Gallery: Cyclo-cross World Championships 2021

Gallery: Cyclo-cross World Championships 2021

We saw four races over the weekend in Oostende, Belgium, where the 2021 UCI Cyclocross World Championships would be decided. Mathieu van der Poel, Wout Van Aert and Lucinda Brand were in action

2021 Annemarie Worst Cyclo-cross Cyclocross Cyclocross World Championships Lucinda Brand Mathieu van der Poel Photos: Joris Knapen Tom Pidcock Toon Aerts Words: Joe Timms Wout Van Aert

A wet and grey Oostende in Belgium was the perfect scene for the 2021 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Mud, sand and unsettled beach shores all contributed to a gritty and hard-fought showcase of cyclo-cross.

Despite the Belgian setting, it would be a weekend for the Dutch who came away with the clean sweep, taking Gold in all four races.

Sunday's Men's Elite race saw yet another chapter written in the unrelenting rivalry between Wout Van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. The duo entered as the two heavy favourites, having dominated the race in recent times. With three jerseys apiece, the winner would claim bragging rights on their adversary.

The two riders were well clear of the field after just one lap, when a mistake on the sand section cost Van der Poel some time. The Dutchman then took a tumble after getting caught in a rut, causing him both further time loss to Van Aert and some blushes.

However, the tables would quickly turn on lap three, when Van der Poel suddenly closed and passed Van Aert at an alarmingly fast rate. It became apparent that this was due to a puncture for Van Aert, who was able to swiftly swap bikes, but the pendulum had already swung back in the Dutchman's favour. 

The race would stay close for a few laps, but Van Aert slowly faded, perhaps disheartened by his unfortunate mechanical. Van der Poel would win by over 30 seconds, earning his fourth rainbow jersey.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock was disappointed to come away with fourth place, missing out on a medal to Belgium’s Toon Aerts despite a late surge. Sunday’s event was also a landmark for Pidcock – it was his last race before officially joining INEOS Grenadier. He now turns his focus to the road season which could kick-off at Omloop het Nieuwsblad.

Related – Wout van Aert: Comeback Kid 
Related – WorldTour team kits 2021 
Related – Tom Pidcock: That's Entertainment

In the Women’s Elite category, Denise Betsema took an early lead for the Netherlands, with Lucinda Brand and Annemarie Worst chasing her down. The three women were neck-and-neck entering the final lap, but the main talking point came when Brand took the inside line attempting to overtake Worst on the final lap – a move which saw Worst hit the deck. An unfortunate way to decide an otherwise enthralling race.

Fem van Empel and Pim Ronhaar won the Women's and Men's U23 races, respectively.

On the ground for Rouleur was photographer Joris Knapen.

Cyclocross World Championships - Sand Section

Cyclocross World Championships

Cyclocross World Championships Start Finish Line

Daniele Betsema
2020 Women's Elite winner Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado would have a difficult race, finishing in 6th place.
Annemarie Worst
Annemarie Worst finished closely behind Brand, taking the Silver medal.
Lucinda Brand wins
Lucinda Brand crossing the finish line to win gold in the Women's Elite category.
Chain
Maghalie Rochette
Maghalie Rochette of Canada would end in 16th place.
Netherlands Flags
A weekend for the Netherlands in Belgium.
Wout Van Aert leading
Wout Van Aert takes the lead ahead of Mathieu van der Poel early on.
Oostende course
Mathieu van der Poel and Wout Van Aert ahead
The seemingly inseparable duo.
Wout Van Aert on the Sand Section
Mathieu van der Poel
Tom Pidcock
Britain's Tom Pidcock finished 4th, unable to catch Toon Aerts despite a late surge.
Mathieu van der Poel crossing the finish line
Mathieu van der Poel crossing the finish line to win his fourth World Championship.
Wout Van Aert disheartened after the race
Wout Van Aert disheartened after the race. The rivalry will now transfer to the road season...
2021 Annemarie Worst Cyclo-cross Cyclocross Cyclocross World Championships Lucinda Brand Mathieu van der Poel Photos: Joris Knapen Tom Pidcock Toon Aerts Words: Joe Timms Wout Van Aert

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