The cyclocross season will experience one of its most anticipated moments during the weekend of November 8th and 9th, when Middelkerke, a historic Belgian location overlooking the North Sea, will host the 2025 UEC Cyclocross European Championships. Two days of pure spectacle, with six continental titles at stake: Elite Men, Elite Women, Under 23 Men, Under 23 Women, Junior Men and Junior Women.

This will be an event of the highest technical and competitive level, confirming the extraordinary vitality of this discipline. A total of 283 athletes from 25 nations are registered for the continental event, a number that represents the new record for participating countries in the history of the UEC Cyclocross European Championships.

A strong signal that demonstrates the constant growth of the movement and the appeal of a specialty that continues to conquer new territories and an increasingly passionate audience.

Among the Elite Men, all eyes will be on Thibau Nys (Belgium), the reigning European champion and a crystalline talent of international cyclocross, who will be one of the great favorites thanks to his technique and ability to interpret every race condition.

His compatriot Michael Vanthourenhout, solid and consistent, protagonist of an excellent start to the season, will be one of the main rivals. Also in great condition is Joris Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands), one of the most convincing at the start of the season, while Laurens Sweeck (Belgium) could find the ideal terrain to excel on the Middelkerke course. Finally, watch out for Felipe Orts Lloret (Spain), silver medalist a year ago in Pontevedra, consistently able to position himself among the best.

Belgium will also be at the start with young elements like Emiel Verstrynge and Joran Wyseure, who are confirming their potential even among the elite. The Netherlands also present a top-tier lineup: Pim Ronhaar and Ryan Kamp, both former Under 23 world champions, are ready to insert themselves in the fight for top positions, while the experience of Lars van der Haar, always competitive in major events, could be a decisive factor.

Among the women, Fem van Empel (Netherlands) will defend the jersey she won last year. Her compatriot Lucinda Brand, already world champion, will start with the ambition of returning to the top of the continental podium. Great moment also for Sara Casasola (Italy) and Marion Norbert Riberolle (Belgium), who can count on the home crowd's support and growing form. Of particular interest will also be the presence of the French rider Amandine Fouquenet, in great shape in the first part of the season.

The Dutch contingent, as always, will be of high level: in addition to the already mentioned Van Empel and Brand, to be carefully followed is Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, former world and European champion, always dangerous on technical courses, and Denise Betsema, who on several occasions has shown to be comfortable on sandy tracks.

Among the other most interesting protagonists are the Luxembourg rider Marie Schreiber, now a constant presence at the international top, and the Hungarian Blanka Kata Vas, one of the most versatile cyclists in the European panorama, capable of excelling in multiple disciplines and always competitive in major events.

Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: "Middelkerke is a historic location for cyclocross and represents the ideal stage for this year's European Championships. The course will be spectacular and technical, as this discipline deserves. Cyclocross has never known a crisis, indeed it continues to grow steadily, including in terms of participating nations, some of which are making their debut on an international stage: the record participation of 25 countries clearly demonstrates this. We are expecting two days of great passion, with an enthusiastic audience that will make the atmosphere unique. I want to thank the City of Middelkerke with Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker and Golazo, our precious partner for the excellent organizational work."