Cyclocross
Cyclocross race reports, technique guides, and season coverage
47 articles
Strade Bianche Donne
Cyclocross champion Lucinda Brand already logging six-hour road rides as she eyes Strade Bianche for 2026 road debut
The reigning cyclo-cross world champion will open her road season at the Tuscan gravel classic on March 7, with team manager Sven Nys confirming that heavy endurance training is already underway.
14th February 2026
Feature
Why isn't Cyclocross in the Winter Olympics, and will it ever be?
The International Olympic Committee will decide in June whether to relax its charter restrictions on winter sports, a move that could open the door for cyclocross and cross-country running at the 2030 Games in the French Alps.
9th February 2026
News
In 2026 cyclocross stars will be racing a Superprestige on Christmas Day
The UCI has confirmed a major overhaul of the eight-race Superprestige series for 2026–27, with Flanders Classics introducing Halloween, Sinterklaas and Christmas Day fixtures around the 2027 World Championships in Oostende.
2nd February 2026
Feature
Cyclocross is cycling’s perfect fan product – it must survive beyond Mathieu van der Poel
Cyclocross offers cycling’s best fan experience, but its future can’t depend on one rider. What happens when Mathieu van der Poel steps away?
2nd February 20262026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
'It's a little bit anti-sport', Fouquenet slams rivals' aggression after battling to fifth at cyclocross Worlds
The French rider recovered from a pre-race crash and botched start to finish 58 seconds behind winner Lucinda Brand, but left Hulst frustrated by what she called a lack of respect in the chasing group.
1st February 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
How to Watch the 2026 UCI Cyclocross World Championships Men's Race Live – Free Streams and TV Coverage
Mathieu van der Poel eyes a historic eighth world title in Hulst at the 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Our guide covers official broadcasters, legal free streams in Europe, and how to use a VPN to access your home coverage while travelling.
1st February 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Mathieu van der Poel takes sensational eighth Cyclo-cross World Championship victory in Hulst
Mathieu van der Poel makes history in Hulst, securing a record-breaking eighth UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship title as the Dutch score a 1-2
31st January 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Lucinda Brand wins second cyclocross world title as Dutch sweep Hulst podium
The 36-year-old capitalised on a penultimate-lap error from Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado after Puck Pieterse's mid-race crash ended the pre-race favourite's gold medal hopes.
31st January 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Suspected food poisoning forces multiple Belgian and Luxembourg riders out of Hulst Worlds
A suspected outbreak at a shared team hotel has caused six withdrawals across two national squads on the morning of Saturday's races, with Belgium forced into a late substitution for the men's U23 event.
31st January 2026
News
'Visma–Lease a Bike did not intervene in time', former cyclocross champion criticises team's handling of Fem van Empel
Former cyclocross world champion Hennie Stamsnijder argues Visma's attempt to mould Van Empel into a multi-discipline star like Marianne Vos pushed the 23-year-old to breaking point before her indefinite career pause.
30th January 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Lucinda Brand declared fit for Cyclocross World Championships after concussion disrupted preparation
Dutch rider's team manager Sven Nys reveals she suffered a week of headaches following a heavy crash at Zonhoven. She has claimed she doesn't consider herself the favourite for Hulst despite her winning streak.
29th January 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
UCI Cyclocross World Championships Preview: Van der Poel eyes record eighth title in Hulst
Mathieu van der Poel arrives in Hulst unbeaten in 12 starts this season. We review his chances, alongside the women's favourites and a deep dive into the course
29th January 2026
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
'Gold is impossible' – Tibor Del Grosso admits Van der Poel has field racing for silver at Worlds
The 22-year-old Dutch rider describes 'pure powerlessness' when trying to follow his teammate, saying nobody corners with the same speed and precision ahead of Hulst.
28th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #12, Hoogerheide
Mathieu van der Poel breaks Sven Nys's World Cup record with 51st win as Alpecin-Premier Tech sweep Hoogerheide podium
The world champion's devastating lap three attack created an unsurmountable 1:20 gap, while Thibau Nys's premature surge cost him a podium spot in the final sprint.
25th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #12, Hoogerheide
Puck Pieterse takes second World Cup win in two days with Hoogerheide masterclass
The Dutch rider's 7:07 final lap, four seconds faster than any rival managed all day, turned a stalemate into a statement solo win at the season's last World Cup.
25th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #11, Maasmechelen
Two punctures, one rainbow jersey, 50 wins: Van der Poel survives Maasmechelen chaos to equal Nys record
The world champion overcame front and rear tyre failures to claim a drama-filled World Cup victory, with Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates Del Grosso and Vandeputte completing the podium sweep after blocking Thibau Nys in a tense final lap.
24th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #11, Maasmechelen
Puck Pieterse wins Maasmechelen World Cup as Lucinda Brand ends her 63-race podium streak
The Fenix-Deceuninck rider capitalised on her rival's mechanical with two laps to go, holding off a late charge from teammate Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado to claim her first World Cup win of the season ahead of next weekend's World Championships.
24th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #11, Maasmechelen
UCI Cyclocross World Cup Maasmechelen Preview: Van der Poel targets unbeaten run on the mine terhills
The penultimate World Cup round arrives on Belgium's former coal slag heaps, where Mathieu van der Poel looks to extend his flawless season and Lucinda Brand celebrates her secured overall title.
22nd January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #10, Benidorm Costa Blanca
'The urge to race was simply too great' - Van der Poel reverses Benidorm withdrawal to defend World Cup lead
Alpecin-Premier Tech announced the world champion will start Sunday's Spanish round, 48 hours after confirming his absence for road training purposes.
17th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #10, Benidorm Costa Blanca
How to Watch the UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm 2026 Live – Free streams and TV coverage
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup moves to the Spanish coast for Round 10 in Benidorm on January 18, 2026. Featuring a high-speed course and elite fields, here is how to access official live streams, free-to-air coverage, and secure VPN options while traveling.
15th January 2026UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #10, Benidorm Costa Blanca
Mathieu van der Poel confirmed out of Benidorm World Cup as training camp takes priority over title race
The world champion will skip Sunday's Spanish round after UCI registration deadline passed, with Alpecin-Deceuninck citing lessons learned from last year's disrupted preparation.
15th January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #10, Benidorm Costa Blanca
UCI Cyclocross World Cup Benidorm Preview: Van der Poel's late decision to race flips narrative
Van der Poel's late decision to attend could continue his dominant streak. Read our full Benidorm World Cup preview, featuring course details, weather updates, and the top contenders.
15th January 2026
Paris-Roubaix
Zonhoven denied Van Aert cyclocross showdown following surgery, but Classics hopes remain
Belgian star undergoes successful ankle surgery after Mol crash, ruling him out of Zonhoven and the national championships but early medical opinion points to a full build-up for the Spring Classics.
3rd January 2026
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #9, Zonhoven
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Zonhoven Preview: Van der Poel and Brand in the sand
De Kuil’s sand pits, cold conditions and a wide-open men’s title race after Laurens 'Sandman' Sweeck’s injury make this Sunday's race one to watch
2nd January 2026
News
'I was very lucky' - Van der Poel survives spectator collision at Loenhout to claim sixth straight win
World champion stayed upright after fan's hand struck his handlebars at high speed during opening lap of X2O Badkamers Trofee, as police initially detained spectator before organizers opted against formal charges
30th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #8, Dendermonde
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Dendermonde: Thibau Nys takes sensational sprint win
On an uncharacteristically dry Dendermonde, Thibau Nys turned a supposed Van Aert powerfest into a fast, tactical sprint, outkicking Tibor Del Grosso as a 10‑man group fought it out to the line.
28th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #8, Dendermonde
'On this loop five seconds is a big gap' – Puck Pieterse fights back for second as Brand dominates Dendermonde
Dutch champion overcomes boxed-in start on fast Dendermonde course, reads rival's lines and attacks late to take runner-up behind dominant Lucinda Brand.
28th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #8, Dendermonde
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Dendermonde: Lucinda Brand continues unbeaten streak with solo win
Lucinda Brand turned Dendermonde’s heavy clay into another World Cup clinic, dropping Puck Pieterse with a brutal third‑lap surge as Amandine Fouquenet capped a breakout ride in third.
28th December 2025UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #8, Dendermonde
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Dendermonde Race Preview: Mud, power and Wout van Aert
Dendermonde’s muddy course returns under freezing skies, favouring diesel power and fast runners. Wout van Aert and Lucinda Brand hit an almost purpose-built circuit as World Cup regulars fight for series control.
27th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #7, Gavere
World Cup Gavere: Mathieu van der Poel wins round seven after late surge drops Nys
Frozen, high‑speed Gavere produced a genuine duel between Van der Poel and Thibau Nys, before one pedal slip on the main climb turned a tense stalemate into win number six on this course for the world champion.
26th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #7, Gavere
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Gavere: Lucinda Brand crushes frozen hills for round seven win
On an icy, high-speed Gavere, Lucinda Brand turned big-engine power and clean laps into a statement solo, while Amandine Fouquenet delivered a breakout podium and Puck Pieterse salvaged third after a crash.
26th December 2025
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
'There's not much left for me to win in cyclocross' – Mathieu van der Poel hints at 2026 retirement from cyclocross
The world champion revealed following his 15th consecutive victory that the 2025–2026 season could be his last in the discipline, with an eighth world title the final target before stepping away.
22nd December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6, Koksijde
Domination in the Dunes – Mathieu van der Poel wins UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Koksijde
Van der Poel turned Koksijde into a controlled demolition: one devastating sand lap to break Sweeck, then risk management as the Belgian sand master charged late.
21st December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6, Koksijde
Koksijde World Cup: Lucinda Brand wins Elite Women’s race with ruthless sand display
Lucinda Brand finally ticks off Koksijde with a long-range sand raid, leading a Dutch top‑eight lockout and tightening her grip on the World Cup overall.
21st December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5, Antwerpen
Mathieu van der Poel decimates field to win UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Antwerpen
Van der Poel dominated Sint-Anneke Beach despite a late scare, while a faultless Laurens Sweeck rode into the World Cup lead and Wout van Aert’s season debut turned into a data-gathering mission after a costly puncture.
20th December 2025
News
'Motivation and enjoyment are missing' – Fem van Empel ends pro cycling contract to put career on hold
Triple cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel will leave Team Visma | Lease a Bike and step away from professional racing from 1 January 2026, after a turbulent year marked by mental health struggles and illness.
19th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #5, Antwerpen
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Antwerpen Race Preview: Sand vs superstars
Sint-Anneke Beach lines up the first Van der Poel–Van Aert duel of the winter and a Brand–Van Alphen battle reshaped by Fem van Empel’s absence on one of cross’ most technical courses.
18th December 2025UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4, Namur
MvdP Returns: How to Watch UCI World Cup Namur Live – Free Streams, TV & Schedule
How to watch UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4 Namur on December 14, 2025, with full TV listings, free streams, start times, and how to keep access to your home coverage securely with a VPN while travelling.
12th December 2025
Racing
'Snow or ice' rule stalls cyclocross's Olympic dream as IOC delays 2030 decision
Cyclocross and cross-country running must now wait until June 2026 for a verdict on their 2030 Winter Olympics bid, after a coordinated backlash from winter sports federations forced the IOC to slow its timetable.
12th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4, Namur
Olympic MTB champion Jolanda Neff set for Namur World Cup cyclo-cross return after four-year gap
Olympic mountain bike champion Jolanda Neff is on the provisional start list for the Namur Cyclo-cross World Cup, signalling a high-profile return to the discipline at one of its most brutal courses.
9th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #3, Terralba, Sardegna
How to Watch the UCI Cyclocross World Cup #3 Terralba 2025 Live – Free Streams and TV Coverage
All the ways to watch the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round in Terralba, Sardegna – including free national streams, global TV channels, and how to keep access to your usual coverage securely with a VPN when you’re travelling.
5th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #3, Terralba, Sardegna
World Cup #3 Terralba Race Preview: Sand, surf and open doors
A brand‑new Sardinian sand circuit, a flat but selective lap and several headline absences turn Terralba into a rare World Cup where sand craft and diesel power could rewrite the standings.
4th December 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #2, Flamanville
How to watch the Flamanville World Cup #2 2025 Live – Free Streams, TV coverage & VPN access from anywhere
Full viewing guide for UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Round 2 in Flamanville 2025, including global TV broadcasters, legal free streams, and how to use a VPN to keep watching your usual coverage securely while travelling.
28th November 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #2, Flamanville
Flamanville World Cup #2 Race Preview: Power, precision and opportunity
A fast, wind‑exposed estate circuit in Normandy turns World Cup round two into a test of raw power and clean technique, with several headline stars absent and new leaders poised to emerge.
28th November 2025
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #1, Tábor
Final-minute surge sees Lucinda Brand take World Cup Tábor victory
Lucinda Brand opened the World Cup with a razor-thin win in Tábor, outsprinting Sara Casasola after a late kick on a fast, frozen circuit. Record equalled; a new podium name arrives.
24th November 2025UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #1, Tábor
Lucinda Brand equals Vos with 51 straight World Cup podiums after Tábor sprint
Lucinda Brand outsprinted Sara Casasola to win the Tábor World Cup opener and equal Marianne Vos’s record of 51 consecutive World Cup podiums. The 36-year-old now has a shot at standing alone with 52 next time out.
24th November 2025UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #1, Tábor
Lap 2 off‑camber slide sees Thibau Nys take World Cup Tábor victory
Thibau Nys dominated the frozen opener in Tábor, attacking after Joris Nieuwenhuis slid on lap 2 and never came back. Laurens Sweeck won the chase for second; Nieuwenhuis salvaged third.
23rd November 2025