Those who enjoy a challenging cyclocross with plenty of technical sections will find the right spot in Overijse. The decades-old Druivencross has everything a cyclocross race should have and, as a round of the Telenet Superprestige, it guarantees plenty of excitement. Cyclingflash takes you through the history of the Druivencross, full of unique events.
The Druivencross in Overijse is a true classic on the cyclocross calendar. Known as the 'Mother of All Crosses,' it has been held since 1960. With names like Roland Liboton, Roger, and Erik De Vlaeminck on the honor roll, the race carries a lot of history. Liboton won the Druivencross an impressive sixteen times, largely because the race was held twice a year during the '70s and '80s.
Overijse also played a role in boosting the popularity of cyclocross throughout the last century. In 1982, André De Brouwer, then chairman of the organizing association, together with Diegem, Asper-Gavere, and Zillebeke, helped launch the Superprestige, the oldest season-long competition in cyclocross. In 2001, however, the Sportvrienden withdrew from the series after an internal dispute. Since then, the Druivencross has followed an independent course.
Nys won six times in Overijse - Photo: Cor Vos
Until the winter of 2020-2021, when Flanders Classics became co-organizer. Together with the local Sportvrienden, they brought the Druivencross into the revamped World Cup to breathe new life into it. From 2023 onwards, the Druivencross returns to the Superprestige. As a standalone cyclocross event, it was difficult to attract a strong starting field in recent decades. The collaboration with Flanders Classics is a valuable asset in this respect.
The Druivencross also has some memorable editions. Think of 2005, which we will remember forever as the year of Bart Wellens’ karate kick. The rider from the Kempen region lost his temper after multiple insults from the crowd. Or the 2014 edition, where Sven Nys had to withdraw early and consequently did not receive his agreed starting fee. The six-time winner stayed away from Overijse in the following years.
The women competed in their Druivencross for the first time in 2001. Dutch rider Daphny van den Brand won that edition and would go on to cross the line first three more times. Van den Brand holds the record with those four wins. Notably, over the last twelve years, the women’s race has had a different winner every time.
The famous karate kick – photo: Cor Vos
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Michael Vanthourenhout |
| 2024 | Thibau Nys |
| 2023 | Eli Iserbyt |
| 2022 | Michael Vanthourenhout |
| 2021 | Eli Iserbyt |
| 2021 | Wout van Aert |
| 2019 |  Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2018 | Toon Aerts |
| 2017 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| 2016 | Mathieu van der Poel |
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 |  Sara Casasola |
| 2024 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2023 | Fem van Empel |
| 2022 | Puck Pieterse |
| 2021 |  Kata Blanka Vas |
| 2021 | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2019 | Annemarie Worst |
| 2018 | Lucinda Brand |
| 2017 |  Pauline Ferrand-Prévot |
| 2016 | Sophie de Boer |
