Twenty years after the 2006 Cyclo-Cross World Championships, Zeddam (Netherlands) is set to host another major international event. On 7 and 8 November, this Dutch town in the province of Gelderland will host the 2026 Cyclo-Cross European Championships, at which the six continental titles (Juniors, Under-23s and Elite, Men and Women) will be decided.
With 299 registered athletes from 25 countries, the Zeddam event is set to be one of the best-attended in the history of the European Championships. These figures confirm the growing international appeal of Cyclo-Cross, a discipline deeply rooted in the tradition of European cycling and capable of attracting an ever-increasing number of countries.
The Zeddam course features the typical characteristics of Dutch Cyclo-Cross, with technical and demanding sections, as well as the famous staircase – completely renovated for the occasion – one of the course’s most iconic features.
In the Men’s Elite race, Belgium will have a particularly competitive team, led by Thibau Nys – the 2024 European champion and last year’s silver medallist, and recent winner of the Koppenbergcross – and Michael Vanthourenhout, winner of the continental title in 2022 and 2023. He has already shown excellent form so far this season, winning in Dendermonde, Meulebeke and Overijse.
Other Belgians to watch include Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Joran Wyseure and Jente Michels. Wyseure, bronze medallist at the 2025 European Championships, recently a winner in Heerde.
The Netherlands will be represented by Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar and Ryan Kamp, who are determined to capitalise on the home advantage. Spain’s Felipe Orts, a key figure in major international competitions, and Britain’s Cameron Mason will help make this race even more exciting.
The Women’s Elite race promises to be just as thrilling, with the Netherlands fielding a top-class team. Reigning European champion Inge van der Heijden will be looking to defend the title she won in Middelkerke, where the Dutch athletes swept the podium.
The Dutch team will notably be bolstered by reigning world champion Lucinda Brand, who has already secured victories this season at Dendermonde, Overijse and the Koppenbergcross, as well as former world champion Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
Much attention will also be focused on Fem van Empel, European champion in 2022, 2023 and 2024, who made her return to competition this season, as well as on Aniek van Alphen, bronze medallist at the 2025 European Championships.
The Dutch team’s main rivals will include Italy’s Sara Casasola, Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber – winner at Meulebeke in early October – and France’s Amandine Fouquenet.
The Under-23 and Junior races will offer a unique opportunity to watch the next generation of European Cyclo-Cross riders in action.
In the Women’s Under-23 category, France’s Célia Géry, silver medallist in 2025, will be among the main contenders for the title alongside her compatriot Amandine Muller, who finished third at Middelkerke. The Dutch team will be able to count on Lauren Molengraaf, whilst the Czech rider Barbora Bukovská, the reigning European Junior Champion and 2026 Junior World Champion, will make her continental debut in the Under-23 category.
The Men’s Under-23 race will feature France’s Aubin Sparfel, silver medallist at the 2026 World Championships and winner of the Koppenbergcross, as well as Italians Stefano Viezzi and Filippo Grigolini, the latter making his debut in this category after winning the European Junior title last year. Other athletes to watch include Belgium’s Arthur Van den Boer and the Netherlands’ Floris Haverdings.
In the Juniors’ category, the Netherlands will have the reigning world champion Delano Heeren, whilst in the Women’s category, the Dutch team will include Nynke Jochems, silver medallist at the 2025 European Championships, in what promises to be a particularly closely contested competition.
The programme will begin on Saturday 7 November with the Women’s Juniors race (at 11.00), followed by the Men’s Under-23 race (at 13.00) and the Women’s Elite race (at 15.00).
On Sunday 8 November, the Men’s Juniors will kick off the day at 11.00, followed by the Women’s Under-23s (at 13.00), before the Men’s Elite race at 15.00 brings the event to a close.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: “The European Championships in Zeddam are a highly appealing event, in a region where Cyclo-Cross is an integral part of the culture and sporting tradition. Returning here twenty years after the 2006 World Championships gives this edition special significance and demonstrates the strong bond between this region and our sport.
Cyclo-Cross is one of the most iconic sports in the European cycling tradition, but it is also a discipline that continues to grow in popularity, capable of appealing to new generations and attracting interest from a growing number of countries, as evidenced by the participation in these Championships.
I would like to thank Golazo for its professionalism and the quality of its organisational work, the community of Zeddam for its warm welcome, and the Dutch Cycling Federation, which has always been very active in promoting and developing our sport. This event marks a new stage in an important journey that will accompany Dutch cycling until 2028, the year in which the Federation will celebrate the centenary of its foundation. It is a prestigious milestone, to which we are delighted to contribute through events of this calibre.”
