2027 cyclocross world championship course in Ostend largely same as 2021
The 2026 Cyclocross World Championships in Hulst are in full swing, but by now it is also clear on which course the rainbow jerseys will be awarded next year. That will once again take place in Ostend, where the World Championships were also held in 2021. Back then it was during the coronavirus pandemic and without spectators; now the Belgian coastal city gets to do a repeat. They will mostly use the same course.
Chris Mannaerts is the course designer in Ostend on behalf of organizer Flanders Classics. He explains the subtle differences compared to 2021. "Next year we are opting for two bridges over the tram lines. One of those bridges will start from the Wellington Hippodrome, near the esplanade, allowing riders to cross over to the beach. This means we will have less elevation gain to overcome than in 2021. The second bridge, used to return from the beach to the finish, will include a long staircase and will be placed just before the finish line."
The beach will thus once again be a decisive factor, providing not only stunning visuals but also some tough sand sections along the tide line. Unlike in 2021, there is now also a long stretch along the renewed Royal Galleries. "Another innovation is the old saltwater swimming pool site, which has since been demolished," adds Mannaerts. "We have received permission to use this area to open up the course even more and create additional experience zones. Moreover, this way we also showcase the famous Drie Gapers and the course will breathe even more Ostend."
Various key figures happy with the second chance
UCI president David Lappartient is pleased that the Cyclocross World Championships return to Ostend in six years' time. "The city was a fantastic host in 2021, despite the fact that no spectators were allowed due to the COVID pandemic and there were no junior races. Yet the images of the races on the spectacular North Sea beach were broadcast worldwide. Next year the atmosphere will be completely different, with lots of fans to cheer on the riders."
Flanders Classics is thus the organizer, which is a milestone, as CEO Tomas Van Den Spiegel’s organization has never hosted the Worlds before. "After the 2021 Road World Championships in Leuven, the 2024 Road European Championships in Hasselt, and thanks to our close cooperation with the UCI during World Cup rounds, we believe we have the right experience in house. This past winter we once again witnessed firsthand how much Flanders loves cyclocross. That means we are committed to making January 2027 a fantastic cyclocross celebration. Experience is one of the absolute core values of our organization, and in Ostend we have plenty of space to welcome thousands of cyclocross fans."
That is also extremely important for Tom Van Damme – chairman of Belgian Cycling. "At Belgian Cycling, we appreciated all the efforts made in 2021 during a very difficult period and challenging circumstances. We immediately wanted to offer all support to put a new, full-fledged edition on the calendar. Now they can go for the full experience in Ostend. We aim to bring the Cyclocross World Championships to Belgium every four to five years. We are convinced that the Worlds in Ostend will once again be a great promotion for cyclocross in our country and will bring new candidacies. Regarding the sporting aspect, Belgian Cycling will also set up a training and development program for youth to strive for maximum results with maximum commitment."
In 2021, all four world titles at the World Championships went to the Netherlands. Mathieu van der Poel and Lucinda Brand won in the elite categories, while Pim Ronhaar and Fem van Empel were the best among the U23 riders. In both women's categories there was even a fully orange podium.
