The 2026 UCI cyclocross world championships in Hulst, Netherlands are almost here!
The course features technical challenges with some pretty cool additions—pontoons over water, numerous climbs, and quick descents.
Hulst has long been a hotspot for ‘cross. The worlds course builds on the popular Vestingcross, a staple of the World Cup circuit for the past five years. Riders at the world championships will tackle fortress walls, cross waterways via pontoons, and navigate a course packed with climbs and technical descents.
“These world championships will go down in the books as an unparalleled cycling festival for diehard cyclocross fans, new supporters, families, business relations and last but not least the people of Hulst and Zeeland,” the organizers said.
The biggest story is of course, will Mathieu van der Poel make history with a record-setting 8th elite rainbow jersey. He is currently tied with Eric De Vlaeminck for seven. He’s been unbeatable thus far this season (literally) and barring incident—he looks poised to take it.
Team Canada at Hulst
In the elite women’s race, national champ Maghalie Rochette and Sidney McGill will be there. For the elite men, it’s Cody Scott wearing the flag. The under-23 women is led by Rafaelle Carrier–one of the big favourites to podium…or more. She’s joined by Nico Knoll and Dorothee Peron, who have been racing much of the Euro season thus far. Mathis Duval and Rhett Bates are there for the under-23 men.
Canadian juniors have been doing quite well across the pond. For the women, Alexa Haviland and Claire Mackinnon will be chasing rainbows in Holland. Émilien Belzile, Sagan Goertz, Grayson Franks, and Farland Lamont will represent the junior men.
World championships schedule
- Friday, 30 January 2026 (EST)
- 7:35 a.m.– team relay
- Saturday, 31 January 2026 (EST)
- 5:05 a.m.– junior women
- 7:10 a.m.– u-23 men
- 9:10 a.m.– elite women
- Sunday, 1 February 2026 (EST)
- 5:05 a.m.– junior men
- 7:10 a.m.– u-23 women
- 9:10 a.m.– elite men
You can watch all the races on Flobikes.com. If you miss it, be sure to check back on Canadian Cycling Magazine for full reports and results from each race.
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