The latest cycling news roundup covers cyclocross’s potential Winter Olympics debut (and the resistance that movement is facing) — plus even more cyclocross: Laurens Sweeck’s thrilling sprint victory at Niel. Back on the road, Gent-Wevelgem will move to Middelkerke starting in 2026, the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix announced its roster, Rwanda’s wants to host a WorldTour race — and the signings and transfers continue.
TOP STORY:
- Is Cyclocross Coming to the Winter Olympics?
RACE NEWS
- Plus…Midweek Cyclocross!
- New Start Site — and New Official Name for Gent-Wevelgem
- Roster Announced for 2026 Life Time Grand Prix
- World Tour to Rwanda?
RIDER & TEAM NEWS
- Picnic PostNL Signs Dutch Talent x2
- Transfers & Transfer Rumors Swirl Around Movistar Team
Is Cyclocross Coming to the Winter Olympics?
Could we see Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel vying to win Olympic medals in the summer and the winter?
Maybe.
UCI President David Lappartient, who helped secure the French Alps as Winter Olympics host for 2030, has been lobbying hard to get ‘cross on the program. World Athletics head Sebastian Coe is pushing for both cyclocross and cross-country running, possibly on the same course. It’s a beautiful French conspiracy, really.
BUT: the Winter Olympic Federations just released a statement basically telling everyone to back off. They’re “firm in their belief” that adding cyclocross and cross-country would “dilute the brand” of winter sports. Translation: get your mud-splattered tires off our pristine snow.
The fundamental problem hasn’t changed. Winter Olympics sports must be contested on snow or ice, natural or artificial. Sure, Val di Sole has proven you can race ‘cross on snow. But let’s be honest—most cyclocross happens in Belgian mud under grey skies, not Alpine powder.
A decision isn’t expected until February 2026, during the Milan Cortina Games. Meanwhile, French locations like La Planche des Belles Filles and Besançon are competing to host. Even Thibaut Pinot joked he might un-retire for an Olympic shot on his home turf.
The politics are messy. The logistics are complicated. The old guard is resisting. And yet—cyclocross keeps showing up to this fight.
Maybe that’s the most cyclocross thing about it.
RACE NEWS
Plus…Midweek Cyclocross!
Laurens Sweeck returned to winning ways on Tuesday, taking a razor-thin sprint victory at the Telenet Superprestige Niel. The Crelan–Corendon rider edged out Niels Vandeputte by mere millimeters after a dramatic finale, with Michael Vanthourenhout finishing third to retain his lead in the overall standings.
Just two days after the European Championships in Middelkerke, the peloton gathered again for one of cyclocross’s true classics. The Jaarmarktcross in Niel — first held in 1963 — remains one of the sport’s oldest and most tradition-rich events. 2024 and 2025 European champions Thibau Nys and Toon Aerts were absent, but contenders like Vanthourenhout, Pim Ronhaar, and Joris Nieuwenhuis were on the start line.
Fan favorite Orts Lloret finished fifth on the day.
Sweeck, who had endured a rocky start to the season, showed early intent by leading into the first lap, only to be overtaken in the sand by Swiss champion Kevin Kuhn. The tempo stayed relentless, with Nieuwenhuis briefly attacking before fading, leaving Sweeck, Vandeputte, and Vanthourenhout to battle for the win.
A late crash by Vanthourenhout opened the door for Vandeputte, who built a promising gap before Sweeck clawed his way back in the penultimate lap. The trio hit the final sand section together, Vanthourenhout again attacking before fading, leaving Sweeck and Vandeputte to settle it in a tense sprint.
Sweeck’s powerful final surge carried him past Vandeputte at the line — his first win of the season, and a reminder that the former Belgian champion is far from finished.
Meanwhile, this week another Belgian — Wout van Aert — teased an earlier-than-expected return to ‘cross. I can’t wait to see if the dynamic from the last few years repeats itself — and if a few more reps puts Wout in a better position to fend off MVDP. —Mike
New Start Site — and New Official Name for Gent-Wevelgem
Flanders Classics and the municipality of Middelkerke have announced a ten-year partnership that will see Gent-Wevelgem start from the Belgian coastal town beginning in 2026. The agreement, running through 2035, marks the beginning of a new chapter for one of cycling’s most iconic spring classics.
Mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker and Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, formalized the partnership with a symbolic handshake earlier today. The men’s race will be officially renamed In Flanders Fields – from Middelkerke to Wevelgem, while the women’s event will continue to start and finish in Wevelgem. The popular Youth Day for U17, U19, and U23 riders will remain in Ypres each May.
Mayor Dedecker expressed pride in Middelkerke’s new role: “Gent-Wevelgem embodies heroism and history. Hosting the start is an honor, and fans can expect a fierce and spectacular opening to the race.” Alderman for Sport Marc Descheemaecker added, “Gent-Wevelgem is pure cycling heritage. Middelkerke now becomes part of that legacy.”
Van Den Spiegel emphasized the importance of long-term collaboration: “This partnership reflects our commitment to sustainable relationships and to preserving the race’s unique DNA rooted in World War I history.”
While the new course is still being finalized, organizers confirmed that iconic sections such as the Moeren, Kemmelberg, and Plugstreets will remain central to the route. Further details will be released ahead of the 2026 edition.
eTrashMike sez: As long as Mads is back, I’m fine with these changes!
Roster Announced for 2026 Life Time Grand Prix
Healthy lifestyle brand and event producer Life Time has unveiled the men’s and women’s rosters for the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix, the leading off-road cycling series in the U.S.
Now entering its fifth year, the Grand Prix will feature 44 elite athletes—22 men and 22 women—from 11 countries, with a record 19 riders from outside the U.S. Chosen from hundreds of applicants across 24 nations, the lineup highlights the growing global prestige of the series. Three men and three women will later earn wildcard entries based on performances at the Sea Otter Classic and UNBOUND Gravel 200.
With a record $590,000 prize purse and expanded live coverage, the 2026 edition promises the deepest field yet. “The roster we’ve assembled is set to take the series to another level,” said Michelle Duffy Smith, Life Time’s Vice President of Marketing.
WOMEN’S FIELD
Morgan Aguirre (USA); Lauren De Crescenzo (USA); Cecily Decker (USA); Maude Farrell (USA); Sofía Gómez Villafañe (Argentina); Stella Hobbs (USA); Ruth Holcomb (USA); Rosa Klöser (Germany); Sarah Lange (USA); Emma Langley (USA); Cecile Lejeune (France); Karolina Migoń (Poland); Paige Onweller (USA); Hannah Otto (USA); Hayley Preen (South Africa); Melisa Rollins (USA); Ruby Ryan (USA); Samara Sheppard (New Zealand); Courtney Sherwell (Australia); Alexis Skarda (USA); Lauren Stephens (USA); Sarah Sturm (USA).
MEN’S FIELD
Matthew Beers (South Africa); Zach Calton (USA); Cobe Freeburn (USA); Griffin Hoppin (USA); Brendan Johnston (Australia); Cameron Jones (New Zealand); Andrew L’Esperance (Canada); Bradyn Lange (USA); Payson McElveen (USA); Simen Nordahl Svendsen (Norway); Kyan Olshove (USA); Cole Paton (USA); Simon Pellaud (Switzerland); Marc Pritzen (South Africa); Torbjørn Røed (Norway); Andreas Seewald (Germany); Felix Stehli (Switzerland); Anton Stensby (Norway); Jan Stöckli (Switzerland); Caleb Swartz (USA); Keegan Swenson (USA); Alexey Vermeulen (USA).
World Tour to Rwanda?
The UCI and the Rwandan Cycling Federation are in discussions to bring a WorldTour race to Africa, federation president Samson Ndayishimiye revealed in an interview with La Dernière Heure. The move would mark a historic first for the continent, following the successful 2025 UCI Road World Championships held in Rwanda.
That event—the first elite Worlds on African soil—was hailed by the UCI as both a sporting and organizational success, though it drew criticism for providing a PR boost to Rwanda’s authoritarian government. Still, the experience appears to have fueled ambitions for more top-level racing in the region.
“We want the World Championships to leave a legacy,” said Ndayishimiye. “We’re exploring the best date and race format and want to attract a strong field of participants.”
Rwanda already hosts the Tour du Rwanda, a UCI 2.1 stage race. The goal, Ndayishimiye said, is to elevate it—or a new event—to WorldTour status. “The will is there on all sides, but we’re taking our time to make the right choices,” he added. While no firm timeline has been set, organizers say the project could launch as early as 2027.
TEAM & RIDER NEWS
Picnic PostNL Signs Dutch Talent x2
The men’s squad of Team Picnic PostNL have announced two promising Dutch additions – Frits Biesterbos and Timo de Jong – both signing through the 2027 season.
Biesterbos, from Apeldoorn, transitioned from mountain-bike focused U23 racing into the road scene. In 2024 he achieved notable podiums in Slovenia and claimed the Dutch gravel national title, before famously clinching silver at the Gravel World Championships. He says the team’s rider-development philosophy drew him in.
Meanwhile, de Jong, from Goes in Zeeland, has spent six seasons with VolkerWessels Cycling Team, earning a stagiaire role with Team Picnic PostNL in the second half of 2025. His standout year included a stage win and overall runner-up at Olympia’s Tour and a VAM-berg victory en route to seventh GC at the Tour of Holland. Head coach Rudi Kemna praised Biesterbos’s punch and mountain-bike endurance, and de Jong’s tactical acumen and classics-type ability.
Transfers & Transfer Rumors Swirl Around Movistar Team
Spanish team Movistar recently confirmed renewal of key riders, including Orluis Aular, Jefferson Cepeda, Nelson Oliveira — and one-time GC hopeful Nairo Quintana. (Nairoman!)
Even amid these confirmations, though, rumors abound: Whispers have followed Jai Hindley (currently Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe) and Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla) — and most recently and intriguingly Richard Carapaz, whose contract with EF Education-Easy Post isn’t being renewed. The 2019 Giro champ — and 2025 Giro gadfly — would likely compete with Enric Mas for team leadership responsibilities.
Don’t look back, Richie!
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