They are more accustomed to slugging it out on roads around Europe, but this Saturday some of the top sprinters and Classic riders will fight against each other in a cyclo-cross race to be held in Mol in Belgium.
Tom Boonen, Quick Step team-mate Stijn Devlolder, Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) and Alessandro Ballan (Lampre/BMC) are some of those who will compete in the charity event. It will, according to Boonen’s directeur sportif Wilfriend Peeters, attract at least 5000 spectators, who will be keen to see the big stars close up and in new surroundings.
“We normally know everyone’s abilities, but in this area we are all in the dark” Boonen told the Gazet Van Antwerpen. “I have only done two cross races in my life. I have absolutely no idea who will be the best in the field.”
Top riders being both highly competitive and proud, it is certain that they will take it seriously. “It does not deter me, far from it,” he continued. “But I’m only three weeks on the bike. We will be splitting blood, but it is for a good cause.”
Peeters knows that the atmosphere will be special, and predicts that it will be a memorable day. “It will be a spectacular cross,” he stated.
He was in contact with a large number if riders. “Almost all said yes and would like to make. Both Alessandro Ballan, Carlos Barredo and Rinaldo Nocentini, who rode a long time in the yellow jersey in this year's Tour de France. There are 43 riders from 15 teams in total representing five nationalities. And if it proves to be a success, we are quite prepared to make it an annual recurring event.”
According to Feltet.dk, the 43 riders are as follows: Mario Aerts, Jan Bakelants, Alessandro Ballan, Carlos Barredo, Kris Boeckmans, Tom Boonen, David Boucher, Arnaud Coyot, Wilfried Cretskens, Steven de Jongh, Wim De Vocht, Bert De Waele, Kevin De Weert, Dries Devenyns, Stijn Devolder, Gert Dockx, Yannick Eijssen, Addy Engels, Denis Flahaut, Kevin Hulsmans, Stijn Joseph, Servais Knaven, Björn Leukemans, Rinaldo Nocentini, Nick Nuyens, Geert Omloop, Filippo Pozzato, Frederique Robert, Kevin Seeldraeyers, Roy Sentjens, Bram Tankink, Niki Terpstra, Matteo Tosatto, Greg Van Avermaet, Jurgen Van de Walle, Jurgen Van den Broeck, Kevin Van Impe, Stijn Vandenbergh, Jelle Vanendert, Pieter Vanspeybrouck, Geert Verheyen, Wouter Weylandt og Maarten Wijnants. The 43 participating riders are: Mario Aerts, Jan Bakelants, Alessandro Ballan, Carlos Barredo, Kris Bøckmann, Tom Boonen, David Boucher, Arnaud Coyot, Wilfried Cretskens, Steven de Jongh, Wim De Vocht, Bert De Waele, Kevin De Weert, Dries Devenyns, Stijn Devolder, Gert Dockx, Yannick Eijssen, Addy Engels, Denis Flahaut, Kevin Hulsmans, Stijn Joseph Servais Knaven, Björn Leukemans, Rinaldo Nocentini, Nick Nuyens, Geert Omloop, Filippo Pozzato, Frederique Robert, Kevin Seeldraeyers, Roy Sentjens, Bram Tankink, Niki Terpstra, Matteo Tosatto, Greg Van Avermaet, Jurgen Van de Walle, Jurgen Van den Broeck, Kevin Van Impe, Stijn Vandenbergh, Jelle Vanendert, Pieter Vanspeybrouck, Geert Verheyen, Wouter Weylandt and Maarten Wijnants.