The Spanish Felipe Orts, six-time national cyclocross champion, will return to opt for a place on the podium this Sunday at third round of the World Cup that will take place in Namurwhere will the best specialist in the modality other than Van der Poel and Van Aert.
In this classic event on the world calendar that will take place on the famous, tough and technical circuit of the Citadel of Namur British Tom Pidcock will also not be there to defend the victory in 2023, but the focus will be on the local runners, winners of the two races held so far, Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout.
It will be another test of the World Cup for many riders hoping to aim for the rainbow jersey of the world champion in Liévin (France), on February 2.
The absences of Pidcock, Van der Poel and Van Aert offer more options to the contenders for victory in Namur, with names such as Eli Iserbyt and Michael Vanthourenhout as the leading candidates, both of whom have high morale after sharing victories in Antwerp and Dublin.
Felipe Orts also came excitedlywith a reinforced mentality after achieving his first podium at the Dublin event. The Vila Joiosa cyclist also had to face well-known rivals, such as locals Toon Aerts and Niels Vandeputte.
In Namur The Spanish participation will be extended to three registered cyclists, Orts, Mario Junquera and Emilio Reinoso.
In women’s category will also have luxury participationwith Dutch Fem Van Empel and Lucinda Brand, winners in Antwerp and Dublin.
He The course is one of the toughest in the World Cupand if there is mud, the difficulty of its route will increase with great unevenness, with many rises and falls, a setting also suitable for World Motocross events.
In addition, runners have to face cobbled sections in the Citadel of Namur and the narrow groove known as “the scooter”, where the normal thing is to put the foot on the ground.
Source: La Verdad
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