The Big Picture | Polderscross Kruibeke

Sauces sweep with van Empel and Vanthourenhout

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, Polderscross returns to open both the Belgian CX season and the newly rebranded Exact Cross Series (formerly Ethias Cross). Traditional opener Lokeren gave up the spot as they will host the Belgian National championships this season.

There were a lot of open questions as the elite fields toed the lines in Kruibeke and by the end of the day none of them were truly answered. In the elite women's race and in her post-race interview, Fem van Empel threw down an imperious performance finishing 1:11 ahead of Anne-Marie Worst and Denise Betsema. It seems safe to assume she won't repeat such a display week after week given the parity and depth of the women's field.

Marion Norbert-Riberolle, one of many riders flying new colors in 2022-23. © Ethan Glading

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Marie Schreiber already has two wins on the season. In Kruibeke she got the hole shot but only managed 6th in the end. © Ethan Glading

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Eventual 2nd-place finisher Anne-Marie Worst leads Fem van Empel early in the race. © Ethan Glading

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Denise Betsema had some issues in the race but still managed to land solidly on the podium. © Ethan Glading

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A polder is a low-lying area of land reclaimed from the sea. A large berm along the north end of the course provides lots of opportunities for ride-run-ups and off-cambers. © Ethan Glading

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Worst still shadowing van Empel as they exit the pit area. © Ethan Glading

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One of the best spots on the course to watch the action attracted many of the spectators. Unfortunately, after 2 years off and with rain in the forecast, many chose to watch on TV. © Ethan Glading

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Maud Kaptheijns struggles to get her chain back on. She did not finish the race. © Ethan Glading

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No major changes to Sanne Cant’s kit. © Ethan Glading

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French rider Hèlene Clauzel on her way to a 6th-place finish. © Ethan Glading

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We are still in the green part of the CX season. Brown and gray coming soon. © Ethan Glading

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Aniek van Alphen finished in 5th place. (4th Dutch) © Ethan Glading

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Fem van Empel takes the W in Kruibeke. © Ethan Glading

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The men's race was a more competitive affair. Michael Vanthourenhout did manage to escape the pack though on a course and in conditions that suited him well, making it two-for-two for the Pauwels Sauzen Bingoal team.. His teammate Eli Iserbyt and former teammate Laurens Sweeck rounded out the podium. In related news Sweeck's fan club colors finally match his kit again.

One of the long off-cambers that characterize this course. Yentl Bekaert opts for the low-to-high line. © Ethan Glading

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Tom Meeusen keeping an eye on Lukas Vanderlinden. © Ethan Glading

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In other news, polders are wet. © Ethan Glading

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Michael Vanthourenhout checking out the competition. © Ethan Glading

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Victor van de Putte chasing Ward Huybs. © Ethan Glading

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The podium. But not in that order. © Ethan Glading

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Lukas Vanderlinden crests the run-up. © Ethan Glading

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Lander Loockx on the tricky downhill-off-camber-into-an-uphill-off-camber. © Ethan Glading

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The Lions just missed out on the podium with Lars van der Haar in 4th. © Ethan Glading

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Michael Vanthourenhout wins the modder. © Ethan Glading

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Lots of good cyclocross faces at the finish.© Ethan Glading

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Belgian first year U23 Kenay De Moyer after the finish.© Ethan Glading

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The actual poidium in the correct order. © Ethan Glading