Nothing quite captures the intensity and unpredictability of competitive cyclocross like a weekend filled with national championships across Europe. From dramatic crashes and daring solo rides to stunning comebacks and last-minute surprises, this past weekend showcased the sport’s raw excitement and relentless spirit. But here’s where it gets controversial—are these races genuinely a fair test of skill in such varied conditions, or do weather and course choices unfairly sway results? Let’s delve into the full story of who emerged victorious, covering the major headline races in detail before exploring the other notable wins across different nations.
The Top Contenders and Their Victories
Belgian Men
Thibau Nys successfully defended his Belgian crown in Beringen, a race that transitioned from controlled pacing to full-blown chaos. Despite a crashing slip and a late surge from Emiel Verstrynge, Nys managed to hold onto his title. Interested in the detailed breakdown? Check out our comprehensive race report here.
Belgian Women
Marion Norbert Riberolle faced a rough start but quickly made her way back into contention by closing the gap on Fleur Moors. When a crash ultimately turned the tide, Riberolle seized the moment to race ahead and claim the title. For the full race analysis, visit our report here.
Dutch Men
Tibor Del Grosso proved his resilience by defending his Dutch championship despite hurdles like a crash, dropping his chain, and fierce late pressure from rivals Pim Ronhaar and Lars van der Haar. Curious about how he managed to hold steady? Our detailed account is available here.
Dutch Women
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado dominated the race, finishing solo ahead of Puck Pieterse, with Lucinda Brand making up some ground after an early setback. Want to see how the race unfolded? Read our full report here.
British Championships
In South Shields, the conditions were as tough as ever—cold, wind-swept, and slippery—but Cameron Mason once again proved his mettle, securing his fourth consecutive British elite title. He experienced multiple bike changes to fine-tune his tire pressure before riding solo to the finish line. Meanwhile, in the women’s race, Anna Flynn made an impressive solo attack, defending her title against tough competition, including the reigning champion Xan Crees and Grace Inglis. Notably, Elena Day clinched the U23 crown.
Italian Showcases: Casasola and Fontana
Sara Casasola claimed her second Italian elite title after attacking in the second lap of seven, managing to stay ahead of Rebecca Gariboldi by over a minute. In the men’s race, Filippo Fontana demonstrated his consistency by securing his third consecutive title, riding solo from early on and maintaining his lead over Federico Ceolin and Gioele Bertolini.
Spanish National Championships
Felipe Orts demonstrated dominance by winning his eighth straight elite men’s title, riding solo throughout the race from the start. Kevin Suarez added another silver to his collection—his sixth second-place finish—and Mario Junquera finished third for the third year running. On the women’s side, Sofia Rodriguez successfully defended her title, finishing ahead of teammate Lucia Gonzalez and Sara Cueto. Interestingly, Lorena Patino not only finished fourth overall but also added the U23 crown to her achievements.
French Champions
In the women’s race, 20-year-old Celia Gery stunned spectators by attacking early and riding solo to claim her very first elite title, finishing ahead of defending champion Amandine Fouquenet. On the men’s side, Joris Delbove made an early attack and held on to claim his first national victory at home in Troyes. He was followed by Martin Groslambert and Timothe Gabriel. Notably absent from the men’s competition was the six-time champion Clement Venturini.
Other Notable Winners Across Europe
While the headlines highlight the top-tier nations, a host of other countries crowned their own champions, including Albania’s Olsian Velia and Nelia Kabetaj, Czech Republic’s Krystof Bazant and Kristyna Zemanova, Denmark’s Daniel Weis Nielsen and Ann Dorthe Lisbygd, and many more, each adding their own chapter to this action-packed weekend.
And this is the part most people miss—these championships do more than just crown winners. They set the stage for future rivalries, showcase emerging talent, and sometimes even spark debates about course design or race conditions. Do you think weather should be considered an equal factor in these races, or should the sport aim for safer conditions? Dive into the comments and share your thoughts—after all, every race is as much about discussion as it is about celebration.
