The festive season is in full swing, just like the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, which features no fewer than five iconic rounds in Belgium between 20 December and 4 January. The next event is fast approaching, with thrilling battles expected in Gavere on 26 December, following the intense competitions in Antwerp and Koksijde last weekend. Six rounds have already been contested, with six more still to come before the season’s winners are crowned in Hoogerheide (the Netherlands) on 25 January.
Men Elite: a magnificent Van der Poel and a consistent Sweeck
As the end of the year approaches, Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has showcased the full extent of his talent in sand and mud. Already victorious on his return to competition in Namur, the Dutchman added two more wins in Antwerp and Koksijde, making it three victories from three races.
In Namur, the seven-time UCI Cyclo-cross World Champion in the Men Elite category waited until the final lap to get the better of Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions). In Antwerp, he took the lead from the outset, while his great rival Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) suffered a late puncture and finished seventh in his first race of the season. On the demanding Koksijde course, Van der Poel dropped his rivals midway through the race.
"I really had fun today", the Dutch star said. "I looked a bit at what others were doing and then I just went to the front. In the sand, it's always easier if you can follow your own line, and then gaps open if there are mistakes behind, so I decided to go for it."
In his wake, Laurens Sweeck (Crelan-Corendon) finished second in both Antwerp and Koksijde, allowing him to take the lead in the overall ranking. With 146 points, the Belgian is in the lead before his compatriots Michael Vanthourenhout (128 points) and Niels Vandeputte (125). Van der Poel has climbed to fourth place with 120 points.
Women Elite: unstoppable Brand conquers Koksijde
Absent in Flamanville, Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) has won the other five Women Elite races contested so far in the 2025–2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. Dominating performances in Antwerp and Koksijde added to her previous triumphs in Tábor, Terralba and Namur. She has now won 25 rounds of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup!
Brand was particularly pleased with her win in Koksijde where, once again, she applied pressure from the very start to distance her rivals.
"Winning here was one of my goals for this season", explained the Dutch icon whose impressive list of previous achievements was missing a victory in Koksijde. "It's an iconic race, a Monument, like we say for road races. So it's great to be among the winners here."
Winner of the last four rounds after taking over from Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing), who triumphed in Flamanville, Brand has regained the overall lead with 200 points. Fourth in Koksijde after being beaten by Shirin van Anrooij (Baloise Glowi Lions) and Ceylin Alvarado (Fenix-Deceuninck), Van Alphen now trails by 32 points.
The battle resumes in the youth categories
The youth categories of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup returned in Koksijde, after rising stars had fought their first battles in Tábor and Flamanville. Three weeks later, momentum has shifted, but two French leaders remain at the top of the overall standings.
In the Men Under 23 competition, Aubin Sparfel finished second behind Dutchman David Haverdings, just as he did in the opening round. Thanks to his consistent results (second, first and second), the Frenchman retains the overall lead with 100 points, just three points ahead of his Dutch rival.
The Women Under 23 races alongside the Women Elite, but Dutch rider Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen – Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team) has featured on the dedicated Under 23 podium in Antwerp and Koksijde, as she did in the first four rounds. It is worth noting that the reigning UCI World Champion in the category, Britain’s Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto), will return to competition on 28 December in Dendermonde (Belgium) for the eight round.
In the Junior Women’s category, reigning UCI World Champion Lise Revol confirmed her Flamanville triumph with a second consecutive victory. She now totals 110 points, while Italy’s Giorgia Pellizotti has 75.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Men’s race, France’s Soren Bruyère Joumard had to settle for 12th place after a crash at the start and a spirited comeback in Koksijde, where Belgium’s Giel Lejeune demonstrated his undeniable talent. Italy’s Filippo Grigolini takes the overall lead with 86 points, narrowly ahead of Bruyère Joumard on 84.