📸 This is what the World Championship course in Liévin has in store: The off-camber section is the main challenge during recon
Cyclocross
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Follow us on GoogleThis weekend, the Cyclo-cross World Championships take place in Liévin, France. The northern French town isn’t a regular stop on the cyclo-cross calendar, so the course isn’t widely familiar. IDLProCycling.com was on-site early on Friday to capture the key sections of the course.
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The World Championship course in Liévin, France
Short uphill start leading into the field
Right from the start, riders head uphill — not a steep climb, but the initial stretch on asphalt does have a slight incline.
At the top, they make a right turn, into the field.
In the field, a short descending switchback follows, leading to the first pit zone.
Then, the course gets muddier as riders descend onto the first bridge.
Before the toughest obstacles come into play, VIP spectators will get a double view of the riders, while the racers themselves will get a good sense of their position relative to the competition
Challenging section begins: long staircase and steep climbs
The first real obstacle: a staircase with thirteen steps, each spaced out quite far, followed by a steep descent leading into an equally steep climb — which will likely require riders to run up
Next comes an uphill stretch, where deep ruts began forming during recon. This is a great spot to create gaps
The loop ends with a narrow passage leading into a sharp left-hand turn. Immediately after, riders drop into a steep, muddy descent
Just before the blue bridge, the mud is at its worst. After crossing the bridge, they reach the second pit zone
Double climb followed by deep mud
Out of the pit, riders need to build momentum for two back-to-back climbs, with no descent in between. This could be a perfect launchpad for an explosive attack. At the top, they’ll face deep, muddy ruts
A tricky and steep descent follows, with deep tracks that could make it treacherous. The sharp left-hand turn here is particularly dangerous
Then, two short climbs come in quick succession, both featuring mud. The second climb is especially tricky due to the lack of speed leading into it
After a loop around the Belgian fan zone, riders face the most difficult section of the course — the off-camber slope
This section ends with a short, steep descent featuring several turns at the bottom
Right after, the final set of stairs appears. Following the descent, riders take the last turn before heading onto the asphalt stretch leading to the finish
Off-camber section the main concern during recon
Belgian rider Toon Aerts had the advantage of testing the course at full race speed during the mixed relay. Afterward, he warned about the rocks that might become an issue over the weekend: "There are some really deep ruts forming, and stones are starting to get exposed."
After the mixed relay, it was time for riders to recon the course. The elite women were particularly focused on the off-camber section, where many stopped to analyze their lines. Coaches like Jan Boven (Visma | Lease a Bike), Bart Wellens (Charles Liégeois Roastery CX), and Kris Wouters (Crelan-Corendon) were also present, giving their riders advice.
Many riders gathered at the top of the off-camber section, watching their teammates tackle it and trying to find the best line for themselves
Several riders struggled on this part of the course. Visma | Lease a Bike sports director Jan Boven was watching closely from the top
Czech legend Zdeněk Štybar was also there, scouting the course alongside a group of Czech riders
After the short, steep descent following the off-camber section, riders face a sharp left-hand turn before swinging back to the right
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
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- 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
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