Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2024 [FULL RACE] (U23)

February 3, 2024

Cyclo-Cross World Championships 2024 🇨🇿 – MU23 – Tabor, Czech Republic

After a non-stop cyclo-cross season that has seen two riders dominate, unheralded youngsters come to the fore and huge performances become almost a given, attention finally turns squarely to the most prestigious race of all – the Cyclo-cross World Championships. Dating back to 1950, the UCI CX World Championships event has crowned the best rider in the world for nigh on three-quarters of a century. This year’s event will be the 75th edition of the Worlds

Tibor del Grosso won a first world title of the 2024 UCI Cyclocross World Championships for the Netherlands following a commanding display in the under-23 men’s category.

The under-23 World Cup winner powered away from his opponents on the second lap and built a winning margin of 23 seconds in Tábor

A huge crash on the opening grass section reduced the leading group and ended the hopes of Belgian riders Ward Huybs, Aaron Dockx and the USA’s Andrew Strohmeyer.

Del Grosso was unaffected and took control of the race during the second lap and built an unassailable advantage.

Belgian Emiel Verstrynge was the only rider who challenged del Grosso in the opening laps before fading away and back to fellow countryman Jente Michels in the battle for silver.

Del Grosso had enough time to enjoy his first world title during a lap of honour on the zapping Tábor course.

Behind Verstrynge came from behind to beat countryman Michels in a sprint for second place.

“It was a really tough course and the conditions made it even tougher, I definitely suffered” said Del Grosso.

“It means a lot, it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of to become world champion.

“It’s so cool to accomplish that in such a cool country, I loved it.”

How it unfolded
Despite four Belgian riders starting on the front row it was the Dutch who led the charge away from the line on the asphalt.

Their fast start proved a vital as a crash near the front on the opening grass section resulted in a massive crash.

American Andrew Strohmeyer slid out resulting in the crash involving Belgian hopefuls Ward Huybs and Aaron Dockx while many others, including Frenchman Rémi Lelandais, lost time in the mayhem.

Fellow Belgian riders Verstrynge and Michels avoided the chaos and forced the pace along with Dutch favourite Del Grosso and Frenchman Léo Bisiaux.

Using his strength on the soft ground of Tábor it was Del Grosso who broke the leading group and was joined by Verstrynge after eight minutes of racing.

Despite being put under pressure on the opening lap Michels managed to ride back across to the leading duo, followed by Bisiaux.

After finishing second in last year’s under-23 world championship Del Grosso used his power on the small banks to gap his opponents which would prove to be the winning move.

That attack split the chasing pack as Verstrynge perused the leader six seconds back and Michels in third along with Bisiaux.

Del Grosso clinched the overall under-23 World Cup title after winning four events and was an imperious figure at the front.

Belgian national under-23 champion Verstrynge was the only rider able to challenge the lone leader and sat six seconds back after two laps (20 minutes of racing).

During the third lap Michels used his power on the hardest part of the course to pull clear of Bisiaux in the battle for the podium.

Former European champion in the age category Verstrynge was under pressure as the Dutch leader increased his lead to 14 seconds with two laps remaining.

Meanwhile, Michels was on a charge after gapping Bisiaux and was closing in on second placed Verstrynge.

Under-23 European champion Michels caught fading countryman Verstrynge on the course’s main climb as the pair battled for silver 25 seconds back.

After being caught in the first lap mayhem Frenchman Lelandais was coming through strongly but had lost too much time on the podium contenders.

Taking the last lap bell Del Grosso sat 26 seconds ahead of Belgian pair of Michels and Verstrynge, with Bisiaux a further 46 seconds back.

During the final lap Michels slid out on a tight bend but managed to ride straight back to Verstrynge and the pair battled side by side for silver.

Del Grosso had time to celebrate with the Tábor crowd and enjoy his maiden world cyclo-cross championship crown.

Behind Michels looked to power away from Verstrynge in the closing stages and led out the sprint for silver, only for his countryman to come around him metres before the line.

The opening lap crash victims failed to come close to the podium positions as Lelandais battled back to fifth finishing 1-28 back and behind fellow Frenchman Bisiaux.

Canadian Ian Ackert was sixth and American crash victim Strohmeyer battled back to place 16th.

Results :