Although the ‘cross season feels like it just began, the first major championship showdown of the cyclocross season brings a familiar rivalry to Zeddam, with Belgium and the Netherlands supplying most of the men’s contenders. It’s been a minute since a big race was been in Zeddam– 20 years ago, back in 2006, when it hosted the worlds. But it’s a pretty rad course, with plenty of running. The course, featuring a newly restored staircase of around 100 steps, should provide a proper test for those who love to run. It was designed by none other than world champ Erwin Vervecken, who won his final world championships of three in Zeddam.

The men’s contenders

2024 Euro champ Thibau Nys arrives as the clear favourite after a big dub at Koppenbergcross, but Michael Vanthourenhout is definitely a contender for one of the nicest championship jerseys in cycling, the blue white and gold kit of Euro champ. Vanthourenhout has won it twice before.

And Nys? The Belgian has a knack for being on form right about now, having claimed the European title twice. The Dutch will have home support behind Joris Nieuwenhuis, who knows the local course particularly well. There’s also guys like Pim Ronhaar and Niels Vandeputte who could be up there. British champ Cameron Mason has been riding well and would be stoked to trade his white, red and blue national champs jersey for the Euro one, one would think.

Women’s favourites

As far as the women, Lucinda Brand comes in as the woman to beat. The world champion has been on a tear this season, taking dubs at the Koppenbergcross, Dendermonde, Ardooie and Overijse. There’s also riders like Luxembourg’s Marie Schreiber to mark as a contender. Don’t forget Italy’s Sara Casasola and France’s Amandine. The Netherlands brings a super-strong team–not just Brand. Inge van der Heijden, Aniek van Alphen, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Fem van Empel add plenty of firepower.

The women’s is race Saturday, and the men race Sunday. It’s not on Flobiles.com, but if you need a fix Thursday the second round of the Superprestige is being broadcast.

And although there are (obvi) no Canucks racing, you should expect to see riders like new national champs Tyler Clark and Sidney McGill racing across the pond soon. (Among others!)