The 2026 UEC Cyclo-Cross European Championships came to a close today in Zeddam (Netherlands); the two days of competition attracted 12,500 spectators along the course. Six continental titles were awarded on the Dutch course, which features the famous 99-step staircase – one of the event’s most demanding and spectacular sections. The final three European jerseys were won by Belgium’s Thibau Nys (Men’s Elite), France’s Célia Gery (Women’s Under-23) and Belgium’s Lars Peers (Men’s Junior).
The most eagerly anticipated race, the Men’s Elite event, saw Thibau Nys claim victory. Two years on from his triumph in Pontevedra (Spain), he returned to the top step of the continental podium leading a Belgian one-two-three completed by Joran Wyseure and Niels Vandeputte.
The race remained in the balance until the final lap, with Nys and Wyseure locked in a tight battle for the title. The decisive moment came precisely on the 99-step staircase, where Nys launched the attack that allowed him to pull away from his compatriot and establish a decisive lead. The Belgian then rode the final metres alone, securing his second European Elite jersey. Behind him, Wyseure took the silver medal, whilst Vandeputte completed the podium, ensuring Belgium claimed all three medals.
A French one-two-three in the Women’s Under-23 event, with Célia Gery taking the European title ahead of her teammates Lison Desprez and Amandine Muller.
Gery and Desprez broke away right from the start of the race, setting the stage for a long battle for the continental jersey. The battle ended in victory for Gery, who managed to pull away from her breakaway companion in the final stretch, winning by a margin of 9 seconds. Muller completed this all-French podium by finishing third, 1'12" behind.
For the 20-year-old Frenchwoman, this is the third European title of her career, following her victory in the Juniors’ category at Pontchâteau in 2023 and her win in the Under-23s at Pontevedra.
The second and final day of the European Championships began with a victory for Belgium’s Lars Peers in the Men’s Juniors event. In his first year in this category, Peers demonstrated his quality on a particularly technical course, managing to make the difference in the decisive stages of the race and winning solo with a 15-second lead.
Already a winner of several European Junior titles in Mountain Biking and Cyclo-Cross, the young Belgian has thus added another significant result to his list of achievements, finishing ahead of the Dutchman Delano Heeren, the reigning world champion, and his compatriot Bas Vanden Eynde, who came third, 37 seconds behind.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “These European Championships have once again confirmed the extraordinary passion for Cyclo-Cross and the special bond that unites this discipline with its fans. The large crowds lining the course, the atmosphere and the enthusiasm that accompanied the races made Zeddam a wonderful setting for two days of top-class sport.
I would like to thank Golazo for its professionalism and excellent organisational work, the local authorities and the whole community of Zeddam for their warm welcome, as well as the Dutch Cycling Federation for its invaluable support and ongoing commitment to the promotion and development of cycling. The success of this event is the result of tremendous teamwork and demonstrates just how deeply Cyclo-Cross is rooted in the sporting tradition of the Netherlands.”
