2026 Women's European Cyclocross Championships Preview | The Netherlands has competition for the first time in years
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleThis weekend, the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships are on the schedule in the Netherlands. The Dutch women again bring the strongest team, but they might not have it all their own way on Saturday. Competition comes, in particular, from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. IDL Pro Cycling previews the women's race!
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Recent Winners of the European Cyclocross Championships - Women
2025 Inge van der Heijden
2024 Fem van Empel
2023 Fem van Empel
2022 Fem van Empel
2021 Lucinda Brand
2020 Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 Yara Kastelijn
2018 Annemarie Worst
2017 Sanne Cant
2016 Thalita de Jong
2024 Fem van Empel
2023 Fem van Empel
2022 Fem van Empel
2021 Lucinda Brand
2020 Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
2019 Yara Kastelijn
2018 Annemarie Worst
2017 Sanne Cant
2016 Thalita de Jong
Course, Weather, and Schedule for the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships
Twenty years after the Cyclocross World Championships, an international cyclocross championship is returning to Zeddam. In 2006, Erwin Vervecken and Marianne Vos both claimed world titles there.
In 2026, Vervecken is involved as a course designer, including the well-known steps. These have been widened to 3 meters, bringing them into compliance with UCI requirements.
The European Championship course largely follows the World Championship course from twenty years ago, with adjustments made for a modern cyclocross race.
“The course will be a mix of different sections, with elevation changes, flat meadows, and some technical sections. Often, a course is specifically a sand or mud course, but this one will have it all,” says Vervecken.
"It's a course that will be tough even on hard ground because of the climb—that will definitely take its toll toward the end. I still remember the climb from the World Cups we raced there, and after an hour it was really grueling. But if it’s rained, the rest of the course will be selective as well,” said the Belgian.
Read more below the photo!
The course for the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships in Zeddam.
Weather report
It’s been cold and dry in the Netherlands these days, so the ground in Zeddam will be hard. Winds won’t be too strong in the Achterhoek.
Race Times (Sunday, November 8)
- Start: 2:00 p.m GMT / 9:00 a.m ET
- Finish: 3:00 p.m GMT / 10:00 a.m ET
2026 European Cyclocross Championships - Women's favourites
The Netherlands has won the last eight editions of the European Cyclocross Championships in the elite women’s category, and national team coach Gerben de Knegt will not be eager to relinquish that title in Zeddam. Last year, we saw how the Dutch women can play off each other, a situation from which Inge van der Heijden, as an underdog, benefited at the time.
In 2026, Lucinda Brand is the clear favourite. She won the past two Sundays in Oudenaarde and Overijse, quickly dispelling any lingering doubts that had arisen after she was beaten twice previously. In any case, she’ll be lining up at the start in her home country this Sunday with plenty of motivation.
"Ever since I heard that the European Championships are being held in Zeddam, I've been really looking forward to it. I never raced there during the World Cup series or the 2006 World Championships, but it really is a classic in cyclocross, even though no races have been held there for twenty years now,” Brand said.
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Her biggest rival is red, white, and blue—but not Dutch: Marie Schreiber was the woman who won in Meulebeke and Overijse, thereby making a name for herself ahead of the first championship of the winter.
The fact is that she’s up against an overwhelming majority of orange-clad riders. In addition to Brand, we also expect Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, the returning Fem van Empel, the in-form Aniek van Alphen, defending champion Inge van der Heijden, the resurgent Denise Betsema, and Manon Bakker, who has already won six cyclocross races in the U.S. this season. What a lineup, what a lineup!
Other riders to watch include the French riders Amandine Fouquenet and Hélène Clauzel, Sara Casasola ( Italy)—who put in an outstanding performance on the Koppenberg with a second-place finish—and Krystina Zemanova of the Czech Republic.
IDL Pro Cycling top picks, 2026 Women's European Cyclocross Championships
Top Favorites: Lucinda Brand (Netherlands) and Marie Schreiber (Luxembourg)
Dark horses: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Fem van Empel (Netherlands), Amandine Fouquenet (France), and Sara Casasola (Italy)
Long shots: Aniek van Alphen, Inge van der Heijden, Denise Betsema, Manon Bakker (Netherlands), Helene Clauzel (France), and Krystina Zemanova (Czech Republic)
Dark horses: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, Fem van Empel (Netherlands), Amandine Fouquenet (France), and Sara Casasola (Italy)
Long shots: Aniek van Alphen, Inge van der Heijden, Denise Betsema, Manon Bakker (Netherlands), Helene Clauzel (France), and Krystina Zemanova (Czech Republic)
How to watch the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships on TV
The elite races at the European Cyclocross Championships will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK and on FloSports and HBO Max in the USA and Canada.
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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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Latest Comments
- I’m still learning the calendar: is cyclocross mainly preparation for the spring classics, or does he race it as a separate goal as well? I’d love to see him back in the mud.jeremya04-11-2026
- The article makes it sound as if Roubaix is the only classic where he has a realistic shot. He’s been close in Flanders too, and one good tactical day can change everything.jennifer1904-11-2026
- Milan-Sanremo and Roubaix is a pretty special pair of Monuments. Any clues yet on which cyclocross races he’ll target?andrewf04-11-2026
- He’s right to be realistic about Flanders with Pogačar and Evenepoel around, but you can’t count Van Aert out on those roads. If he gets the right opportunity, he has the engine and experience to take it.davidm04-11-2026
- That Roubaix win felt like such a release after all the near-misses. Brilliant to hear that joy outweighed relief for Wout.patriciaw04-11-2026
- Why would a mountain time trial be different from a normal one? Is it just that the riders have to climb the whole course?samanthak03-11-2026
- I don’t quite buy the “fear of failure” argument. Riders can race the Giro and still have confidence in July; it comes down to recovery and planning, doesn’t it?patriciaw03-11-2026
- The Giro-Tour double is a massive ask, even for the very best. Pogačar made it look almost routine in 2024, but that’s hardly a sensible benchmark for everyone else!pedalpowe2903-11-2026
- Bakelants makes a fair point: if the 2027 Tour really suits Remco, he can’t afford to dilute the build-up. That 37km flat TT will be tempting, mind.julien03-11-2026
- Mont Blanc sounds like a spectacular finish, though four climbs on the final day might be a bit much after eight hard stages. Hope the route details are clear soon.raceready703-11-2026