The second last qualifier of the season this weekend in Houffalize has one of the absolute topstars in cycling at the start as vice world champion road and cross Wout van Aert will do his first UCI Gravel event and plans to do the World Championships later this season in Italy.
The 110km race with start and finish in the Belgian off-road capital of Houffalize will have a steep start up the Côte du Saint Roch and winds through the beautiful woods around the city for a race with 1560m of elevation. The shorter 68km distance with shortcut halfway towards the finish is the official qualifier distance for all men 60+ and women 50+.
Last years’ winners Jasper Ockeloen and Tessa Neefjes will also be at the start next to other topstars like Niki Terpstra, Peter Vakoc, Paulina Rooijakkers, Johnny Hoogerland, Jan Bakelants and gravel specialists Ivar Slik, Piotr Havik, Hayley Simmonds, Paul Voss or cyclocross riders Joris Nieuwenhuis, Manon Bakker, Daan Soete; Ryan Kamp and Lander Loockx.
