The European cyclocross championships get under way in Zeddam today, with Nys and Vanthourenhout chasing another title on Sunday
On the course of the 2006 world championships, the elite women race today, followed on Sunday by the elite men with eight Belgians on the start line.
The European cyclocross championships are being held this weekend in Zeddam in the Netherlands. According to Wielerrevue, Saturday features the junior women (11 am), the under-23 men (1 pm) and the elite women (3 pm), with the junior men, the under-23 women and, at 3 pm, the elite men following on Sunday. The course of almost three kilometres was designed with the help of Erwin Vervecken, who became world champion there in 2006, and includes a 99-step staircase widened to three metres.
Belgium is sending eight riders in the men's race: Thibau Nys, Michael Vanthourenhout, Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Gerben Kuypers, Witse Meeussen, Jente Michels and Joran Wyseure, Wielerkrant reports. Focus-WTV recalls that Nys became European champion in 2024 and finished second last year in Middelkerke behind Toon Aerts, who is now out injured. Vanthourenhout won the title in 2022 and 2023. According to In de Leiderstrui, Nys is the top favourite after his win on the Koppenberg, where Vanthourenhout was second; Mathieu van der Poel is not taking part, Wielerrevue writes.
In the elite women's race, Julie Brouwers, Alicia Franck and Sterre Vervloet ride for Belgium. Belgian champion Marion Norbert Riberolle is absent because of a heart rhythm disorder, Focus-WTV reports. Wielerrevue names Lucinda Brand, Fem van Empel, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, defending champion Inge van der Heijden and Luxembourg's Marie Schreiber among the contenders.