Calls Mount for World Cup Clay court Design Review Following Van Anrooij Incident
Hoogerheide, Netherlands – Following a dramatic finish at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Hoogerheide, questions are being raised about the design of the clay court section of the course, specifically after Dutch rider Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado collided wiht Puck Pieterse in the final meters, impacting the race outcome. The incident, which saw Alvarado initially awarded the victory before a protest resulted in Pieterse being declared the winner, has sparked debate about the safety and fairness of the course layout.
The controversy centers on the tight, muddy clay section added to the course this year, intended to increase the technical difficulty. While lauded by some for its challenge, critics argue the narrow passage and slick conditions created a risky bottleneck, especially in the closing stages of the elite women’s race. Dutch national coach, Stef ten Dam, acknowledged the difficulty of controlling rider behavior in such a scenario, stating, “I have no control over this, I can only give advice.” The incident has prompted calls for a review of course design protocols for future World Cup and Championship events, with a focus on balancing challenging terrain with rider safety.
According to cycling federation representative, Marcel Broekhuizen, the Dutch cycling association views the overall World Cup performance positively, highlighting Wiebes’ strong race and prosperous preparation. However, the focus is increasingly shifting to the clay court design. Broekhuizen emphasized the importance of Ten Dam remaining as national coach, calling him “a poster child for the sport” and a vital link between professional and amateur cyclists.
The debate extends beyond the immediate aftermath of the race.Ten Dam himself has expressed uncertainty about continuing in his role as clay-court national coach,noting the impact it has on his road selections. “So I have to think about whether it is useful to also remain the clay-court national coach,” he said. A decision on the future of the clay court design, and perhaps Ten Dam’s role, is expected in the coming weeks, as organizers assess the lessons learned from Hoogerheide and prepare for future events.
