The road season is drawing to a close, and that can only mean one thing — it’s cyclocross time. The stars of the mud are gearing up for a 2025/26 campaign packed with iconic races: World Cups, the European Championships, the World Championships… Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Thibau Nys and many more are ready to chase new goals in one of cycling’s most beautiful disciplines.

The first major highlight of the season will be the European Championships, taking place on 8–9 November. In 2024, Thibau Nys took victory and the European title.

The season will then reach its climax between 30 January and 1 February, when the World Championships are held. There, Mathieu van der Poel will be chasing a record-breaking eighth rainbow jersey, which would see him surpass Erik De Vlaeminck as the most successful male rider in the history of the sport.


Mathieu van der Poel: Chasing History

For Mathieu van der Poel, this winter isn’t just about defending his title — it’s about standing alone as the most successful male cyclocross rider of all time.

The Dutchman has been resting from the road since August, after a superb spring and summer that included victories at Milano–Sanremo, Paris–Roubaix, the E3 Saxo Classic and a Tour de France stage. That recovery time could make him even more formidable in the mud.

Thibau Nys and Tibor Del Grosso: The Next Generation

If anyone still doubted Thibau Nys’s credentials beyond his famous surname, last season dispelled them. The Belgian enjoyed a breakout campaign, winning both the Belgian and European Championships and taking bronze at the Worlds behind Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. He’ll be aiming to build on that this winter after a road season that started well but faded over time.

Meanwhile, Tibor Del Grosso confirmed his status as a top prospect by defending his U23 world title at just 21 years old. Fast, technically superb and consistent, the Dutchman looks ready to challenge the very best in the elite ranks sooner rather than later.Cyclocross 2025/26: Full Race CalendarSeptember 202514.09 – Kleeberg Cyclocross
October 202504.10 – Berencross Meulebeke (Exact Cross)
16.10 – Kermiscross Ardooie
18.10 – Robotland Cyclocross Essen (Exact Cross)
19.10 – Ruddervoorde (Superprestige)
19.10 – GP Oisterwijk
21.10 – Nacht van Woerden
25.10 – Cyclocross Heerderstrand (Exact Cross)
26.10 – Vlaamse Druivencross Overijse (Superprestige)
November 202501.11 – Koppenbergcross Oudenaarde (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
02.11 – Rapencross Lokeren (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
08–09.11 – European Championships, Middelkerke/Lombardsijde
11.11 – Jaarmarktcross Niel (Superprestige)
15.11 – Aardbeiencross Merksplas (Superprestige)
16.11 – Flandriencross Hamme (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
16.11 – VAM-Berg Cyclocross (Individual race)
23.11 – UCI World Cup Tábor
30.11 – UCI World Cup Flamanville
December 202507.12 – Cabras, Sardinia (World Cup)
13.12 – Leiecross/Urban Cross Kortrijk (Exact Cross)
14.12 – Namur (World Cup)
20.12 – Antwerpen Scheldecross (World Cup)
21.12 – Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde (World Cup)
22.12 – Plage Cross Hofstade (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
23.12 – Heusden-Zolder (Superprestige)
26.12 – Asper-Gavere (World Cup)
28.12 – Dendermonde (World Cup)
29.12 – Loenhout Azencross (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
30.12 – Diegem (Superprestige)
January 202601.01 – GP Sven Nys Baal (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
02.01 – Zilvermeercross Mol (Exact Cross)
03.01 – Cyclocross Gullegem (Superprestige)
04.01 – Zonhoven (World Cup)
10–11.01 – Belgian Championships, Beringen
12.01 – Otegem
18.01 – UCI World Cup Benidorm
24.01 – UCI World Cup Maasmechelen
25.01 – GP Adrie van der Poel Hoogerheide (World Cup)
30.01–01.02 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Hulst
February 202604.02 – Parkcross Maldegem (Exact Cross)
07.02 – Noordzeecross Middelkerke (Superprestige)
08.02 – Krawatencross Lille (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
14.02 – Waaslandcross Sint-Niklaas (Exact Cross)
15.02 – Brussels Universities Cyclocross (X²O Badkamers Trofee)
22.02 – Sluitingsprijs Oostmalle (World Cup)