The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Zonhoven 2026 brings the world's best riders to Belgium on January 4, 2026. The race is defined by the iconic "De Kuil" (The Pit) sand descent, one of the most technically demanding features on the World Cup circuit. Whether you're at home or abroad, here's how to watch live – with all official TV channels, legitimate free streams, and a simple way to keep access to your home subscription securely through a VPN while travelling.
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Zonhoven Race Times
Sunday 4 January 2026
| Timezone | Elite Women Start | Elite Men Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | CET / UTC+1 | 13:40 | 15:10 |
| Your Time | UTC | 12:40 | 14:10 |
Race Favourites
The Zonhoven circuit is defined by its massive sand dunes, which require strong technical skills and sustained power output.
In the Men’s Elite race, Mathieu van der Poel is the clear favourite on this terrain, where his descending commitment and accelerations out of the sand have consistently made the difference. Wout van Aert is also on the start list, bringing sustained power on the exits and across the exposed sections if he is close enough when the race splits. With Laurens Sweeck absent through injury, the World Cup picture opens up for riders like Thibau Nys and Michael Vanthourenhout, both well suited if conditions turn heavy.
In the Women’s Elite race, Lucinda Brand sets the benchmark, with Zonhoven favouring her calm, repeatable decision-making in the sand. He unbeaten streak also puts her in the clear favourite position. Puck Pieterse provides the main source of volatility, with the power and commitment to turn the pit into a selection point if she commits fully on the descents.
How to watch UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Zonhoven
Broadcasters worldwide are providing comprehensive coverage of the Elite races. You can find your local provider in the table below.
Live Streaming Coverage by Region
| Region | Broadcaster | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | Discovery+ / TNT Sports | £3.99 - £33.99 | Live coverage via Eurosport channels on Discovery+ tiers. |
United States | FloBikes | $29.99/mo | Exclusive US rights holder for the UCI World Cup series. |
Canada | FloBikes | $39.99/mo | The primary destination for Canadian cyclo-cross fans. |
Belgium | Sporza / RTBF | Free | Extensive free coverage in Flemish and French for Belgian residents. |
Netherlands | NOS | Free | Free live stream via NPO Start and nos.nl/sport. |
France | L'Equipe | Free | Available for free via the L'Equipe digital platform. |
Italy | Rai Sport | Free | Free stream available on RaiPlay for Italian viewers. |
Australia | SBS / UCI YouTube | Free | Check SBS On Demand or the geo-restricted UCI YouTube channel. |
Czechia | CT Sport | Free | Free live broadcast for viewers in the Czech Republic. |
Legal Free Streams
Velora tip: Many countries offer free-to-air official coverage. Certain national broadcasters show the race live for free — entirely legally:
- Belgium: Sporza (Flemish) and RTBF (French)
- Netherlands: NOS (NPO Start)
- France: L'Equipe TV
- Italy: Rai Sport (RaiPlay)
- Czech Republic: CT Sport
You can safely access your usual services abroad via a trusted VPN – without breaking any rules. If you're abroad, you can connect via VPN to your home country to access these official, legal feeds – just as if you were at home.
Using a VPN Legally While Travelling
Broadcasters often limit streams to home viewers. If you're travelling, a VPN lets you securely connect to your home network – so you can keep watching your existing paid or free account from abroad.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Our editorial team uses NordVPN by choice, we all purchased it independently to watch cycling races wherever we are.
- 8,400+ VPN servers covering 167+ locations
- One of the fastest VPNs on the market
- Protection from surveillance & cyberthreats
- Use NordVPN on up to 10 devices
How to do it:
- Download Nord VPN – our recommended VPN for streaming while travelling.
- Connect to your home country (e.g., UK for Discovery+ or Belgium for Sporza).
- Open your usual broadcaster's site or app and start watching safely.
Velora never endorses bypassing broadcast rights.
A VPN should only be used to access official services – whether paid or free-to-air – while abroad.
Always use legitimate platforms. Unofficial streams often breach copyright and expose viewers to malware or fake ads.
Why the Zonhoven World Cup Matters
The Zonhoven round regularly draws thousands of spectators to the sand pit section of the course. Mistakes in the deep sand can cost riders significant time and positions. As the ninth round of the World Cup, overall series standings remain close with several rounds still to come.
Quick Recap
- Watch live via official broadcasters (Discovery+, FloBikes, etc.)
- Access free and legal coverage via Sporza, RTBF, and NOS
- Travelling abroad? Use a VPN to keep access to your home subscription safely
- Avoid illegal or pirate streams – they're unsafe and breach copyright
Watch the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Zonhoven live, free (where available), and securely – wherever you are.
Velora Choice: NordVPN
Use a secure VPN connection to watch cycling on your existing subscription services or free streams while you’re away from home. Always follow local laws and your provider’s terms of use.
Get NordVPN - Special OfferFAQ
Velora only promotes VPN use to maintain access to legitimate, paid, or free-to-air services while abroad.
Cover image by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
