Photos: Series leaders continue reigns with wins at cyclocross World Cup races in Fayetteville

Belgian cyclists Eli Iserbyt (left) and Laurens Sweeck (right) sprint towards the finish line on the final lap of racing during UCI Cyclocross World Cup at Centennial Park in Fayetteville on Oct. 16, 2022. (Flyer photo/Todd Gill)

Fayetteville was once again in the world spotlight during the UCI Cyclocross World Cup races held Sunday at Centennial Park.

Series leaders Fem van Empel (Netherlands) and Eli Iserbyt (Belgium) held their respective reigns in the women’s and men’s events, which both ended in an exciting sprint finish.

Van Empel held off last year’s UCI World Cup Fayetteville winner Lucinda Brand in the final stretch, while Iserbyt pulled ahead of Laurens Sweeck with only a few meters to the line to secure their leaders’ jerseys on the podium.

Rounding out the top three steps in the women’s race were Brand (Netherlands) in second and Annemarie Worst (Netherlands) in third. In the men’s event, Sweeck (Belgium) took second and Michael Vanthourenhout (Belgium) finished third.

The 14-race series now heads overseas after beginning the season with two U.S. events in Waterloo, Wisc. and Fayetteville.

Below are some of our favorite shots from the day.