Twenty years after the 2006 Cyclocross World Championships, Zeddam (Netherlands) is preparing to host another major international event. On November 7 and 8, the Dutch municipality in the province of Gelderland will be the venue for the 2026 UEC European Cyclocross Championships which will award six continental titles (Junior, Under 23 and Elite men's and women's).

With 299 athletes registered representing 25 nations, the Zeddam edition promises to be one of the most participated editions in the history of the European Championships. Numbers that confirm the growing international appeal of cyclocross, a discipline deeply rooted in the tradition of European cycling and capable of engaging an ever-increasing number of countries.

The Zeddam course features the typical characteristics of Dutch cyclocross, with technical and challenging sections and the famous staircase completely renovated for the occasion, one of the most recognizable elements of the track.

From a sporting perspective, the 2026 edition presents a particularly notable entry list, featuring numerous European and world champions, along with some of the main protagonists of the international season.

In the Elite Men's race, Belgium will present a particularly competitive lineup, led by Thibau Nys, European champion in 2024 and silver medalist last year, recent winner of the Koppenbergcross, and Michael Vanthourenhout, winner of the continental title in 2022 and 2023. The latter has already demonstrated excellent form at the start of this season, winning at Dendermonde, Meulebeke and Overijse.

Among other Belgians to watch are Laurens Sweeck, Niels Vandeputte, Joran Wyseure and Jente Michels. Wyseure, bronze medalist at the 2025 Europeans, recently claimed victory at Heerde. The Netherlands will be represented by Joris Nieuwenhuis, Pim Ronhaar and Ryan Kamp, determined to take advantage of racing in front of their home crowd. Adding further interest to the competition will be Spaniard Felipe Orts, a constant presence at the top of major international competitions, and Briton Cameron Mason.

Equally interesting will be the Elite Women's race, in which the Netherlands can count on a formation of absolute prestige. Defending European champion Inge van der Heijden will seek to defend the title she won at Middelkerke, where Dutch athletes monopolized the podium. Completing the Dutch lineup will be, among others, reigning world champion Lucinda Brand, already a winner this season at Dendermonde, Overijse and the Koppenbergcross, and former world champion Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado. Great attention will also be focused on Fem van Empel, European champion in 2022, 2023 and 2024, who has returned to competition this season, and Aniek van Alphen, bronze medalist at the 2025 Europeans.

Challenging the Dutch lineup will be, among others, Italian Sara Casasola, Luxembourger Marie Schreiber, winner at Meulebeke in early October, and Frenchwoman Amandine Fouquenet.

The Under 23 and Junior competitions will provide an important opportunity to admire the new generations of European cyclocross. Among the Women Under 23, Frenchwoman Célia Géry, silver medalist in 2025, will be among the main protagonists alongside fellow countrywoman Amandine Muller, who completed the Middelkerke podium. The Dutch lineup will be able to count on Lauren Molengraaf, while Czech Barbora Bukovská, outgoing European Junior champion and 2026 Junior world champion, will make her continental Under 23 debut.

In the Men Under 23 race, Frenchman Aubin Sparfel, silver medalist at the 2026 Worlds, winner of the Koppenbergcross, and Italians Stefano Viezzi and Filippo Grigolini, the latter making his category debut after winning the European Junior title last year, will be present. Other athletes to watch include Belgian Arthur Van den Boer and Dutchman Floris Haverdings.

Among the Juniors, the Netherlands will field reigning world champion Delano Heeren, while in the Women's race, the Dutch lineup will include Nynke Jochems, silver medalist at the 2025 Europeans, in a competition that promises to be particularly open.

The program will open on Saturday, November 7 with the Women Junior race (11:00 AM), followed by Men Under 23 (1:00 PM) and Elite Women (3:00 PM).

On Sunday, November 8, Men Junior will open the day at 11:00 AM, followed by Women Under 23 (1:00 PM), before the Elite Men's race at 3:00 PM which will conclude the event.

Enrico Della Casa, President of the European Cycling Union: "The Zeddam European Championships represent an event of great appeal, in a land where cyclocross is an integral part of the culture and sporting tradition. Returning here twenty years after the 2006 World Championships gives this edition a particular significance and testifies to the strong bond between this territory and our discipline. Cyclocross is one of the most representative sports of European cycling tradition, but it is also an increasingly attractive discipline, capable of engaging new generations and arousing the interest of a growing number of countries, as demonstrated by participation in these Championships. I wish to thank Golazo for the professionalism and quality of the organizational work, the Zeddam community for their hospitality, and the Dutch Cycling Federation, which has always been very active in promoting and developing our sport. This event represents a further milestone in an important journey that will accompany Dutch cycling towards 2028, the year in which the Federation will celebrate the centenary of its founding. A prestigious milestone to which we are pleased to contribute through events of this caliber".