{"id":58511,"title":"Professional cyclocross season preview 2026-27","description":"Complete guide to the professional cyclocross season 2026-27 including rider and team changes and major changes to the cyclocross calendar for the upcoming season.","content":"

How we use cookies on the Rijden website<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

The riders are completing their pre-season training sessions. The mechanics are feeverishly gluing tubulars on to rims. Fans are dusting off the banners which proclaim their devotion to a favoured rider.<\/p>

The professional cyclocross season is almost upon us, and here at Rijden we can hardly wait. It opens at Dendermonde on Sunday, 11 October, with the opening round of the newly named HG Cross, which replaces the Exact Cross series.<\/p>

\"ImageShe\u2019s back. Former World Champion Fem van Empel is expected to make her return to cyclocross this season.<\/em><\/p>

The big news is that Fem van Empel is back and ready to challenge the supremacy of Lucinda Brand. For British fans, the UK is hosting its second-ever round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup when Glasgow plays host to the world\u2019s best on 13 December.<\/p>

Oostende is the location of this year\u2019s World Championships, ensuring the focus of the cyclocross world will be firmly upon the sport\u2019s heartland. The pressure on the home riders and the atmosphere will be incredible. It\u2019s going to be another magic year of field riding.<\/p>

We\u2019ve done our best to bring you up to speed with all the significant team changes and tweaks to the calendar.<\/p>

EXPLAINER<\/strong>: What is the professional cyclocross season?<\/em><\/strong> Unlike professional road cycling, which has a very clear structure and obvious distinction between paid-professionals, development riders and amateurs, the gap between professional cyclocross riders and their lesser peers is quite hazy.<\/em><\/p>

There are very few races in which all of the competitors are true professionals in the sense they have a professional contract and derive their living exclusively or principally from cycling. Even the Belgian National Cyclocross Championship for elite men, whilst it only includes riders with a contract, will include those for whom it is a part-time role<\/em>.<\/p>

We therefore define the professional cyclocross calendar as those races which form part of the European based televised series, which is the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Superprestige series, X\u00b2O Badkamers Trofee, HG Cross series, any other UCI races within Belgium, the European and World Championships<\/em>.<\/p>

<\/p>

Rider and team changes<\/h2>

The rider and team shuffling is virtually complete. Who is riding where this year?<\/p>

READ MORE<\/strong>: Read Rijden\u2019s full<\/em> guide to the cyclocross teams and riders <\/em><\/strong><\/a>you\u2019re likely to see on television this year<\/em>.<\/p>

\"Read<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Specialized TMRW<\/h3>

Fem is back<\/p><\/blockquote>

Multiple-time cyclocross World Champion Fem van Empel<\/strong> stepped off her bike midway through the 2026 Koppenbergcross and seemingly away from the sport. After a period of reflection and time enjoying herself, the twenty-four-year-old is back with a brand new team.<\/p>

Although it had already been announced that she\u2019d ride for FDJ United - SUEZ, there\u2019s been little mention that she\u2019d also be riding for their sister cyclocross team, the brand new Specialized TMRW. TMRW apparently stands for tomorrow.<\/p>

Van Empel will start the season languishing in 180th place in the UCI cyclocross rankings, which will require her to start well down the grid. It's not a situation you'd expect to last for too long.<\/p>

She\u2019ll be joined by her new FDJ United - SUEZ teammate C\u00e9lia Gery, who switches for cyclocross from the AS Bike Racing \/ France Literie outfit. Gery is the elite French Champion and was third at Hulst in the U23 World Championships behind Leonie Bentveld.<\/p>

The team is completed with fellow FDJ United - SUEZ team members Anja Grossman and Jade Wiel.<\/p>

ABOUT RIJDEN<\/strong>: <\/span>Rijden grew from a passion for Flemish-style cycle racing. We're a small UK independent that publishes this free online cycling magazine and sustainable gifts for fans of cycling\u2019s classics and cyclocross. Read <\/em>more about Rijden<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>

Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions<\/h3>

Annmarie joins Lucinda<\/p><\/blockquote>

Good friend of Lucinda Brand, Annmarie Worst, having been let go by Seven Racing, joins the world number one at Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions. Since Lucinda narrowly beat Annmarie to take her first World title at Oostende in 2021, their paths have taken a different trajectory.<\/p>

Brand is now the undisputed top female cyclocross rider, whilst Worst has failed to achieve a podium in the past two seasons. Only time and the harsh realities of the field will determine whether the move achieves a career revamp.<\/p>

Former Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions rider Fleur Moors will ride the winter for her World Tour team Lidl-Trek, where she will be joined by new signing Blanka Vas. Shirin van Anrooij is another departure. She joins Zoe Backstedt at Canyon\/\/SRAM.<\/p>

Alpecin-Premier Tech<\/strong><\/h3>

Haverdings joins, but what of VdP?<\/p><\/blockquote>

The team of the first two in the UCI rankings is strengthened by the signing of David Haverdings from Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions.<\/p>

But the real question is whether Mathieu van der Poel will be seen on his cyclocross bike this season. The reigning World Champion has been cryptic in his responses, and his brother David has suggested that impending fatherhood and a draining road season may cause him to skip a year.<\/p>

Race organisers, whose income is boosted by his presence, will hope for a change of heart.<\/p>

Fenix - Premier Tech<\/strong><\/h3>

Junior World Champions join<\/p><\/blockquote>

Alpecin-Premier Tech\u2019s fellow Roodhoft brothers\u2019 team, Fenix - Premier Tech, has also increased its cyclocross talent with the acquisition of Lise Revol and Barbora Bukovsk\u00e1. The pair are both recent junior cyclocross World Champions.<\/p>

777TV CX Team<\/strong><\/h3>

New name and new rider<\/p><\/blockquote>

As mentioned above, Annmarie Worst has left Seven Racing, now renamed the 777TV CX Team, and has been replaced by Lauren Molengraaf. Lauren was supported last year by the Roodhoft brothers, who established Team EKO\u00cf to support her, H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Clauzel and Ryan Kamp.<\/p>

It won\u2019t be a big change for Lauren as the 777TV CX Team is also a Roodhoft brothers outfit.<\/p>

Crelan-Corendon<\/h3>

Crelan-Corendon, the final Roodhooft brothers' team, have bolstered its squad with two new riders. Kristina Zemanov\u00e1, the U23 silver medallist at the 2024 World Championships, who achieved five victories in UCI cyclocross races last season, has joined from VIF Cycling Team.<\/p>

It was, however, her performances at the World Cups and World Championships that stood out. Highlights were second, only five seconds down on Lucinda Brand at the Azencross, second behind Puck Pieterse at Hoogerheide and eleventh in her first elite World Championship.<\/p>

Soren Bruy\u00e8re Joumard joins as a first-year U23, having won nine UCI races last year, including the World Cup Hoogerheide.<\/p>

\"Gifts<\/u><\/a><\/p>

Heizomat - Cube<\/strong><\/h3>

Joris is the star<\/p><\/blockquote>

From the original cyclocross lineup of Ridley Racing Team, launched in November 2024, only Daan Soete remains, and he will focus on Gravel.<\/p>

Felipe Orts will be part of the Euskatel foundation (see below), Lore Sas just disappeared, and Joris Nieuwenhuis signed for Heizomat -Cube. The powerful Dutch rider was the nearly man of the previous season. He scored ten podiums, a few victories and was fourth at the World Championships. Will a new team give him the impetus to impose himself more?<\/p>

Danny van Liverpool joins from the defunct Orange Babies. As a first-year senior, he didn't set the world alight last year, but showed some promise. His best result was sixth at the snowy Zilvermeercross.<\/p>

Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw<\/h3>

Van man joins Pauwels Sauzen<\/p><\/blockquote>

Anton Ferdinande has signed for Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw, seven years after he last rode for the team. For the past few seasons he's been riding in the colours of club team Shifting Gears Strategica.<\/p>

His best result in a televised cross during the 2025-26 season was fourth at the Leiecross in Kortrijk. He remains uncontracted, which effectively means he's not a professional. He\u2019ll continue his work as a van driver alongside riding for Pauwels Sauzen.<\/p>

Manon Bakker<\/strong><\/h3>

Riding for charity<\/p><\/blockquote>

Former Crelan - Corendon rider Manon Bakker has yet to find a new team after she was let go by the Roodhooft brothers\u2019 set-up at the end of the 2025-26 season.<\/p>

The twenty-seven-year-old Dutch rider has scored eight elite victories, including the 2023 World Cup at Val di Sole. More recently, she's suffered from a pelvic artery issue, but still managed third place at the 2026 Brussels Universities Cross.<\/p>

For the 2026-27 season, she will represent the charity Alpe d'HuZes, which raises money for scientific research into cancer and improving the quality of life for people with cancer.<\/p>

Felipe Orts<\/h3>

Spanish independent<\/p><\/blockquote>

Spanish cyclocross Champion Felipe Orts, whose contract with the Ridley Racing Team expired in September, has signed with the Euskatel-Euskadi squad until 2028.<\/p>

He\u2019ll ride for the Spanish team on the road and will be backed by the Euskadi Foundation in cyclocross, where he'll compete as an independent with support from personal sponsors.<\/p>

The road team compete on Chinese-brand Quick Pro bikes who don't currently produce a dedicated cyclocross frame.<\/p>

Charles Li\u00e9geois CX Team<\/strong><\/h3>

It's bad news for the coffee team<\/p><\/blockquote>

It's not been great for the Charles Li\u00e9geois CX Team recently. Their standout rider, Toon Aerts, has injured his knee, and it's unknown when his season will start.<\/p>

First-year U23 Giel Lejeune was supposed to sign for the team, but has joined Alpecin Premier - Tech\u2019s development team instead.<\/p>

Team Bomba JOIN<\/strong><\/h3>

New team, but no women?<\/p><\/blockquote>

The name of Mees Hendrikx and Ryan Kamp\u2019s new team has been revealed as Team Bomba Join. The backers are Laurens ten Dam and Stefan Bolt, who operate the cycling media platform Live Slow Ride Fast.<\/p>

No other riders have yet been named, which is odd because the UCI\u2019s rules state that they must have at least one female team member.<\/p>

De Ceuster Bouwkranen<\/strong><\/h3>

Gariboldi and Peeters to shine?<\/p><\/blockquote>

The two newest team members, Italian Rebecca Gariboldi and first-year U23 Zita Peeters, represent exciting prospects. Twenty-nine-year-old Gariboldi had several top-ten places in televised crosses last year, and this will be her first season focusing on Belgian races.<\/p>

Zita Peeters has moved up from the De Ceuster - Acrog team with a string of victories in the junior ranks and third at the Belgian Championships.<\/p>

<\/p>

Event changes<\/h2>

How have the four main televised cyclocross series changed this year?<\/p>

READ MORE<\/strong>: Read Rijden\u2019s full calendar of cyclocross races on TV<\/strong><\/a>, which includes the four main series and more.<\/p>

\"Read<\/u><\/a><\/p>

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup<\/h3>