The 2018 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships take place this weekend on a Valkenburg course that looks sure to produce some thrilling races. With thick mud, lots of climbing, treacherous off-camber descents and ruts galore, the riders will need impeccable skills, power and luck to win the rainbow jersey.
Friday marked the first open practice on the full course, and it quickly became apparent that the off-camber sections would be critical.
"The course is as expected with this surface," men's race favourite Mathieu van der Poel told Sporza. "It is very slippery and heavy, and it wouldn't surprise me if someone fell here."
"If I have a technical advantage, the deep tracks will make it less technical, but the best will win on this course anyway."
The World Championships begin on Saturday with the Junior Men, U23 Women and Elite Women races, and finish on Sunday with the U23 and Elite Men.
Cyclingnews will have full coverage of all five races. Click or swipe through the gallery above to see the riders tackle this course in training.
Pauline Ferrand Prevot practices the tricky descent #2018ucicrossworlds pic.twitter.com/sw0upj2aJd
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1