Cyclocross could soon become an Olympic sport and already in 2030, when the Winter Olympics will take place in the French Alps, this typically winter cycling discipline could be colored with the Olympic rings.

The chosen location for the Olympic cross race could be La Planche des Belles Filles, an iconic place linked to cycling and particularly the Tour de France. The sports daily L'Equipe broke the news, writing that La Planche des Belles Filles has applied to host cyclocross at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.

A total of four sports will be added to the 2030 Winter Olympics and cyclocross could be one of them. The project is supported by both UCI President David Lappartient and Michel Barnier, former French Prime Minister and nominated to the 2030 Winter Olympics organizing committee, so the candidacy could become a reality.

For many years, cyclocross has been trying to earn its place as an Olympic discipline. Italy, by hosting the World Cup in Vermiglio, has shown that cyclocross, usually seen in winter mud, can easily be performed on a snowy race course.

The Olympic trial should take place at La Planche des Belles Filles, the famous climb in the Vosges (and therefore not in the Alps) which has often been the scene of extraordinary battles in the Tour de France. In 2022, Vingegaard attacked Pogacar, in 2012 a superb Froome won, then in 2014 our Vincenzo Nibali succeeded, and in 2019 Fabio Aru. L'Équipe was able to read the candidacy document, which indicates the Vosges location as an unforgettable place that will guarantee much popularity for the Games.

The city of Besançon also seems to have applied to host cyclocross, but Lucie Lefèvre, the driving force behind the La Planche des Belles Filles project, seems convinced of her favorable position and of being the perfect location for the event. "We are four hours by car from Belgium and the Netherlands, where cyclocross culture is very present. We know how to handle an important event like the Olympic Games and we can guarantee the success of an event that will certainly be a great celebration".

We will have to wait for a response from the IOC, but it seems that cyclocross, after years of attempts, will finally be able to award its first Olympic gold.