Ecstatic Norbert-Riberolle gets to succeed Cant: "It's truly bizarre, really very bizarre"
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleAfter 15 years of Sanne Cant's dominance, Marion Norbert-Riberolle takes over the mantle. After winning the Belgian National Championships Cyclo-cross in Heusden-Zolder, the Crelan-Corendon rider will now get to wear the Belgian tricolor jersey for a year. For the 26-year-old Belgian, this victory is already the crowning achievement of her season. Earlier this year, she claimed two cyclo-cross wins, both in the Exact Cross series: one in Loenhout and one in Essen.
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Norbert-Riberolle's victory was a commanding one. Laura Verdonschot finished second, but at a significant distance of over 40 seconds. "Belgian champion... Yeah, I don’t really know how that feels yet. I’m curious to know how Sanne felt all those years. It’s amazing, and the Belgian fans are fantastic. I’m super happy," Norbert-Riberolle said in the post-race flash interview.
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Norbert-Riberolle tried to stay calm after tough start
The race didn’t begin smoothly for the new champion. Entering the field, she collided with another rider, forcing an early bike change. This immediately put her on the back foot. Despite the setback, she did not panic. "I’m someone who experiences a lot of stress in life, but today I stayed calm. At the start, it was a real fight, and the collision damaged my front wheel. I thought: okay, stay calm. It’s just the beginning, and this happens almost every weekend. I nearly always have to recover from a bad start, so panicking won’t help."
Her ability to remain calm paid off. She closed the gap quickly and caught up to the leaders by the second lap. From there, she didn’t hold back. "I’m not one to wait, so in a technical corner, I thought: I’m done waiting, this is my moment. And I went for it." And wow, she sure did! Her competitors didn’t see her again as she rode her way to the Belgian title.
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Norbert-Riberolle won the Exact Cross in Loenhout
How will she celebrate her win?
This victory marked a significant moment in Belgian cyclo-cross history. For the first time in 15 years, the Belgian tricolor jersey won’t be worn by Sanne Cant. However, the jersey stays within the same team. "It’s truly bizarre, really very bizarre. For me, the Belgian champion has always been Sanne. The idea of seeing her without that jersey feels so strange. Becoming Belgian champion after Sanne is something really special, also for the team," Norbert-Riberolle shared.
A performance like that deserves a celebration, and Norbert-Riberolle already has plans. "I’ve been craving frituur (Belgian fast food shop that sells fries, ed.) for so long. So tonight, I know for sure: I’m heading to the frituur," she said. And what will the new Belgian champion order? "A Bicky Burger with joppie sauce — there's nothing better," she concluded with a laugh.
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Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026