The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Koksijde 2025 brings the world's best riders to Belgium's iconic sand dunes on December 21. 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 Koksijde Race Times
Sunday 21 December 2025
| Timezone | Elite Women Start | Elite Men Start | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | CET / UTC+1 | 13:40 | 15:10 |
| Your Time | UTC | 12:40 | 14:10 |
World Cup Koksijde Favourites
Koksijde strips cyclocross back to the basics. The dunes reward riders who can ride sand cleanly, conserve energy and repeat the same effort lap after lap, rather than those relying on repeated accelerations. The start lists reflect a race likely to be shaped by control rather than chaos.
In the Men’s Elite race, Mathieu van der Poel lines up after another measured victory in Antwerp, where he distanced the field from the gun. Koksijde, however, has a habit of compressing gaps, and the rider most naturally aligned with the circuit is "sandman" Laurens Sweeck. The World Cup series leader finished closest to Van der Poel in Antwerp and remains one of the peloton’s most reliable sand specialist, capable of maintaining momentum where others are forced off the bike.
With Wout van Aert not on the start list, one of the few riders capable of matching Van der Poel’s sustained power through fast sections is absent. Eli Iserbyt is also missing, removing another habitual instigator. That reshapes the race dynamic. World Cup Terralba winner Michael Vanthourenhout was consistently off the pace in Antwerp and never featured in the fight behind Van der Poel.
The Women’s Elite race feels more open. Antwerp winner and new series leader Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado are currently the pair most capable of riding away from the rest on sand-heavy terrain: they traded turns, attacked together, and hit the final lap locked on before Brand took the sprint. That sets up Koksijde cleanly, because the dunes amplify exactly that kind of repeated pressure.
Behind them, Aniek van Alphen is the interesting tactical variable. Her aggressive opening in Antwerp looked like a rider defending a jersey, but once Brand and Alvarado brought the race back under control, her day became damage limitation – still good enough for third, but enough to hand the World Cup lead back to Brand. Expect Van Alphen to race with fewer calculations here: more willing to go early, and more forced to take risks. Puck Pieterse remains the wildcard if she can turn mid-race power into real separation.
How to watch UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Koksijde
All official broadcast and streaming options for this round are detailed in the table below, ranging from free national coverage to specialist sports subscriptions.
Live Streaming Coverage by Region
| Region | Broadcaster | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports / DiscoveryPlus | £30.99/mo | Full live coverage including junior and elite categories. |
United States | FloBikes | $29.99/mo | Primary home for World Cup streaming in America. |
Canada | FloBikes | CA$39.99/mo | Exclusive Canadian broadcast partner for the season. |
Australia | Stan Sport | $27/mo | Available via Stan Sport with premium add-on. |
Belgium | Sporza / RTBF | Free | Live national coverage for Belgium's home event. |
France | L'Equipe | Free | Free streaming coverage available via L'Equipe digital. |
Netherlands | NOS / NPO Start | Free | Dutch coverage available via NPO and NOS platforms. |
Italy | RAI Sport | Free | Free live stream on RaiPlay for Italian viewers. |
Spain | Teledeporte | Free | National Spanish broadcast on Teledeporte and RTVE Play. |
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 (VRT) and RTBF (Auvio)
- France: L'Equipe
- Netherlands: NOS / NPO Start
- Italy: RAI Sport / RaiPlay
- Spain: Teledeporte / RTVE Play
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.
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How to do it:
- Download Nord VPN – our recommended VPN for streaming while travelling.
- Connect to your home country (e.g., Belgium for Sporza or UK for Discovery+).
- 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 Koksijde World Cup Matters
Koksijde remains one of cycling's most prestigious cyclo-cross events, famous for the 'Vlaamse Duinencross' and its massive sand sectors. Unlike muddy courses, the sand requires unique bike handling skills, often forcing riders to dismount and run through the deep dunes. It is a true test of physical endurance and technical precision.
Quick Recap
- Watch live via official broadcasters (Discovery+, FloBikes, etc.)
- Access free and legal coverage via Sporza, L'Equipe, and RAI Sport
- 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 Koksijde 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 credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
