Tomorrow (Sunday, October 3rd, 2021) kicks off one of the world's top cyclocross series, the Telenet Superprestige. This European-based series takes place annually in Belgium and the Netherlands and for many riders, makes up some of the most important races on their calendar.
Let's take a look at live streaming information, favored riders, and the venues for the 2021/22 season.
2021/22 Superprestige Cyclocross live stream information*
Earlier in 2021, there were some concerns that the Superprestige would not be shown in the USA at all this year. The races did not appear on the streaming calendar of GCN+, FloBikes, Peacock, etc. Fortunately GCN+ came through and recently added them to their broadcast calendar for USA customers, so we'll be able to watch the entire 2021/22 Superprestige series in English on GCN+.
* this information is for viewers in the USA. Coverage elsewhere in the world varies.
2021/22 Superprestige dates, calendar, and locations
The 2021/22 Superprestige circuit hits these venues, many of which are already well-known and familiar:
Gieten - October 3rd, 2021
Ruddervoorde - October 23, 2021
Niel - November 11, 2021
Merkplas - November 20, 2021
Boom - December 4, 2021
Heusden-Zolder - December 27, 2021
The cyclocross circuit typically shares a little of the auto/moto racing track in this region.
Diegem - December 29, 2021
Gavere - Feb 12, 2022
Favored riders to watch
Several key riders are expected to make their cyclocross season debut at the opening Superprestige round from Gieten. Here are some to keep an eye on this season:
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Lucinda Brand, who most recently competed in the world championship road race, makes her cyclocross season debut in the rainbow stripes. After Gieten, it's off to the USA for the 3 North American World Cup rounds. Is she taking 'cross seriously? She skipped the first-ever women's edition of Paris-Roubaix, a prestigious race she could have excelled in, to focus 100% on cyclocross. You be the judge.
- Thibau Nys (son of the legend, Sven Nys) is fresh off his U23 European championship road race victory and is expected to start in the combined Elite Men and U23 field. Can he be impactful? Massive talent, but still very young. Let's see if he can hold up under the pressure of the incredibly heavy 'cross race calendar his team has laid out.
- Sanne Cant is another rider under the microscope beginning her season this weekend. Are the best years in the rearview mirror for the 3x World Champ? Or can the Belgian still uncork something special and return to the podium which has of late been dominated by the Dutch?
2020/21 results
In the previous season, some familiar names found the podium for the overall. Both the Elite Men and Women's overall title was won by a hair with small gaps between the riders.
Toon Aerts (99 points) narrowly defeated Eli Iserbyt (97 points) for the overall title, with Michael Vanthourenhout (94 points) placing 3rd overall.
On the Elite Women's side, Lucinda Brand capped an amazing season in which she also won the world title, narrowly holding off another former world champ, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado by just 2 points. Denise Betsema held on to 3rd.