Middelkerke is the setting for the European Cyclocross Championships this weekend. On Saturday, the junior women, U23 men and elite women will compete for the white and blue champion’s jersey with yellow stars at the military domain of Lombardsijde. On Sunday, it will be the turn of the junior men, U23 women and elite men, with Thibau Nys as defending champion. What is unique is that the course of the European Championships will feature no artificial obstacles.
Since the European Championship programme was expanded in 2015 to include a competition for elite men, this is the second time – after Namur in 2022 – that the European Championships will be held in Belgium. Middelkerke is bringing the European title race to Flanders for the first time. The course on and around the military domain of Lombardsijde is made up exclusively of natural elements. No stairs, beams or bridges. The sand and dunes of Middelkerke are the natural judge and executioner.
The European Championships are traditionally the first championship of the cyclocross season. In the elite men’s category, most eyes are on defending champion Thibau Nys, who made a convincing return to cyclocross racing on the Koppenberg last Saturday, but then failed to deliver (or rather, his equipment failed him) in Lokeren the following day. In Middelkerke, it will be a battle between the Low Countries, with several other contenders in the Belgian selection, against the strong Joris Nieuwenhuis and Pim Ronhaar for the Netherlands.
In the elite women’s category, defending champion Fem van Empel is absent due to illness and will not be able to win a fourth consecutive title. This is Lucinda Brand’s chance to win a second European Championship title as the top favourite after an almost perfect start to the season. Should she fear her compatriots the most, or could Italy’s Sara Casasola – the only rider who was able to deny her a victory this season – or Belgium’s leading woman Marion Norbert Ribberole surprise her?
Thousands of cyclocross fans will get to experience it live in Middelkerke this weekend. More than 9,000 tickets have already been sold. Tickets can be purchased online and also on Saturday and Sunday at the box office. Those who prefer to watch on TV can tune in to VRT1 and RTBF for live coverage of both elite races on Saturday and Sunday. In the Netherlands, the European Championships can be watched on NPO1, in France on L’Equipe, and in the rest of Europe and Asia on Eurosport.
“It will be spectacular and technical, just as this discipline deserves.”
Enrico Della Casa, President of the European Cycling Union (UEC): “Middelkerke is a historic location for cyclocross and provides the ideal setting for this year’s European Championships. The course will be spectacular and technical, just as this discipline deserves. Cyclocross has never experienced a crisis, quite the contrary. It continues to grow steadily, including in terms of the number of participating countries, some of which are even making their international debut this year. The record participation of 25 countries is clear proof of this. We have two exciting days ahead of us, with an enthusiastic crowd that will create a unique atmosphere. My thanks go to the Municipality of Middelkerke, including Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker, and Golazo, our valued partner, for their excellent organisation.”
Christophe Impens, Golazo: “Golazo was honoured to organise the Belgian cyclocross championships in Middelkerke in 2022, also at the Military Domain of Lombardsijde. Wout van Aert and Sanne Cant won the beautiful tricolour jersey for a year. Unfortunately, we were still subject to strict COVID regulations at the time and no spectators were allowed. This weekend, we will welcome at least 10,000 spectators, who can look forward to a one-of-a-kind course with the stretch on the beach as the big deciding factor. We are extremely grateful to the Municipality of Middelkerke, Sport Flanders and the Ministry of Defence for their support, and we look forward to the battle for the beautiful European champion’s jersey.”
Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker: “Middelkerke is once again embracing cycling. After a successful series of Belgian Championships, we are extremely proud to be the host municipality for the 2025 European Cyclocross Championships. We are particularly pleased that the pure and natural course at the military domain in Lombardsijde will get a second chance to showcase itself. The beautiful landscape, the majestic beach and the wild North Sea provided an epic masterclass in cyclocross during the 2022 Belgian Championships. What a shame that it was without an audience due to corona! Now we are ready to welcome athletes and cyclocross fans from all over the continent with open arms.”
The European Cyclocross Championships are one of the top races on the international cyclocross calendar. The fact that this race will be held in Middelkerke is already a victory for Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker. “Together with the organisers, we are ready to welcome tens of thousands of cyclocross enthusiasts to one of the most beautiful sites in Europe. And I’m not exaggerating, because the dunes, the beach and the imposing army barracks, do not only create a logistically but also a visually absolute prime location. As far as I’m concerned, the European Championships will be a perfect opportunity for a weekend of top-drawer sports in Middelkerke with family or friends.”
For Councillor for Sports and big cyclocross fan Marc Descheemaecker, the organisation of the European Championships is also circled in fat marker in his diary. “Preparations have been underway for a while and are going very smoothly.” Descheemaecker predicts fireworks in terms of sporting action. “Cyclocross riders give it their all in every race, but when there’s a jersey up for grabs, the battle is even more intense. I know from a direct source that the course of the 2022 Belgian Championships was extremely tough. Combined with a high-calibre field of participants, all the ingredients will be in place for some fantastic races.”
