Why Diegem has been the most popular cross of the winter for years

Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 8:05 AM

The Superprestige in Diegem has been one of the classics in cyclo-cross for more than two decades. Not so much because of a very difficult and/or beautiful course such as the Koppenberg, Namur, Koksijde and Zonhoven, but because of a unique character. It is the only cross in the evenings and that is paying off. WielerFlits delves into history.

The evening cross in Diegem is organized by Cycling Club Sint-Anna-Vooruit, named after a hamlet where the club was founded. The first edition was held in 1975 and the event grew quickly. Seven years later (1982), Diegem was one of the founders of the Superprestige, together with Gavere-Asper, Zillebeke and Overijse.

Diegem organized an evening cross for the first time in 2000 at the request of outgoing mayor Roger De Wulf. “A stunt to celebrate the new mayor,” organizer Francis Bosschaerts said a few years ago CyclingFlits. “We then illuminated the course with 55 light balloons. A few years later, when channel VT4 covered cyclo-cross, we permanently switched to an evening cross. Although even better lit, based on that TV recording. It has now become our trademark.”

Van der Poel six times in a row
The evening cross is by far the most attended cyclocross of the season. Some editions had more than 15,000 spectators. Diegem’s success is more than just the evening cross, Bosschaerts knows. “It’s a combination of everything. It is also a center cross, which makes it extra fun. And the spectators are on holiday. That also makes a difference.” In short: all the ingredients to make it a true popular festival are widely represented in Diegem.

Roland Liboton is the record holder in Diegem with his eight victories. But it seems only a matter of time before Mathieu van der Poel rivals him. MVDP has already won six editions on a course that he can literally describe as his playground. In 2022, after an impressive match, he was beaten by both Wout VAN Aert and Tom Pidcock. Among the women, Marianne Vos and Sanne Cant are record holders with three victories each. The women’s cross has existed since 2011.

Jubilee year
Diegem is celebrating in the 2023 season. Then the cross will be linked to the Superprestige as a round for the fortieth time (!). Only in 2020 and 2021 the cyclo-cross was canceled and that of course had everything to do with the coronavirus. A blow for Diegem, which would be part of the World Cup for the first time in 2020. Perhaps something for later, but completing fifty years in the Superprestige may also be a nice milestone to work towards.

Anyone who takes a look at the honors list will come across a number of beautiful names. For the most striking one we have to go back to the year 2007, to the junior cross for the record. Then 17-year-old Peter Sagan won his only cyclocross ever in Belgium. The Slovak – later a three-time world champion on the road, record holder of the green jersey in the Tour de France and winner of Monuments – won ahead of Tijmen Eising and Matthias Rupp.

Last ten winners Diegem
Men
2022: Wout van Aert
2021: No edition due to corona
2020: No edition due to corona
2019: Mathieu van der Poel
2018: Mathieu van der Poel
2017: Mathieu van der Poel
2016: Mathieu van der Poel
2015: Mathieu van der Poel
2014: Mathieu van der Poel
2013: Sven Nys
2012: Niels Albert
2011: Niels Albert

Women
2022: Puck Pieterse
2021: No edition due to corona
2020: No edition due to corona
2019: Annemarie Worst
2018: True Cant
2017: True Cant
2016: Marianne Vos
2015: Ellen Van Loy
2014: Marianne Vos
2013: True Cant
2012: Catherine Nash
2011: Marianne Vos

This year’s Diegem Superprestige will take place on Thursday, December 28.