Superprestige 2027 – 4 – Merksplas [FULL RACE]

November 14, 2026

Superprestige Merksplas – Aardbeiencross 2026 (C1) ME – Merksplas, Belgium 🇧🇪

Superprestige is a UCI-sanctioned cyclocross series featuring multiple rounds across Belgium and the Netherlands, combining varied terrain, technical obstacles and repeated laps on compact circuits. Courses typically measure around 2.5–3.5 km per lap and include grass fields, muddy tracks, sand sections, woodland paths and paved connectors. Short, steep climbs, off-camber slopes, tight corners and artificial barriers demand precise bike handling, quick dismounts and efficient remounts. Gradients can reach 10–20% on short ramps, while changing weather can transform firm surfaces into slippery mud or deep ruts. Each round presents different technical and physical challenges, requiring riders to adapt their tyre choice, pacing and line selection. Starts are usually fast, making early positioning essential before the field enters narrower sections. Repeated accelerations and technical obstacles gradually separate the competitors, while mistakes can quickly create gaps. The closing laps often bring tactical attacks, with finishes decided by a solo move or a sprint between a small group.

Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech) outsprinted Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon) to take his first cyclo-cross win of the season at Saturday’s Aardbeiencross in Merksplas, round four of the 2026-27 Superprestige series.

Wyseure took control on the final lap of the fast, tactical race, repeatedly putting in digs to reduce the seven-rider lead group, accelerating in and out of the corners. Coming out of the sand section, he, with Vandeputte on his wheel, had opened a gap of several seconds as they sped towards the finish line.

Wyseure led onto the finishing straight, but Vandeputte was able to come around and raise his hands in victory.

Spanish champion Felipe Orts (Euskatel-Euskadi) managed to close the gap and finished third.

A crash on the fourth lap took Michael Vanthourenhout out of contention when he hit the ground hard after his Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw teammate Gerben Kuypers hit a pole on a left-hand corner. Vanthourenhout slapped the ground after his crash, as the emergency team came to assist. After some time, he was able to walk away from the course, his kit ripped on his left hip.

Wyseure now leads the Superprestige overall rankings, his 14-point haul taking him to 52 in four races. Kevin Kuhn (Heizomat-Cube) and Orts are tied in second place, with 44 points. Vandeputte is now in fourth, 11 points in arrears.

Overnight series leader Cameron Mason (777TV) was delayed by the crash, had to expend energy chasing back, and spent the rest of the race at the back of the lead group, ultimately crossing the line in 15th place. The British champion dropped to fifth place, 12 points down.

Sunny, dry conditions set the stage for a tactical 11-lap race in which positioning was key, especially leading to the deep sand section that riders faced on every lap.

Vandeputte took the holeshot and led the first lap, with Vanthourenhout first, taking over before the sand the next time around, and then telling his teammate Yordi Corsus to up the pace on the third lap, forcing a split of 25 riders after three laps.

But after Wout Janssen attacked and put pressure on the front group, Vanthourenhout crashed and was out of contention.

Janssen, two-time winner Joris Nieuwenhuis (Heizomat-Cube), Ryan Kamp (Bomba Join), and Vandeputte all took turns at the front of the front group, reducing the numbers to 16 riders after eight laps of racing.

With three laps to go, the battle for control heated up when Vandeputte closed the door on Orts, but Corsus was able to get to the front by the sand section and got a small gap after a fast clean run through. Behind, Wyseure passed Orts and gave chase.

Wyseure closed the four-second gap at the start of the next lap, bringing the front group back together. He then took the front, leading into the sand and stepped on the gas every corner, reducing the front group to seven riders.

On the bell lap, Corsus tried to take over the front on the planks, but Wyseure kept the lead into the sand, where Corsus had to dap and lost his position.

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