On Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5, the European cyclocross championship will take place in Pontchâteau, France, as long as the weather conditions cooperate. This event will feature various categories vying for the prestigious white and blue jerseys. In this article, IDLProCycling.com provides you with the European Championship program and keeps you updated with the results throughout the weekend!
| Men's elite | Women's elite | Men's Promises | Women's promises | Men juniors | Women juniors | |
| 2022 | Michael Vanthourenhout | Fem van Empel | Emiel Verstrynge | Puck Pieterse | Leo Bisiaux | Lauren Molengraaf |
| 2021 | Lars van der Haar | Lucinda Brand | Ryan Kamp | Shirin van Anrooij | Aaron Dockx | Zoe Bäckstedt |
| 2020 | Eli Iserbyt | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado | Ryan Kamp | Puck Pieterse | ❌ | ❌ |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel | Yara Kastelijn | Mickaël Crispin | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado | Thibau Nys | Puck Pieterse |
| 2018 | Mathieu van der Poel | Annemarie Sausage | Tom Pidcock | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado | Pim Ronhaar | ❌ |
| 2017 | Mathieu van der Poel | Sanne Cant | Eli Iserbyt | Chiara Teocchi | Loris Rouiller | ❌ |
Pontchateau is a well-known venue in the world of cyclocross. The French town has hosted numerous major events in the past, including World Cups, European Championships (most recently in 2016), and World Cups. Typically, the course is fast and conducive to tight racing. However, the organizers have introduced some changes to make the French hill course more challenging.
IDLProCycling.com asked the Dutch national coach, Gerben De Knegt, and the Belgian national coach, Sven Vanthourenhout, about their expectations for this circuit. De Knegt, who raced another World Cup there in 2004 and was also the national coach in 2016, highlighted the significance of weather conditions. He mentioned the predictions of heavy rain for the upcoming week, which might turn the course into a mudfest. This would create a fair race, where the best riders would likely prevail.
Vanthourenhout also shared his thoughts about the unpredictable weather in Pontchateau. He acknowledged that the weather conditions could play a crucial role, and as he had never been to Pontchateau in such a capacity, they needed to assess how the course would be affected. In case the race turns out to be slow like the Koppenberg, he anticipated less tactical complexity. However, if they encounter a scenario similar to the 2016 European Championship in Pontchateau, where riders stayed together for an extended period, it would require more strategic thinking.
As in most other years, the European Championships feature six individual categories: elite men, elite women, U23 men, U23 women, junior men, and junior women. In a new development this year, the Mixed Team Relay will also take place (on Friday). However, many countries do not seem to be enthusiastically participating in this event. The organization has conveniently provided a list of all participants categorized by their respective events, which can be found here.
15:15 p.m.: Mixed Team Relay.
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11:00 a.m.: Juniors women.
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13:30 p.m.: Promises men.
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15:00 p.m.: Elite women
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11:00 a.m.: Junior men.
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13:30 p.m.: Promises women.
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15:00 p.m.: Elite men.
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The European Championship can be followed at both Sporza (VRT1) and Eurosport (Eurosport 1 and online channels). Saturday you can watch the promises men (1:30 p.m.) and the elite women (3 p.m.) live. Sunday follows at 1:30 p.m. the promises women and at 3 p.m. the elite men.