Rising above the mud

The cyclocross season is in full swing. ‘Cross-crazy fans are packing legendary venues like Zonhoven, Gullegem, and Dendermonde for pints of beer, fries with mayo, and a chance to see their stars up close. Visma | Lease a Bike’s Wout Van Aert and Fem Van Empel, along with CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s Zoe Bäckstedt, are fighting their way through the muddy pack and onto the podium.

WOUT VAN AERT

The 3-time UCI Cyclocross World Champion claimed a pair of victories in Dendermonde and Gullegem, proving he is back with a vengeance after injury cut short his road season. WVA is racing a compressed season this year, choosing to begin his quest for a cobbled classic win on the road as soon as possible.

FEM VAN EMPEL

Despite facing fierce competition, the reigning Cyclocross World Champion has already racked up nine wins, including three rounds of the UCI World Cup series. Fem is building her season toward a defense of her rainbow jersey, and what would be her 3rd title in the muddy discipline.

ZOE BÄCKSTEDT

Last year’s U23 World Champion has clearly stepped up a level this season. Not only is she leading the World Cup U23 standings, she’s battled her way onto two Elite World Cup podiums, and came close to the win at Superprestige Gullegem.

(Image credits Cor Vos & Thomas Mayheux)