Cyclo-cross rider Shirin van Anrooij (19) impresses in the absence of the greats, also victory Tom Pidcock | cycling

Many top drivers, including world champion Lucinda Brand, were not at the start in Gullegem. Hungarian Kata Blanka Vas, who won the cyclo-cross last year, was also missing.

Van Anrooij, the European U23 champion, took the lead at the start and did not relinquish it. She crossed the finish line solo with one minute ahead of Rochette. Inge van der Heijden finished fifth.

Pidock wins

The difference was smaller for men. Yet in the end it was the expected winner who got to put his hands in the air. Tom Pidcock was the first to finish, despite several beauty flaws. The Belgian Joram Wyseure was surprisingly second in sixteen seconds ahead of his compatriot and teammate Quinten Hermans.