Cyclocross 2026-27: Koppenberg, Casasola and the 12 World Cup rounds

Today, 1 November, Oudenaarde hosted the Koppenbergcross, the race that opens the X²O Badkamers Trofee. Thibau Nys won the men's race and Lucinda Brand the women's, and an Italian finished second: Sara Casasola. We tell you how it went and then put in one place what you usually find scattered across ten sites: the twelve rounds of the 2026-27 cyclocross World Cup with dates and venues, and the doubt that is still open about 13 December.

Who won the 2026 Koppenbergcross?

Nys won the men's race in 1:01:31, with Michael Vanthourenhout 7 seconds back and Gerben Kuypers 42 seconds back, according to Tuttobici. Cyclingnews confirms Nys's win after a close fight with Vanthourenhout. Before the race Cyclingnews noted two wins for Nys on this course and nine for his father Sven: if the count is right, today makes three.

Brand won the women's race in 53:29. Cyclingnews writes that she made the difference riding up the Koppenberg, and that it is her fourth win of the season. Casasola's second place, 53 seconds back, and Marie Schreiber's third at 1:22 come only from Tuttobici, which describes her as Italian champion, riding for Crelan-Corendon and making her cross debut of the season. We found no second source for the full results, so we tell you where the figure comes from.

Why the Koppenberg is a cross race of its own

Look at the photo at the top: it is the women's start in 2022, also on 1 November, with the field climbing the cobbles. It is not from today and it does not show this year's riders, but it gives you the idea. The Koppenberg is a hill of cobblestones in the middle of fields that fans of the classics know well, and Trek, in its report on Lars van der Haar's win, calls it one of the most notorious climbs in cycling.

For us it is the cross race that most recalls a classic: a cobbled ramp where you see immediately who has the legs. The numbers help to understand the effort: one hour and one minute for the men, 53 minutes for the women, at race pace from start to finish.

What are the dates of the 2026-27 cyclocross World Cup?

The 2026-27 UCI World Cup has twelve rounds between 27 November and 24 January, and the dates match between the Flanders Classics page and BrujulaBike. In November the races are in the Czech Republic, Friday 27 in Ostrava, under floodlights, and Sunday 29 in Tábor. December has the 13th (venue to be confirmed), Saturday 19 in Antwerp, Sunday 20 in Koksijde, Saturday 26 in Gavere, Sunday 27 in Namur and Tuesday 29 in Besançon, France. January closes with Sunday 3 in Zonhoven, Sunday 17 in Benidorm, Spain, Saturday 23 in Hamme and Sunday 24 in Hoogerheide, in the Netherlands.

What is not certain yet: 13 December and the Worlds

The sources do not agree on 13 December. Escape Collective writes about Glasgow, at Kelvingrove Park; the Flanders Classics page and BrujulaBike still list the venue as to be confirmed. Until an official confirmation comes out we do not write that it will be Glasgow: we will tell you as soon as it changes.

The 2027 World Championships are in Ostend, Belgium, and Wikipedia gives 29-31 January 2027, noting that the programme may still change. Flanders Classics and BrujulaBike name Ostend but give no dates, so for now 29-31 January is a date to verify, not a certainty. We have not checked who will broadcast the races in Italy either: look at the schedules close to the first round.

How to try cyclocross without being Nys

To start you do not need an expensive cross bike: in our guide Cyclocross: what it is and how to try it with the bike you have you find what to bring and how to set up your first lap. If you want company, the group rides are the place to find someone to ride with at the weekend, and in the 2027 Calendar you can mark the races of next season.

If you want to see how the cross season began, read our Overijse weekend report. And on Tuesday 3 November the Giro is presented: we covered it in the Giro 2027 rumours.

Now it is your turn: is cyclocross for you a festival of mud and crowds or something for a few experts? And do you expect to see Casasola on a World Cup podium? Tell us in the comments, and if you try a race this winter, let us know how it went.

Sources: Tuttobici (reports of 1 November 2026), Cyclingnews (race page), Flanders Classics, BrujulaBike, Escape Collective, Wikipedia (2027 Worlds), Trek Racing.