The International cyclo-cross in Gieten has finally come to an end. The Wieler Promotion Oostermoer Foundation is unable to organize a separate cyclo-cross race. The cause: a hole in the budget.
At the beginning of June it became clear that after 33 years, Gieten is no longer part of the Superprestige classification. Because the cyclo-cross in Gieten does have a place on the international cycling calendar of the UCI, the organization wanted to draw up a plan itself by holding a separate cyclo-cross.
This doesn’t work. With the loss of the Superprestige status, the annual commitment to a live broadcast of the matches also expired. As a result, the television funds and the Belgian sponsorship income were also canceled. “A live broadcast means more sponsors, and better riders and more audience,” said secretary Jantienus Warners. The organization could not find a TV station willing to broadcast the match in Gieten and that leaves a gap in the budget.
The Superprestige cyclo-cross was for years a concept and inextricably linked to Gieten. More than 200 volunteers are involved in the event. It is not known what the organization will do with this group of volunteers. The board will discuss this with the volunteers.
The organization calls it sour that the event must come to an end in this way. But she is proud of what has been achieved. Think of 46 international competitions, of which 33 times the Superprestige, a World Championship in 1991, the technical organization of the European Championship 2021 and six times a national cyclo-cross championship.
Due to the cancellation of the cyclo-cross, the Superfest Gieten will also be canceled a week before the event.