One of the coolest races in ‘cross is going down Sunday–the Koppenbergcross. As you can imagine, it’s all about the (in)famous climb that is used in Ronde van Vlaanderen. If you’ve watched Flanders, you know damn well the climb is brutal. It’s around about 600 m long, averages 11.6 per cent and ramps up to 22 per cent on its steepest section.

Naturally, the legendary leg-buster is the big attraction. Sunday’s races will test who’s got the power to get up it without losing ground. It’s so bloody hard it can sometimes force riders off their bikes, while the surrounding turns and grassy sections offer plenty of other opportunities to lose time.

Brand’s title to defend

Lucinda Brand has already given her rivals something to chase this autumn. After winning at Superprestige Overijse on Oct. 25, the Dutch rider heads to Oudenaarde looking for another victory at the Koppenbergcross, where she claimed her first title last year.

Lucinda Brand signs with Canyon/SRAM through 2028 with big plans beyond racing

Célia Gery finished second in 2025, with Sara Casasola third. This will be Gery’s last race of the year, btw, as she is set to go under the knife for an iliac artery issue–similar to that Maggie Coles-Lyster had last year.

Nys gets his ‘cross season going

Thibau Nys has picked the Koppenbergcross for his first race of the winter. It’s a familiar place for the Belgian. The Lidl-Trek rider won here in both 2023 and 2025. Cameron Mason and Pim Ronhaar finished behind him last year and will be there again. So sure, no Mathieu van der Poel or Wout van Aert–yet–by the son of Sven is definitely part of the Big 3, 2.0.
Nys won’t be short of competition.

Michael Vanthourenhout has already been collecting results this season, a big dub at Overijse. He’ll have the advantage of recent racing, while Nys will be looking to turn his preparation into results.

Sunday is also the opening round of the eight-race X²O Badkamers Trofee. It’s sort of like a long stage race over the season–where the overall standings are decided by cumulative time.

You can tune into Sunday’s race on Flobikes.com. Coverage begins at 7:40 a.m. EDT. Don’t forget, this weekend is also the 2026 national ‘cross champs. This year’s event takes place at Hardwood Ski and Bike. Canadian Cycling Magazine will be on the scene so be sure to check our site for reports as well as Instagram for all kinds of content.

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