Koppenbergcross 2026 preview | First X2O Trophy cyclocross celebrates the comeback of Thibau Nys
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Follow us on GoogleWith the “mother of all cyclocross races” in Overijse, the first overall standings of the cyclocross winter season have kicked off. But in addition to the Superprestige, the X2O Trophy will also get underway. It starts right off with one of the most beautiful cyclocross races on the calendar. The Koppenbergcross in Oudenaarde is always a guarantee of excitement. Check out the IDL Pro Cycling preview below.
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Recent Winners of the X2O Trophy Koppenbergcross
2025 Thibau Nys / Lucinda Brand
2024 Lars van der Haar / Fem van Empel
2023 Thibau Nys / Fem van Empel
2022Lars van der Haar / Fem van Empel
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Clara Honsinger
2020 Eli Iserbyt / Annemarie Worst
2019 Eli Iserbyt / Yara Kastelijn
2018 Toon Aerts / Kim Van De Steene
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Helen Wyman
2016 Wout van Aert / Jolien Verschueren
2024 Lars van der Haar / Fem van Empel
2023 Thibau Nys / Fem van Empel
2022Lars van der Haar / Fem van Empel
2021 Eli Iserbyt / Clara Honsinger
2020 Eli Iserbyt / Annemarie Worst
2019 Eli Iserbyt / Yara Kastelijn
2018 Toon Aerts / Kim Van De Steene
2017 Mathieu van der Poel / Helen Wyman
2016 Wout van Aert / Jolien Verschueren
2026 women's Koppenbergcross highlights
2026 men's Koppenbergcross highlights
Course, weather, and times for the 2026 X2O Trophy Koppenbergcross
“Never change a winning cross,” they must be thinking in Oudenaarde.
Why on earth would you change the legendary Koppenberg Cross? As usual, the start is at the foot of the infamous hill, which has also been included so often in the Tour of Flanders. After the first climb, riders turn left into the field, immediately passing the first pit stop.
After some ups and downs at the edge of the forest, the first technical section begins. After a stretch of relatively straightforward riding, there’s a slalom section, where the muddy trail also starts to slope downward.
Next comes the second pass through the equipment station. If you run into trouble there, you’ll have to walk a long way. Immediately after that, it’s back to slaloming, this time with a bit more up and down. Also watch out for the dangerous sloped sections.
After that, the race will likely head onto another sloping section. A little closer to the finish, there will be a section for the power riders, featuring a challenging uphill stretch. Then there are just a few more turns before the cobblestones reappear. The finish line will be right at the top of the grueling Koppenberg.
Koppenbergcross Weather
Rain during a cyclocross race will always cause problems, and especially in Oudenaarde, with all the mud, steep sections, and slippery cobblestones. But this Sunday, we’re expected to have a great day, with temperatures around 12 degrees, some sunshine and a few clouds, and a gentle breeze from the northeast.
Koppenbergcross Times
- Women’s start: 1:45 p.m.
- Women’s finish: around 2:30 p.m.
- Men’s start: 3:00 p.m.
- Men’s finish: around 4:00 p.m.
Women's Favourites, 2026 X2O Trophy Koppenbergcross
Please note: The official list of participants has not yet been announced. This is the preliminary list.
She was beaten twice, but Lucinda Brand has since regained control. The world champion from Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions came out on top in Dendermonde, Ardooie, and Overijse—and by a wide margin. In Woerden and Meulebeke, however, Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime) proved too strong. Could she give her another run for her money?
The course around the Koppenberg doesn’t seem like a perfect fit for her at first glance, but she’s in good form. Moreover, she already finished fifth at a young age in 2022, her last appearance in Oudenaarde.
Last year, Célia Gery was the young surprise. The French rider finished second behind Brand, but she’s been struggling with injuries and is scheduled for surgery after the European Championships. Will she have the legs to compete again? That remains to be seen.
Read more below the photo!
Célia Gery made an impression on the Koppenberg last year.
It will be interesting to see how Sara Casasola fares in her return to competition. The Italian rider from Crelan-Corendon is capable of challenging the world’s best at times, even though this is her first cyclocross race of the year.
Others have been competing for a while now, such as Aniek van Alphen (777), who is in top form, Ceylin Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech), and Leonie Bentveld (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez). Annemarie Worst (777) and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster), who’s a strong cyclocross rider, are also in form early in the season.
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As for international riders, in addition to Schreiber, Casasola, and Gery, we should keep an eye on Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon) and Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez), who still need to take it up a notch this cyclocross season to truly compete.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks for the 2026 women's Koppenbergcross
Top Favorite: Lucinda Brand (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions)
Outsiders: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech), Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime), and Aniek van Alphen (777)
Long shots: Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon), Célia Gery (FDJ-SUEZ), Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld, Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez), Annemarie Worst (777), and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster)
Outsiders: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado (Fenix-Premier Tech), Marie Schreiber (SD Worx-Protime), and Aniek van Alphen (777)
Long shots: Sara Casasola (Crelan-Corendon), Célia Gery (FDJ-SUEZ), Krystina Zemanova (Crelan-Corendon), Leonie Bentveld, Amandine Fouquenet (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez), Annemarie Worst (777), and Denise Betsema (De Ceuster)
Men's Favorites for the 2026 X2O Trophy Koppenbergcross
In the women’s race, all eyes are on the return of Casasola and Gery to the major televised cyclocross races, but the Koppenbergcross will also feature a comeback in the men’s race.
Specifically, that of the defending champion: Thibau Nys (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions) also rode his first race of the season last year in Oudenaarde—and won right away. Can he pull off that feat again?
But first, he’ll have to get past Michael Vanthourenhout. Just like Brand in the women’s race, the Belgian rider from Pauwels Sauzen-Altez has had a fantastic start to the season with three wins. In Overijse, too, he was by far the best.
However, he has never won on the Koppenberg, with a second-place finish in 2018 as his best result. But given his current form, this year is the year it has to happen.
Joran Wyseure and Felipe Orts have also gotten off to a very consistent start to the cyclocross season. The Belgian rider from Crelan-Corendon even won at Heerderstrand, while the Spaniard, racing in his new Euskaltel–Euskadi colors, finished in the top ten in all five races.
However, in Woerden, he had to concede defeat to Joris Nieuwenhuis (Heizomat - Cube), who has had an excellent start to the season. Kevin Kühn has also put in some impressive performances for that team.
Last year, Cameron Mason pulled off a surprise second-place finish in Oudenaarde. The Scot from 777 has had a slightly slower start to the season, but he’s made the European Championships a major goal.
So he’ll need to be at the top of his game on the Koppenberg, a week earlier. Pim Ronhaar (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions) is still searching for his form, but he has already shown flashes of his class.
Jente Michels and Niels Vandeputte did the same, but the Belgians from Alpecin-Premier Tech were still unable to secure a win. For the latter, the Koppenberg has not yet proven to be a particularly favorable climb.
Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen - Altez) impressed in Overijse, but took a hard fall while riding at the front. However, if that didn’t bother him too much, he’ll be eager to prove himself again. Witse Meeussen (Crelan-Corendon) also rode a fantastic race there.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks for the 2026 men's Koppenbergcross
Top Favorites: Thibau Nys (Baloise - Het Poetsbureau Lions) and Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
Outsiders: Joris Nieuwenhuis (Heizomat - Cube), Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), and Cameron Mason (777)
Long shots: Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions), Kevin Kühn (Heizomat - Cube), Jente Michels, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Witse Meeussen (Crelan-Corendon), and Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
Outsiders: Joris Nieuwenhuis (Heizomat - Cube), Felipe Orts (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Joran Wyseure (Crelan-Corendon), and Cameron Mason (777)
Long shots: Pim Ronhaar (Baloise-Het Poetsbureau Lions), Kevin Kühn (Heizomat - Cube), Jente Michels, Niels Vandeputte (Alpecin-Premier Tech), Witse Meeussen (Crelan-Corendon), and Gerben Kuypers (Pauwels Sauzen-Altez)
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David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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