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- Just Missed a Medal for Joris at the World Championships in Liévin, Felipe Finishes 12th
Last Sunday, the Cyclocross World Championships took place in Liévin, France. Under a beautiful winter sun, it turned into a true festival of the sport, featuring all the great champions of the discipline. Joris Nieuwenhuis ultimately just missed out on a medal, but after his long recovery period, this still feels like a small victory. Felipe secured a 12th-place finish. In the Pas-de-Calais region, spectators witnessed a one-man show from Mathieu van der Poel. Joris was briefly held up at the start but quickly managed to gain positions. After one lap, he was already riding in third place, with Felipe just two spots behind. From the back of the field, Wout van Aert powered his way through and overtook this group. Photo: Billy Lebelge What followed was a battle between Joris and Thibau Nys for the final podium spot. In the closing phase, the Belgian proved to be the stronger of the two. Joris finished in 4th place—an impressive result considering it was only his fifth cyclocross race of the season. After being forced to postpone his debut for the team for so long this winter, this performance truly feels like a victory. Further back, Felipe was fighting for a spot in the top ten. In the end, he came up against riders who had just a bit more freshness in their legs and had to settle for 12th place. After a long season, a period of rest will certainly be welcome, but first, Felipe aims to secure his 5th place in the Superprestige standings. The final round will take place this Saturday in Middelkerke. Photo: Billy Lebelge
- Fully back after a tough journey: Joris Nieuwenhuis on the podium in the World Cup
A beautiful moment last Saturday after the World Cup race in Maasmechelen: father Laurens Nieuwenhuis with a wide smile and a pat on the back for his son Joris. The latter had just crossed the line in third place and joined Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert on the podium. This marks the full comeback of our Dutch team leader after a tough and challenging period. For a long time, it seemed like it wouldn’t be Joris’s winter. He was struck by shingles and had to watch from the sidelines as his teammates from Ridley Racing Team made a name for themselves. His debut in the World Cup race in Antwerp was postponed, and in the end, he could only return to competition at the Dutch Championship. Unexpectedly, he took home the bronze medal in Oisterwijk. Rising form Despite a disastrous start in Benidorm, Joris managed to secure an eighth place in his first World Cup race of the season. In Maasmechelen, he had a great start and even briefly took the lead. When Van der Poel unleashed his fury, Joris stuck to his own pace. Wout van Aert also accelerated beyond the Dutchman’s limits, but behind them, Joris proved to be the strongest. Third place was the best he could achieve. The following day in Hoogerheide, Joris slipped a few times but ultimately finished in eighth place. This performance gave him confidence for the upcoming World Championships in Liévin, his main goal for this season. Felipe 8th in World Cup Felipe managed to secure a top 10 finish in the World Cup this weekend. On Saturday, he didn’t have the best luck in Maasmechelen. Early in the race, he had to deal with a flat tire. The Spaniard fought his way back up the field, but made a few mistakes and finished in 15th place. Afterward, he felt some discomfort in his left hip and applied ice to the injury in the evening. In Hoogerheide, Felipe was still feeling the effects of his fall the previous day. In the end, he finished 14th, which was enough for 8th place in the overall standings. Felipe is maintaining the positive feeling from Saturday as he looks towards the World Championships, where he hopes to match or surpass his best-ever performance (last year he finished 10th)!
- Seven in a Row! Felipe Extends His Spanish Title Streak!
Sunday, January 12, was a crucial day for the team, with three different national championships on the calendar. Felipe Orts claimed his seventh consecutive Spanish title in As Pontes, while Joris Nieuwenhuis made his debut for the Ridley Racing Team and immediately secured a bronze medal at the Dutch National Championship in Oisterwijk. Meanwhile, Daan Soete battled his way to an impressive top-10 finish in Zolder. Plenty of positives to carry forward into the rest of the season! Understandably, all eyes in A Coruña were on Felipe. Earlier this season, he had already taken second place at the European Championship in the northwest of Spain. In the Galician mud, our Spanish star put on a masterclass. By the end, he had nearly lapped the entire field. His closest rival crossed the finish line almost a minute and a half behind the winner. For Joris, it was a special day for several reasons. First and foremost, it marked his debut with the team. After months on the sidelines due to shingles and the need for full recovery, he is clearly back on the rise. In Oisterwijk, he fought hard with Tibor Del Grosso and Pim Ronhaar for the title. Ultimately, he had to concede to his opponents, but the bronze medal was a rewarding consolation prize! Finally, Daan lined up at the iconic Circuit Zolder for the Belgian National Championship. His start was less than ideal, but he managed to hang on with the second group. Eventually, he even bridged the gap to the leaders before settling into his own rhythm. In the final lap, a top-10 spot was still up for grabs. Thanks to his powerful engine and a long sprint, Daan clinched this admirable result in the end. Copyright: David Pintens (Golazo) Road Season Kicks Off In Australia, Nicole Frain made her debut for the team—not in cyclocross, but in the Australian National Road Championship. The 2022 champion showed her strong form, finishing in 17th place. Later this week, she will compete in the Tour Down Under, representing the national team.
- Nicole Frain launches new campaign with Australian Road Championships & Tour Down Under
Next Sunday, January 12th, Nicole Frain will make her debut for Ridley Racing Team. She will line up for the Australian Road Championships in the heart of Perth. Following this, she will also participate in the Santos Tour Down Under, the very first race on the Women's World Tour calendar. This ensures Ridley Racing Team immediately competes at the highest level on the road. Ridley Racing Team aims to combine various cycling disciplines to create added value for its riders. Later this season, Nicole will focus on major gravel classics, but she also wants to build a strong foundation through a tailored road racing program. Additionally, she holds fond memories of the Australian Road Championships. In 2022, she made an all-or-nothing move with a late attack and claimed the title solo. That's why Nicole will be at the start line of her national championship on January 12th. The riders will cover 109 kilometers that day. Last year, she finished fifth in this prestigious race, which serves as the first notable event on the cycling calendar. National Team Ridley Racing Team does not have a full road racing roster. Nevertheless, Nicole expressed her ambition to compete in the Santos Tour Down Under. Last year, she finished 10th in the general classification, a proud achievement in front of her home crowd. Through the Australian national team, Nicole will have the opportunity to start this stage race. Ridley Racing Team is thrilled with this opportunity, which allows Nicole to gain essential racing rhythm. The Tour Down Under takes place from January 17th to 19th. On January 24th, Nicole will also participate in RADL GRVL, an Australian gravel classic where she narrowly missed victory last year, finishing second behind compatriot Brodie Chapman. After her Australian campaign, Nicole will travel to Belgium. Together with her teammates, she will then focus on the world's biggest gravel classics.
- Felipe and Daan Collect Top Finishes During the Festive Season
The past two weeks have been incredibly busy in the cyclocross world. Over the span of just 16 days, Felipe competed in no fewer than eight races, while Daan took part in five. Both riders managed to secure several impressive top finishes. This week, they are building towards the national championships, where Joris Nieuwenhuis will also make his return to racing. Felipe Shines in UCI World Cup Felipe is defending strong standings in both the UCI World Cup and the Superprestige series, which is why he focused heavily on these events. In Hulst, he delivered a fantastic performance, finishing second after an exciting duel with Niels Vandeputte. However, the sandy courses of Zonhoven (23rd) and Mol (8th) proved to be less suited to his style. On Boxing Day in Gavere (19th), Felipe's bike frame broke in two after a crash. He had to fight his way back into the race after this major setback. In Besançon, our Spanish favorite reconnected with a top-10 finish, and he continued this positive trend in Diegem (8th) and Gullegem (7th) despite increasing fatigue. The challenging mud race in Dendermonde was a tough finale to an intense period, but Felipe managed to secure a respectable 12th place. He currently stands 7th in the UCI World Cup and 5th in the Superprestige. In Galicia, he hopes to claim his seventh consecutive Spanish national title. Daan in the Spotlight After claiming the Belgian beach race title, Daan was riding high. In the sandy course of Mol, he felt completely at home, securing an impressive 9th place – his best result of the season in a major series race. In Loenhout, his close friend Wout van Aert made his cyclocross return, and Daan wasn’t going to miss out on the action. He finished in 12th place. Daan then placed 19th in Diegem and kicked off 2025 with a strong performance in Baal. After an excellent start, he boldly took the lead in the opening lap. In the end, he crossed the finish line in 11th place, a result he repeated in his beloved Koksijde. National Championships Await Daan is now preparing for the Belgian Championships, set to take place in Zolder, Limburg. Meanwhile, Joris Nieuwenhuis will represent the team at a third location, defending his title in Oisterwijk while also making his debut for the team. Joris has spent the winter fighting his way back to full fitness and has worked incredibly hard to be race-ready again. Fingers crossed for three stellar performances!
- Sandman Daan Soete crowns himself Belgian beach race champion
Our sandman Daan Soete crowned himself Belgian beach race champion last Sunday in Bredene! Ridley Racing Team aims to shine in all off-road disciplines, and when the rider from the Kempen showed interest in this championship, we ensured he had a true beach racer at his disposal. After 57 kilometers of battling the wind, Daan had the strongest final sprint. It’s also the first title for Ridley Racing Team. Daan has always had a special connection with sand throughout his career. Every year, he looks forward to sandy cyclocross races like Koksijde, Lille, and Oostmalle. It’s no coincidence that in early 2018, he stood on the podium of the Belgian Championship in Koksijde, alongside his close friend Wout van Aert and Laurens Sweeck. That was his only podium finish among the pros, but as a junior and under-23 rider, he claimed the tricolor jersey once in each category. After multiple podium finishes at the Belgian Mountain Bike Championship and a silver medal in the Belgian Gravel Championship earlier this year, he set his sights on the Belgian Beach Race Championship. Remarkably, he had never before participated in a race within this discipline. "It should suit me well, especially if there are a few technical zones where you can make a difference," he said last week during course reconnaissance. Thick tires Daan completed his reconnaissance on his brand-new beach racer. When he announced his ambition to compete in the championship and it became clear he had no World Cup cyclocross obligations, we immediately sprang into action. "I was able to assemble my beach racer myself. I communicated my preferences to mechanic Karel Lenaers, and the result was fantastic. The lightweight design is particularly impressive. It takes some getting used to because on a cyclocross bike, you can steer very quickly. On a beach racer – where you ride long straight stretches – it feels a bit stiffer. The focus here is, of course, on aerodynamics, which is why we also use a drop bar instead of a flat handlebar." When choosing tire pressure, Daan relied on his cyclocross experience. "I only put 0.7 bar in them. It does mean you risk hitting the rim on the breakwaters, but luckily, those in Bredene are in good shape." Daan's beach racer uses the frame of the Probe RS, Ridley's hardtail mountain bike. The final piece of the puzzle was executing the right race strategy. Filip Meirhaeghe, himself a former winner of the prestigious beach race in De Panne, advised Daan to stay sheltered and conserve as much energy as possible against the wind. The rider from Grobbendonk followed this advice. He survived the initial selection and saved his final move for the absolute final phase. In doing so, he gained several bike lengths on his last rival, Jasper Dejaegher, and held onto that lead until the finish line. Offroad dominance Ridley Racing Team is, of course, extremely proud of this national title. The team aims to excel in every off-road discipline, and this championship was a great opportunity. This winter, Daan will follow an exciting cyclocross program, and later this year, he will also participate in some top-level gravel races. The tricolor jersey is a wonderful conclusion to 2024 and great motivation heading into 2025! Need more sand?
- Joris Nieuwenhuis works towards Dutch Championship: “My body was disrupted, now I finally feel like a rider again”
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Joris Nieuwenhuis. The Dutch champion from Ridley Racing Team was struck by shingles, and his body needed weeks to recover. During his last training week in Spain, he was able to increase the intensity again. “We will monitor my situation weekly, and if things continue to improve, I will celebrate my return at the Dutch Championship,” he said. Nieuwenhuis was struck by the virus just before the cyclocross season. Initially, he hoped to recover in time for the World Cup, but that proved impossible. “At that time, we hadn't fully realized how severe the blow was to my health. I was sicker than expected, and upon my return, my level was just extremely low. In training, we noticed things weren’t improving. In consultation with the team, we then took drastic measures.” No World Cup at the end of November for Nieuwenhuis, but instead an extensive training camp in Spain. He trained in Alicante together with Gijs Leemreize, Floortje Mackaij, Thomas Dekker, Femke Gerritse, and Lorena Wiebes. “My parameters were closely monitored, and little by little, they improved. Before that, I noticed I never recovered from intense efforts. A day after training, I always felt worse, and presumably, the cold also drained me further.” Spanish Sun “Under the Spanish sun, everything went well. Initially, it was more about cycling than actual training. I spent three weeks working on my base fitness, and now I have reached a level I can build on. Last week, Richard Groenendaal decided we could increase the intensity. These tests went well, and my values are improving. Saturday morning, I will head home, and I will do so with a good feeling. I finally feel like a rider again.” This Friday, Nieuwenhuis also took the time to make a preliminary plan for the coming weeks with Groenendaal. “Because everything is progressing well, Richard can now make adjustments more quickly. I hope to defend my title at the Dutch Championship. That remains tentative, but we are hopeful. Of course, I cannot express concrete ambitions for my first races. I don’t know what to expect and will be happy with any small success or step forward I can take.” Team Successes In the meantime, the Dutchman saw his teammates have a great season. “I was incredibly happy with Felipe's performances. He’s having a fantastic season and also took some pressure off me to return. Thanks to him, the team was in the spotlight every weekend. After each impressive performance, I would send him a message. I also have a great relationship with Daan, and we often caught up.” Nieuwenhuis will spend the holidays in his familiar surroundings in his home country. He will sit at the festive table with a small smile: “Things are going in the right direction, and that’s a relief after a difficult period.” Photo: Photo News
- ‘Sandman’ Daan Soete chases fourth different Belgian Championship podium in beach racing: "Very curious to see where I'll end up"
Although Daan Soete was born and raised in Grobbendonk, there’s a beach lover hidden within the son of the Kempen region—at least when he can swap the cooler and inflatable boat for a bike. In 2012, he finished 5th at the Cyclocross World Championships for juniors in Koksijde, and six years later, he claimed bronze on the same ground at the Belgian Championships among the pros. That was one of the three disciplines in which Daan has already stood on the Belgian Championship podium. On Sunday, the count could reach four, as he will compete in the Belgian Beach Race Championships in Bredene: “The road racers will also be in good shape, but I’ll give it my all!” Even in the Kempen, there’s plenty of sand to be found, allowing Daan to hone his skills on this terrain. Each year, he looks forward to sandy cyclocross races like Koksijde, Lille, and Oostmalle. It’s no coincidence that it was also in Koksijde that he stood on the Belgian Championship podium in early 2018, alongside close friend Wout van Aert and Laurens Sweeck. That was his only podium among the pros, while as a novice and junior, he claimed the tricolore jersey once in each category. Daan is now much more than just a cyclocross rider. He has already stood on the podium of the Belgian Mountain Bike Championships three times, a discipline in which he was also Belgian champion as a novice. In 2022, Daan crowned himself as the first-ever Belgian champion in mountain bike short track. “He always combined that with cyclocross,” recalls national coach Filip Meirhaeghe. “We traveled together often, and I’m still convinced that the combination is possible.” In recent years, Daan has, of course, discovered a new love: gravel racing. He has grown attached to it and, with his strong engine, has shown a natural talent for it. At the beginning of May, he rode straight to a silver medal in the Belgian Gravel Championships. This way, Daan has already stood on the podium at Belgian Championships in three different disciplines. “I thought I was pretty unique in that,” Daan smiles, “but Filip just told me that besides mountain biking (in two events), he also has medals in cyclocross (as a youth) and even stood on the podium once in the Belgian Madison Championships.” Difference from a Cyclocross Bike It doesn’t make him any less ambitious for Sunday, where he’ll be riding an actual beach racer. “I was able to communicate my preferences directly to Ridley mechanic Karel Lenaers, and I’m very pleased with the result! The lightweight frame is especially impressive. It takes some getting used to because on a cyclocross bike, you can steer very quickly, while on a beach racer – where the focus is on long, straight stretches – the handling feels a bit stiffer. The emphasis here is on aerodynamics, which is why we use a drop bar instead of a flat handlebar.” National coach Filip Meirhaeghe had already guessed that his colleague wouldn’t inflate his tires to even one bar. “0.7 bar,” the rider from Kempen confirms. “That’s very low, but it allows you to glide through the sand effectively. As a cyclocross rider, I’m used to playing with tire pressure. However, it does increase the risk of hitting the rim on breakwaters. Luckily, the ones here aren’t too bad. I’ve already tried a few beaches today, and the breakwaters elsewhere are often worse.” “The course mainly runs along the coastline, but we do occasionally veer into the dunes. Normally, I can handle sand sections quite well. Earlier, I tested one of those sections and managed to ride through it. The question is, of course, what condition these stretches will be in on Sunday. There’s also a group of recreational riders participating, and they might ‘break up’ these sections by running through them. Making a new track costs a lot of energy, so we might have to dismount as well.” A Fun Outing Last year, the riders of The Wolfpack dominated the podium, with Tim Merlier taking the tricolor jersey ahead of outgoing champion Jordi Warlop and Bert Van Lerberghe. With Yves Lampaert, the team has a fourth strong contender, and powerful riders like Tim Declercq and Timothy Dupont are also formidable opponents in this discipline. “It’ll be tough to compete against such a strong team on my own, so I’ll need to use my energy wisely,” Daan acknowledges. “The wind always plays a crucial role. Especially with side winds, you really need to be skilled at riding in echelons.” The Belgian Beach Race Championship is, in any case, a fun outing at the start of a busy holiday season. “I’ll continue racing until the Belgian Championships in Zolder. After that, I’ll take a bit of rest and then prepare for the gravel season. Santa Vall is the first race on the calendar. It was great to compete in some World Cups and achieve some nice results, like my top 10 finishes at Heerderstrand and in the Urban Cross in Kortrijk. However, we all notice how high the level in cyclocross has become. Especially the depth in the subtop is growing, and with so much Belgian talent, it’s challenging to fight for a spot in the selections.” So, onward to the gravel season, but first a day at the Belgian coast. “It’s a beautiful discipline, and I’m glad to be part of it! With the Ridley Racing Team, we really want to establish ourselves as an off-road team, and it’s great to leave our mark here as well.” The race on Sunday starts at 11 a.m., with elite riders covering 60 kilometers (consisting of six laps). “We should finish in just under two hours,” Daan predicts.
- Nicole Frain Joins Ridley Racing Team with an Eye on Gravel Classics
Ridley Racing Team has strengthened its lineup with Australian gravel cyclist Nicole Frain. The 32-year-old former Australian road champion will compete in gravel classics in 2025, following a successful season that saw her secure second-place finishes in The Gralloch and Houffa Gravel. Frain aims to take her career to the next level with Ridley Racing Team and develop her versatility further. In mid-October, Ridley Racing Team introduced itself to the press as a squad of four riders (Felipe Orts, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Daan Soete, and Lore Sas). It was immediately evident that the team planned to expand further to achieve its ambitions. Ridley Racing Team seeks to excel across all disciplines, both in men’s and women’s events, making Frain an ideal fit. Frain hails from Tasmania, an island southeast of Australia. She began cycling only in 2018, debuted in Europe three years later at Paris-Roubaix, and spent five years in the professional road peloton. Her most significant victory came in January 2022 when she won the Australian National Championships, outpacing Grace Brown. Frain also competed in the inaugural edition of the revamped Tour de France Femmes. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit led her to gravel racing last season, where she excelled with second-place finishes in the RADL GRVL, The Gralloch, Gravel Grit ’n Grind, and Houffa Gravel. She also claimed victory in the opening stage of the Tour de Charente-Maritime Féminin, demonstrating her ability to balance multiple disciplines effectively. "The combination of Nicole’s talent and our staff’s expertise could lead to an incredible journey. We will support her across disciplines, hoping that transitioning between terrains helps her grow as a complete rider." - Rik Verbrugghe (General Manager) Right Team at the Right Time Frain’s arrival aligns with Ridley Racing Team’s vision. “The team’s approach to cycling and its objectives align closely with mine,” said Frain. “That’s why I was thrilled when they approached me. I love the philosophy of combining all disciplines—it’s one of the first teams to take such a comprehensive approach to off-road racing.” “I only truly discovered gravel racing in 2024, and since then, I’ve wanted to progress further,” Frain continued. “The interest from RRT came at the perfect moment. I’m excited about debuting in milestone events like The Traka, Unbound, and The Rift, which promises a unique experience at a special location. After finishing as a runner-up so often last year, I hope to take another step forward.” “I also want to develop as a rider. Cyclocross is entirely new for me, and it’s a very challenging discipline to master. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m surrounded by the best people and am eager to give it my all!” Although Frain’s background is in road cycling, her focus in 2025 will be off-road. “The expertise of the team’s sporting staff will be invaluable as I refine my gravel and road racing techniques. I also plan to compete in some UCI road races to maintain my condition and speed.” Frain will begin her season in Australia with the national championships and RADL GRVL. The rest of her schedule will be determined in collaboration with the team, with plans to debut in The Traka and Unbound. The season will culminate with the Gravel World Championships in Nice. "Nicole has already shown she has the physical ability to deliver top performances. We will fully support her gravel racing journey, honing her technical skills. Cyclocross is in our team’s DNA, and we are ready to help her in this discipline as well. It’s exciting to have a top-tier female rider on the team. Moreover, Nicole’s experience will make her an excellent mentor for Lore." - Richard Groenendaal (Sporting Director)
- First World Cup Podium for Felipe in Dublin!
Felipe Orts achieved a new milestone this past weekend! For the first time in his career, he stood on the podium of a World Cup race. In Dublin, he was part of a lead group of six riders going into the final lap. In a nail-biting finale, he pushed through to secure third place. Felipe now ranks sixth in the overall standings. No time for Guinness at the Temple Bar, as the cyclocross riders competed outside the city center. Thanks to the sun and wind, the course remained relatively dry and fast. Felipe started from the front row and was among the first riders entering the field. Although briefly delayed by a crash at the barriers, he quickly returned to the front of the race. Six riders stood out in Ireland: Michael Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt, Joran Wyseure, Pim Ronhaar, Toon Aerts, and Felipe. Several riders attempted attacks, but ultimately, the group of six entered the final lap together. Felipe gambled by switching to Rhino tires (with a coarse tread), allowing him to climb into the top three. Michael Vanthourenhout rewarded himself with a stunning victory, with Toon Aerts sprinting past Felipe for second place. Our Spanish team leader now moves up to sixth in the World Cup standings. This podium finish marks another achieved goal in what has already been a highly successful season. Daan Soete also lined up in Dublin. Starting from further back, he narrowly missed connecting with the leading group. He ultimately finished 18th, earning 44 UCI points—a significant boost for him. Previously at just 14 points due to bad luck, this result represents a major leap in his UCI ranking. “I didn’t have my best legs of the past weeks. On a course that suits me quite well, I found that a bit disappointing. Now, 10 days of endurance training in Sardinia will do me good after what has been an intense period,” he reflected. Photos: Gaëtan Flamme
- A Weekly Tradition! Another Podium Finish for Felipe in Hamme
A new cyclocross weekend, another podium for Felipe! Our Spanish powerhouse finished third last Sunday in the Flandriencross in Hamme after a highly aggressive race. He also showcased his attacking mindset the day before in Merksplas. “I’ll keep striving to win a big race,” he said afterwards. Felipe is in excellent form. Following his silver medal in Pontevedra, victory in Rucphen, and second place in the Jaarmarktcross in Niel, he took on two consecutive races this weekend. In the Aardbeiencross in Merksplas, he was part of the leading group, but breaking away proved impossible. In the final moments, he got boxed in, resulting in an eighth-place finish. The next day in Hamme, Felipe demonstrated his top form again. Near the Mirabrug, he broke away with three other riders after a few laps. With about three laps to go, he tried to go solo but wasn’t successful. Nonetheless, in the final lap, he managed to climb from fifth place to secure a podium spot. Other riders Daan Soete also competed twice this past weekend. He finished 19th in Merksplas and 20th in Hamme. Lore Sas placed 31st in Merksplas on Saturday. Afterward, she mentioned she isn’t feeling in the right rhythm at the moment. She’ll be working to regain her form in the coming weeks. Despite making great strides in recent weeks, Joris Nieuwenhuis will need a little more time before returning to competition. After a more intensive training period, it became clear that his body isn’t ready yet. We’re fully committed to supporting Joris in his recovery and won’t rush the process.
- Felipe Orts on Fire: Victory and Second Place in Three Days!
Our Spanish sensation, Felipe Orts, is in incredible form! After winning a silver medal at the European Cyclo-cross Championship in Pontevedra, he returned to Belgium over the weekend. On Saturday, he won the International Cyclo-Cross Rucphen after a long solo ride. On Monday, he added a second place at the Jaarmarktcross in Niel, the third race in the Superprestige series. Felipe is captivating both on and off the bike. For Felipe, his podium finish at the European Championship was the greatest achievement of his career. The 29-year-old cyclo-cross rider is in peak form, and he started in Rucphen with high ambitions. He set out for a long solo ride. In the final stretch, Ryan Kamp closed in from behind, but the Spanish champion managed to keep the Dutch rider at bay and celebrated his victory. Three Belgians, Jens Adams, Niels Vandeputte, and Lander Loockx, rounded out the top five, while Daan Soete finished in 14th place. Jaarmarktcross Both Orts and Soete skipped the Rapencross in Lokeren to focus on the Superprestige race in Niel. Last year, Felipe placed 3rd here and enjoys the mud at this "Pearl of the Rupel." Laurens Sweeck went on the offensive early in the race. Felipe spent much of the race in the wake of Eli Iserbyt and Niels Vandeputte, conserving some energy. In the final lap, our powerhouse moved up to second place. He closed in on the leader, getting within a few seconds, but the win was out of reach. Felipe was content with second place, though. He even gave his supporters a high-five in the final straight, as he’s drawing more and more encouragement with each performance. Daan finished 16th in Niel, just missing out on Superprestige points. We’re still awaiting the debut of Dutch champion Joris Nieuwenhuis, who is working hard to recover from shingles and is aiming to be ready for the World Cup. Thankfully, Felipe is already putting us on the cyclo-cross map with his outstanding performances! Photo: Photo News