Van der Poel goes for the sixth rainbow: how to watch the CX World Championships 2024

The Czech town of Tabor is finalizing the details to host the CX World Championship 2024 this weekend. The world championship event is the most special race of the year and the 312 riders who will take part in the battle dream of conquering the rainbow. Van der Poel arrives as the top favorite and aims for his sixth World Championship; while Van Empel will defend the title in the tight women's category.

Where and when to watch the 2024 CX World Championship

The 2024 Cyclocross World Championship will take place in Tabor, Czech Republic, between Friday, February 2 and Sunday, February 4. The broadcasts can be followed -as usual- on Eurosport, Discovery+, Sporza, Flobikes or NOS.

Friday, February 2

12:35 Team Relay

Saturday, February 3

11:05 Women's Junior

12:35 Men's Sub23

14:35 Women's Elite

Sunday, February 4

11:05 Men's Junior

12:35 Women's Sub23

14:35 Men's Elite

Van der Poel seeks the sixth rainbow against Iserbyt, Nieuwenhuis, Van der Haar and company

The cyclocross is counting the days to see the fight that will proclaim this year's World Champion. The highlight of the season; months of competition now reduced to a single race. The riders have managed their efforts with the aim of arriving in top form at the World Championship, which -with the exception of some races- will mark the end of the mud campaign.

The Czech town of Tabor -about 90 kilometers south of the capital- will host the World Championship. The weather forecasts point to a dry race, although Thursday's rain could leave the circuit somewhat muddy, and with cool temperatures that could fluctuate around 5 degrees.

Van der Poel is the undisputed favorite to take the rainbow. The Dutchman's season is near perfection with 12 victories in 13 races contested -he has only let the Benidorm World Cup slip away-. The results are extraordinary, but the way he has achieved them raises the bar even higher, a bar that only he seems to be able to reach.

The superiority he imposed until mid-January has been fading in the last three races. The Benidorm race was followed by two other victories, which were more contested than usual. In fact, he acknowledged some fatigue in Hoogerheide after a weekend full of commitments, although the forecasts suggest that he will recover his best form for this Sunday.

Without Van Aert or Pidcock -already focused on the road-, only a gross error could separate a Van der Poel at his best level from victory. The Orange Beast returns to the place where he donned the first rainbow jersey; nine years later he will seek his sixth World Championship, which would already put him very close to De Vlaeminck's seven.

Despite Van der Poel's favoritism, nothing is written in a sport where the scripts can hide the most unexpected surprises. In fact, some riders have come very close to the Dutchman's level and will squeeze their quadriceps as much as they can to surprise and raise their arms to the sky of Tabor.

Iserbyt -recent World Cup Champion- represents a serious candidacy; the Belgian is smart in management, knows his place and usually saves a good card for the end of the game. Van der Haar has seen all colors and makes regularity his best asset. Nieuwenhuis has been one of the positive notes of the season by showing a fantastic level that catapults him to be among the best.

Ronhaar is another revelation who has also earned the honor of appearing in the pools. Vanthourenhout and Sweeck are a mystery; they are proven riders in the peloton, with a good record but with ups and downs during the season. And Felipe Orts, who will try to extend the sweet moment he is living and could sign a great result.

In addition, other riders of the stature of Nys -who returned to his best version in Hoogerheide- Kamp, Vandeputte, Vandebosch or Khun could also give war.

Another duel between Van Empel, Pieterse, Alvarado and Brand

The women's race will be marked -unless surprised- by the equality that has prevailed in the category when the four favorites have coincided. The battle for the rainbow will be fought on Saturday and will reopen the Van Empel-Pieterse-Alvarado-Brand confrontation that has left so many good moments in previous occasions.

Van Empel starts with a certain advantage: she is completing a spectacular season -17 victories in 19 races-, she is the current holder of the rainbow, although this could also bring extra pressure, she is in good form and always has an extra in case the race is decided in the final sprint.

Both Pieterse and Alvarado must appear on the favorites' poster, although their performance in Hoogerheide -less than a week before the World Championship- left many doubts. Both riders were several steps behind their main rivals and will have to forget their passage through the Dutch mud to recover good sensations.

Brand is the other member of the luxury quartet that has taken most of the season's successes. The experienced rider is in one of her peaks of form and longs to achieve the World Championship that she already won three years ago. On the other hand, an injury relegated Blanka Vas out of the spotlight for almost the entire campaign; however, in Hoogerheide she stood up and was close to taking the victory. The Hungarian comes hungry and brings her teeth sharpened to try to shred her rivals.

In addition, Worst, Bakker, Van der Heijden, Betsema, Casasola or Cant could play a great role.

The CX 2024 World Championships in Tabor will feature 312 riders from 26 different countries.