Preview: Belgian middle champs 2020

The startlist for the Belgian championships middle distance next Sunday looks great. Also the map and terrain are one of the best in Belgium. Who will take the medals in the elite classes?

The Weyervlakte offers a fast and tricky terrain. The red line on the map will be close to the best routechoice, but keeping control and focus will be the key factors. You can already take a look at the 2020 version of the map below. The coursesetter next Sunday will be Patrick Wallaert.

In 2014 this map was used for the Junior European Cup long distance event. The results show that the fastest time was set by Anton Johansson (Sweden) with 4'42/km. In womens class the Norwegian Gunvor Hov Hoydal won with 6'15/km pace.

Map Weyervlakte edition 2020

Like mentioned before the startlist looks great, similar to the the cancelled WRE Long championships in Stoumont. In class H21E we can welcome 55 athletes at the startline on a 6.2km course with 28 controls. Ofcourse Yannick Michiels will be the big favourit. Since Euromeeting (in CZE) is cancelled the Belgian middle and sprint champs will be his main goals this orienteering season. He already showed he's in good shape with a victory at the middle distance national race in 'De Witte Bergen' two weeks ago. 

Yannick Michiels won the middle race 2 weeks ago (Photo: J Grauls)

The opponents for the victory and the medals are two +40 years old ahletes. Both Fabien Pasquasy (Belgian long distance champion 2020) and Geert Simkens are in good shape at the moment. Simkens didn't compete in many races in 2020, but confirmed last Sunday that he's ready for it.

Fabien Pasquasy in action 2 weeks ago (Photo: Franks Avonturen)

Benjamin Anciaux has been focusing on mtb-orienteering recently and won the national championships last weekend. But he's also defending his middle distance title and will be strong in this technical terrain. Also national team runners Tomas Hendrickx, Francois van der Ouderaa, Clement Demeuse, Simon Krekels, Evert Leeuws, Wouter Hus and Tristan Bloemen will fight for the podium. 

Marine Sillien at Jwoc 2019 relay

Also in womens class the startfield looks very good. In the elite category 28 female athletes will show up in Hechtel-Eksel next Sunday. The course will measure 5080m and will include 22 controls. Anna Serrallonga will defend her middle distance title and is improving physically week by week. But Ems De Smul (2nd last Sunday) and Marine Sillien (Belgian long champion 2020) will be serious opponents. Also Greet Oeyen likes a technical and tricky map, like 'De Weyervlakte'. Other names to highlight are Aline Hermans, Fanny Tilkin, Lucie Arno, Liesbeth Van de Velde, Hannah Thiels and Laurine Herman. 

Startlist BK Middle - Information BK Middle