How To Watch The 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
How To Watch The 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
The 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships will be held in Hulst, in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, from Jan. 30-Feb.1. Here’s how to watch.
While the summer usually belongs to the long-format road races, the colder months are about the cyclocross action, which tests riders over the most rugged terrain, full of obstacles, water, sand, stairs, rocks and more – and when it comes to the course and the weather – the messier, the better.
Often, the course is so treacherous that competitors are forced off their bikes and must push or carry them over the most challenging stretches of the circuit.
The best cyclocross riders in the world will test their skills and patience at the upcoming 2026 Rabobank UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, which will be held in Hulst, in the southwestern part of the Netherlands, from Jan. 30-Feb.1.
Though the race has been held in the Netherland before, this year marks the first visit to Hulst, and viewers in the United States and Canada can catch all of the action live on FloBikes and the FloSports app.
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As hardcore cycling fans know, the Netherlands and many surrounding countries are a hotbed for racing and a variety of long- and short-form races. Many have long histories, iconic terrain and familiar host cities, where enthusiastic fans line the roadsides.
With so much history and tradition to live up to, race organizers in Hulst have had to work hard to make sure the 77th edition of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships is unforgettable for both fans and competitors.
The course has been described as “innovative” and “challenging” and promise a sensational experience for everyone involved.
The Cyclo-cross World Championships is the final event of the season for the sport’s top tier, which includes 15 events – World Cup (12), continental championships (two) and the UCI World Championships – and runs from August through early February.
Since Hulst already has experience with cyclocross in the form of a famous race known as The Vestingcross, that race and its course were the foundation for what riders will experience at the World Championships.
Among the additions to the course are pontoon crossings, steep elevation changes, fortress walls and challenging descents, among other features. There also has been extra attention given to making the experience unforgettable for spectators, who will get to enjoy the comfort of sizable grandstands along the course and fans zones where they can watch with other fans who favor the same riders or countries.
All of the extra effort is to help achieve the intensity and atmosphere of other elite sporting events. There’s even a celebrity cyclocross event planned that will feature well-known local personalities.
From a technical standpoint, the course is 3.3 kilometers with 150 meters of height, eight bridges, five pontoons and two descents/climbing sections.
And, as always, the riders from the elite ranks will mount their bikes with their sights set on the rainbow jerseys awarded to world champions – a token and reminder they’ll get to wear when they race next season.
How To Watch The 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Highlights, race replays and breaking news will be available on both platforms.
If you’re going to be in the Netherlands and want to watch the event in person, click here for spectator and ticket information.
What Happened At The 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships?
In 2025, the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships was held in Lievin, France, the competition’s first stop in France since 2004. The inaugural event in 1950 was held in Paris, and France has played host nine times overall.
The Elite Men’s winner in 2025 was Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands, who won the title for the third consecutive time and record-tying seventh time overall – all since 2015. This year will be Van der Poel’s second opportunity to win four straight times, and he’ll get to do it on his home soil.
Belgium’s Erik De Vlaeminck won seven times from 1966-1973, while six riders overall have won four or more times.
The Elite Women’s race in 2025 was won by Fem van Empel, also from the Netherlands and also a winner for the third consecutive year.
Van der Poel is expected to be back this year, but Van Empel’s entry has not yet been confirmed.
What Events Will Take Place At The 2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships?
- Team Relay (Jan. 30)
- Junior Women (Jan. 31)
- U23 Men (Jan. 31)
- Elite Women (Jan. 31)
- Junior Men (Feb. 1)
- U23 Women (Feb. 1)
- Elite Men (Feb. 1)
2026 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Schedule
All Times Eastern
Thursday, Jan. 29
- 3-5 a.m. - UCI course inspection
- 8-10 a.m. - Official training
Friday, Jan. 30
- 3-5:30 a.m. - Rider confirmation, Rabobank UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
- 5-7 a.m. - Official training
- 7:35-8:30 a.m. - Team relay
- 8:45-10 a.m. - Official training
- 11-11:30 a.m. - Team managers’ meeting
Saturday, Jan. 31
- 3-4:45 a.m. - Official training
- 5:05 a.m. – Junior Women (race)
- 5:45-6:45 a.m. - Official training
- 7:10 a.m. – U23 Men (race)
- 8-8:45 a.m. - Official training
- 9:10 a.m. – Elite Women (race)
- 10:45-11:30 a.m. - Social cyclo-cross ride, “Hard at Heart”
Sunday, Feb. 1
- 3-4:45 a.m. - Official training
- 5:05 a.m. – Junior Men (race)
- 5:45-6:45 a.m. - Official training
- 7:10 a.m. – U23 Women (race)
- 8-8:45 a.m. - Official training
- 9:10 a.m. – Elite Men (race)
The time difference from the Netherlands (Central European Time) to Eastern Standard Time is six hours.
Who Were The Winners At The 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships?
Elite Events
- Men’s Elite – Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands)
- Women’s Elite – Fem van Empel (Netherlands)
Under-23 Events
- Men’s U23 – Tibor Del Grosso (Netherlands)
- Women’s U23 – Zoe Backstedt (Great Britain)
Junior Events
- Men’s Junior – Mattia Agostinacchio (Italy)
- Women’s Junior – Lise Revol (France)
Mixed Team Relay
- Zoe Backstedt, Darlison Milo Wills, Maia Zoe Roche, Oscar Amey, Cat Ferguson, Thomas Mein (Great Britain)
The Moment Tadej Pogacar Took Over World Championships 2025
Gregor Brown reports from Kigali after Tadej Pogačar produced one of the most devastating attacks in modern cycling at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. The Slovenian star launched his move with 100 kilometers still to race, dropping Isaac Del Toro and ripping the peloton apart on the roads of Rwanda.
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