Intensity picks up in the 2025-2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup. This weekend saw an exhilarating fourth round of the series in Namur (Belgium), a week after an unprecedented stop in Terralba (Italy). The discipline’s stars will remain in Belgium for a packed festive season with four rounds between 20 December 2025 and 4 January 2026 – in Antwerpen, Koksijde, Gavere and Dendermonde.
The winner of the first round in Tábor (Czechia) before missing Flamanville (France), Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) powered to back-to-back successes in Terralba and Namur but her Dutch compatriot Aniek van Alphen (Seven Racing) narrowly held on to the overall lead of the Women Elite standings. In the Men Elite ranks, Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) delighted the crowds as he returned to competition in Namur and challenged Thibau Nys (Baloise Glowi Lions).
Men Elite: Stellar battles shape up
Van der Poel is a long-established star of cyclo-cross, having achieved iconic status with legendary and historical conquests. As for Nys, his talent has been identified for years, and he’s dominated early season battles, with victories in the two opening rounds before missing the action in Terralba, where last year’s winner of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw) stepped up to victory after a subpar – by his high standards – start to the campaign (17th in Tábor, 7th in Flamanville).
As Van der Poel and Nys both geared up for their first encounter of the season in Namur, fans knew they were in for a special treat. And they were graced with a thriller in the iconic venue of the Citadel.
“It’s always hard on this course but I’m happy to take the win in the end,” Van der Poel rejoiced after making his decisive move on the final lap. “Thibau Nys was strong, and not only him, but also Vanthourenhout [3rd] and Lars van der Haar [4th]. I’m happy I could get the job done.”
“To my surprise, I had the feeling I was quite in control,” Nys observed after finishing 2nd with a 9-second gap. “I entered the last lap with the feeling I still had power in my legs but I made a small stupid mistake and Mathieu was gone. You have to take your chances and not complain, because it’s my own fault.”
The young Belgian, who turned 23 last month, still leads the overall standings with 110 points. Vanthourenhout follows with 93, and Joris Nieuwenhuis (Ridley Racing Team) has the same tally ahead of next week’s rendezvous in Antwerpen, where Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) is also expected to return to competition.
Women Elite: Van Alphen tries to resist Brand
Lucinda Brand entered the 2025-2026 campaign in winning fashion, backing her overall triumph in last season’s UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup with another victory in Tábor. Her absence in Flamanville opened the door for her younger compatriot Van Alphen to take the overall lead… But as Brand returned to action in Terralba and Namur, she claimed back-to-back successes, displaying her mastery as she took her 22nd and 23rd victories in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.
First, she delivered a one-woman show over the last five laps of the Sardinian round and paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother. Then, in Namur, she rapidly moved to the front and distanced herself from her rivals in the very first lap. “I felt really strong,” she said after the race. “I just never had such a good start!” Even a flat in the later stages of the race couldn’t stop her victory: “I had enough of a gap, luckily.”
In her wake, Van Alphen secured second place in both races. She retains the overall lead with the tightest margin: she now has 121 points, just one more than Brand. Their younger compatriot Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw) is third with 83 points.
“I’m so happy to get another podium spot,” Van Alphen said. “To be honest, I didn’t feel great. From the recon, I felt it was a tough course, and it was a hard pace from the start. The first laps were a bit difficult but then I could find my rhythm. So far, it’s been a great season and I hope to continue like this.”