Dublin 2022 CX World Cup: favourites, times and how to watch the event

The CX World Cup lands in Dublin this weekend for the ninth round of the season. The absence of Van der Poel (on a training camp with his team) shouldn't spoil a race that will have its main attractions in watching a more experienced Van Aert, a Pidcock wanting to redeem himself after a discreet result in Antwerp and the fight for the general classification.

How is the situation ahead of the CX World Cup in Dublin 2022?

The last race in Antwerp was one of the most special events of the year. The Belgian city brought the three biggest names in the sport together again after a long wait.

Van der Poel gave his rivals no chance with a pace that only he could follow and signed an uncontested victory. Van Aert made his comeback with a creditable second place that can give us an idea of what he will be able to do when he is more experienced. The disappointment was Pidcock, who finished eighth after always swimming against the tide after a bad start that caused him to lose many positions.

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However, the late return to the mud of these three riders left them out of contention for the overall classification. From now on, in the second half of the season, every point scored by the riders at the top of the standings will be very important.

In Antwerp Sweek (236 points) increased his overall lead by two points. In second place is Iserbyt (230 points), who impressed at the start of the campaign with three victories in a row. It is to be expected that the two will be neck-and-neck in the battle between them until the end of the season.

Vanthourenhout (204 points) is the other potential title contender, although he already has a significant points gap. Van der Haar (183 points) is the best-placed Dutch rider, in fourth place overall, but too far behind the top riders. The top 5 is completed by Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Vandepute (139 points).

Favourites to win in Dublin

Dublin is the chosen venue for Ireland to host a CX World Cup race for the first time. Despite the typical rain that usually falls on the island, only a few drops are expected on Thursday, so it is estimated that the races will be held in dry conditions.

Van Aert and Pidcock are among the favourites. Both will be motivated to achieve a great result. The Belgian will have taken note of everything he experienced on his comeback in Antwerp, while Pidcock will try to fight for victory after last weekend's eighth place.

The big absence will be Van der Poel, who will be concentrating with his team. It remains to be seen whether Sweek, Iserbyt, Vanthourenhout or Van der Haar will be able to stand up to Van Aert or Pidcock and fight them for the victory, after the official confirmation that all of them will be in Dublin. In any case, we will have to keep the calculator close to see how the race will affect the general classification.

On the other hand, the women's category will have an extra attraction in Dublin. Van Empel (290 points) is well ahead of second-placed Pieterse (195 points) in the overall standings.

However, Pieterse has been performing well in recent races, so it is likely that the fight for victory in Dublin will be between her and Van Empel, winner in Antwerp. Beyond these two riders, Pauline Ferrand Prevot will try to prove that she is in good shape after retiring in Antwerp (her first CX World Cup race this season).

When and how to watch CX World Cup Dublin 2022

The CX World Cup races can be followed on Eurosport, on its Eurosport Player apps and the GCN+ platform. The women's category will start at 12:40 (Irish time) and the men's category at 14:10 (Irish time).