Wout van Aert returns today at the Superprestige in Gullegem

Cyclocross races continue in this intense first week of the year. The Gullegem Superprestige will serve to measure Wout van Aert's level in the second of the five stops on his short calendar after making his debut on December 27 in Loenhout, precisely the circuit where Van der Poel suffered the fall that prevented him from participating both in Baal and Koksijde.

Where and how to follow the Gullegem Superprestige

Cyclocross fans are in luck, as Eurosport will once again broadcast live a race in which Wout van Aert will try to take advantage of the absence of his main rival to achieve his first success of the season. A task, however, complicated that subscribers to the thematic channel can enjoy from Eurosport 2, with the option to do so in full and without commercial breaks if the sports extension in MAX has been contracted.

Located in the surroundings of Wevelgem (West Flanders), the small municipality of Gullegem hosts the seventh round of a Superprestige that takes place entirely in Belgium. For those lucky enough to be in the area this Saturday, tickets can be purchased in advance for only €12 on the official tournament channels and €3 more if bought at the box office.

Gullegem Superprestige Schedule

Saturday, January 4

• Women's elite race: 13:40
• Men's elite race: 15:10

Current standings in the Superprestige Tournament

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With only two scoring events left, Gullegem this Saturday and the finale in Middelkerke on February 8, Belgian Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Deceuninck) leads the elite standings of the Superprestige, although with only a 5-point advantage over Dutchman Lars van der Haar (Baloise Glowi Lions) and 14 points ahead of his compatriot Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon), winner this Friday on the dunes of Koksijde. Alicante's Felipe Orts (Ridley Racing Team), who will be competing again, is in fifth place, but further from the lead.

Maximum excitement in the women's category, as only 1 point separates Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Alpecin-Deceuninck) from Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions), so the Gullegem round could be crucial in the outcome of the tournament. It is worth noting that the top fifteen finishers in each competition score points, with the winner receiving the maximum of 15 points and decreasing linearly to the fifteenth cyclist to cross the finish line.

Opportunity for victory for Van Aert

Although he will have to face much more experienced opponents during this cyclocross season, Wout van Aert's innate class means that the Belgian from Visma | Lease a Bike should not be ruled out of the fight for victory in Gullegem. Fourth in Loenhout, WvA will have the advantage of one more week of training after making his competitive debut after more than three months off.

After overcoming the spectacular sand dunes of Koksijde, a much more traditional circuit returns, although far from boring. It is a grassy track, always marked by the possible appearance of rain and the consequent mud, enough to toughen the race and give it greater spectacle.