World Cup CX Namur 2024: schedules, favorites, how to watch

After the suspension due to weather conditions of the race that was supposed to have taken place a few days ago on the island of Sardinia, the CX World Cup resumes next Sunday, December 15th with one of the most classic and spectacular circuits in international cyclocross in the stunning citadel of the Belgian town of Namur.

Schedules and how to watch the Namur CX World Cup

Without a doubt, Namur is one of the most beloved cyclocross circuits in Belgium and always gives us extremely tough and spectacular races. First, because of its location, on the slopes of the citadel that crowns the Walloon city of Namur, and secondly because the mud in industrial quantities is usually a regular feature of the races held here, which, combined with the steep slopes of the circuit, both uphill and downhill, makes this a race where only the most technical riders can be at the front.

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Taking place in Belgium, the Namur race will have the usual World Cup schedules next Sunday, December 8th:

• 9:30 - First year male U17 race
• 10:30 - Second year male U17 race
• 12:00 - Male U19 race
• 13:40 - Women's Elite race
• 15:10 - Men's Elite race

As throughout the entire 2024 CX World Cup, although the broadcast is on Eurosport, it can only be followed through the Max platform so if you are not subscribers to it, you will have to settle for the race summary that the UCI usually publishes the day after on their YouTube channel, where you can also watch live in countries without a broadcasting rights channel.

Many contenders for victory in Namur, one of the most selective races on the calendar

The suspension of Sardinia has been a blessing for the cyclists who had decided to skip the Italian race, such as Thibau Nys who will try to straighten out his poor start to the CX World Cup after finishing far from the front in Antwerp and having to abandon in Dublin after a nasty fall.

Furthermore, the Namur race will feature all the usual protagonists of cyclocross, except, of course, Van Aert, Van der Poel, and Pidcock.

Both Eli Iserbyt and Michael Van Thourenhout have shown in the first two races to be the most solid riders, and in fact, they are currently at the top of the overall standings. However, as we have also seen in the initial races, there are many riders who currently have a sufficient level to potentially win in Namur.

Among them, it is inevitable to mention Felipe Orts who in Dublin achieved his best ever classification in a CX World Cup race and seems to be growing and gaining more control over the race pace and reading different situations. In Dublin, he was able to endure and reach the podium when almost everyone had counted him out for the top positions. Besides, Namur is an extremely technical circuit where a rider like him can take advantage, although, in return, the great toughness of the race may work against him.

The Belgian Toon Aerts has shown himself to be another great sufferer and race dynamo, so he must be considered for victory. Against him is the expenditure of energy he made in the previous race, closing all the gaps, which may have limited him at the decisive moment when he couldn't close the gap that gave Vanthourenhout the victory.

Laurens Sweeck is another rider to always keep an eye on, especially after his huge month of November, although in Dublin he couldn't quite catch up to a race where he was chasing the leading group all day without being able to catch them. In any case, if he fails again, Corendon-Crelan has shown that they have another good card in the form of Joran Wyseure, another rider who featured in the Irish race.

As for the women, the suspension of Sardinia has also been an unexpected help for one of the main favorites like Fem van Empel, who was concentrated with Visma-Lease a Bike last week for the road season.

Once again, the Namur race should offer us another exciting duel between her and Lucinda Brand, who will try to repeat the victory in Dublin.

Also on the list of participants in Namur is another leading figure in women's cyclocross who was going to skip the Sardinia race, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, who should start showing herself among the best after a not-so-brilliant start to the CX World Cup.