Duinencross Koksijde returns to iconic finish and adds even more sand

When you say Koksijde, you naturally think of sand. And in the 2025 Duinencross, there will be even more sand than before. But the most significant change you'll see this coming Sunday, December 21, is the return to the iconic finish area of the 1994 World Championships.

Everyone still remembers the footage of an ecstatic Paul Herygers receiving the rainbow jersey in the coastal town on Robert Vandammestraat back then. For safety reasons, the finish was moved in 2012 for the Cyclo-cross World Championships to the airforce base grounds, where the finish remained a staple until last winter.

"But with the new management, we decided this year to return to Robert Vandammestraat," said Jan Deramoudt, chairman of Véloclub Koksijde. "It's a nod to Paul Herygers and our rich history, but the main reason was to bring the race closer to the heart of Koksijde village. The airfield was more remote, whereas now there’s more atmosphere and the race is brought closer to the people."

That also changes the entire dynamic of the race. "Around the airfield, there was a kind of recovery section in the course. That’s now heavily reduced. In my opinion, it has become a tough and intense course, where the sand specialist will shine even more. Especially because the riders come straight from the dunes onto the asphalt. That could make for some interesting tactics."

The highlights of the course remain the Herygersduin, the longest sand section approached from both sides, and the Albertduin, where riding at the very top is no easy feat. The dunes are named after riders who became world champions in Koksijde. "We also added a third, small sandy climb to the course. Since this edition, we’ve named it after Walter Maes, our course builder. He passed away two weeks after our January event and played an important role in our race," said Deramoudt. Maes designed the course for the 2012 World Championships.

The chairman is particularly proud of the course he can present. "We insisted on honoring our status as a sand cross. Riding on sand is a specialty in itself, where both physical strength and technique are crucial. That there’s even more sand and dunes than before is only good for our uniqueness and identity," concludes the West Fleming.