A look back at the Elite races of the Koksijde World Cup held on November 24. This year’s course was modified and extended compared with recent editions and the speculation was that it was in order to prevent a certain Dutch rider from lapping too many riders. The modifications worked if that was the intent but of course the outcome in the men’s race was fairly predictable. In the women’s race the Dutch also reigned with Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado taking her first Elite World Cup ahead of four other Dutchwomen. All photos © 2019 Ethan Glading.
The first run-up. Shortly after the hole-shot the women hit the first steep dune. The race is all together but this one obstacle is enough to create a big accordion effect. Faster riders with a bad start position will have a lot of ground to make up.
By the end of the first lap Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado is already on the front of the race followed closely by her compatriot, Yara Kastelijn.
USA Cycling and NWCX Project rider Shannon Mallory remounts at the top of a steep sandy descent. Mallory would go on to finish on the lead lap in her first European World Cup.
Inge van der Heiden runs a long flat sand section. Van der Heiden finished just off the podium in fourth place, contributing to the Dutch domination. Five of the top five finishers were Dutch.
British rider Anna Kay uses the crowd barriers to help her ride a section that many were forced to run. Kay is wearing the skinsuit of the U23 World Cup leader.
Katie Keough remounts on the edge of a serious drop-off. Keough and her husband Luke have relocated to Europe for the bulk of the 2019/2020 Cyclocross season. Keough would go on to finish in 19th place.
Caroline Mani rides over a short but steep climb. Mani has been traveling to all of the World Cups this season and she is in the top ten in the overall standings after five rounds.
Katie Compton shows her prowess at riding the deep sand. Just days before the World Cup Compton hosted the USA Cycling juniors camp at her preferred sand training ground to give them some lessons in how it is done.
World Cup leader Katerina Nash at the finish. Nash finished in 14th and in doing so protected her lead over Anna Kay. Nash currently leads by 40 points.
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado takes the win. As her supporters club looks on.
Amandine Fouquenet is helped by a soigneur from the French Cycling Federation after the finish. Fouquenet left it all on the course for her 33rd place finish.
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado having fun on the podium. After a number of U23 and Elite podiums the victory is her first in a World Cup.
Joris Nieuwenhuis leads the pack into the iconic rolling dunes on lap one. After a strong start Nieuwenhuis would end up in 21st place.
World Cup overall leader Eli Iserbyt runs through the deep sand. Iserbyt finished the race in 13th place and kept his overall lead in the series.
Joris Nuiwenhuis, followed closely by Laurens Sweeck, continues to lead the race as them come over the fly-over for the second time.
The Elite Men make their back through the long rolling dune section for the second time past some Catalonian fans.
Marcel Meisen remounts in a deep sandy corner. Meisen finished seventh in the race.
Drew Juiliano commits to the rut in the deep sand.
Laurens Sweeck shoulders his bike around a corner. Sweeck finished second in the race and is sixth overall in the World Cup.
Mathieu van der Poel wasted no time making his way to the front of the race and rolling away from everyone.
Quentin Hermans leads the Telenet-Baloise chase of van der Poel. Hermans would hang on for a fifth place finish in the race and Toon Aerts would finish third.
Quentin Hermans, Corne van Kessel and Toon Aerts chasing MVDP.
Hairy-legged Max Judelson dismounts on a short steep hill despite having gears on his bike.
World Cup leader Eli Iserbyt on a treacherous descent into a corner.
Spanish champion Felipe Orts crests a dune and prepares for the descent. Orts finished in 26th and was the third non-Benelux rider.
MVDP wins his third Duinencross Koksijde in a row. In 2012, racing in the junior field, he posted the fastest lap of the day, two seconds faster than Sven Nys’s fastest lap in the Elites race.
Tom Pidcock looking overheated at the finish despite the cool temperatures. Pidcock finished the race in 10th place.
David van der Poel after the finish. The elder van der Poel brother finished in 12th place.
Mathieu van der Poel at the end of a long press conference.
Follow Ethan on Instagram at: @thepenultimatestage
