Schedule 2024 European Cyclocross Championships Pontevedra | Almost everything crammed into busy Sunday

Monday, 28 October 2024 at 20:37

The European Cyclocross Championships are just around the corner. During the weekend of November 2 and 3, the best European cross riders will compete in Galicia's Pontevedra for the coveted European champion's jersey. IDLProCycling.com gives you an overview of the schedule!

Cyclocross riders will have to travel to northwest Spain for the European title battle, presenting a considerable logistical challenge for the support teams. Especially since the iconic Koppenbergcross is scheduled just days before. "During the cyclocross in Overijsselse (in the Netherlands, ed.), I’m already sending a bike ahead with a camper so that I can race the Koppenberg. After the Koppenberg, a van with equipment will head to Spain. I’ll fly to Portugal on Saturday and then drive to Spain," Van der Haar shared about his hectic route to the European Championships.

Last year, the European Championships were held in Pontchâteau, France. Michael Vanthourenhout successfully defended his European title there. Will he make it a hat trick this year? The Belgian is in good form, having won the Kermiscross in Ardooie in the Netherlands and having made the podium three additional times. In the women’s race, Fem van Empel could also go for three consecutive wins. Since she’s also the world champion, another win would mean the European jersey remains invisible in the women’s field for another year.

Last winners and victors European Cyclocross Championships

	Men's elite	Women's elite	Men's U23	Women's U23	Men juniors	Women juniors
2023	Michael Vanthourenhout	Fem van Empel	Jente Michels	Zoe Bäckstedt	Aubin Sparfel	Célia Gery
2022	Michael Vanthourenhout	Fem van Empel	Emiel Verstrynge	Puck Pieterse	Leo Bisiaux	Lauren Molengraaf
2021	Lars van der Haar	Lucinda Brand	Ryan Kamp	Shirin van Anrooij	Aaron Dockx	Zoe Bäckstedt
2020	Eli Iserbyt	Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado	Ryan Kamp	Puck Pieterse	❌	❌
2019	Mathieu van der Poel	Yara Kastelijn	Mickaël Crispin	Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado	Thibau Nys	Puck Pieterse
2018	Mathieu van der Poel	Annemarie Sausage	Tom Pidcock	Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado	Pim Ronhaar	❌
2017	Mathieu van der Poel	Sanne Cant	Eli Iserbyt	Chiara Teocchi	Loris Rouiller	❌

Course 2024 European Cyclocross Championships

According to the organizer’s website, the circuit is 3,350 meters long, with an emphasis on "hardness and spectacularity". Despite the focus on speed, the course has its fair share of obstacles. "Three bridges will be built at different heights, a sand bank next to the river Lérez, which will be one of the most spectacular areas with the city of Pontevedra in the background," said Alberto del Rio, the European Championships’ technical director. Besides these obstacles, there will also be barriers near the equipment zone.

The key feature is a bridge, after which the finish is not far. The bridge has been extended by a section of over 20% and will "demand the maximum from the cyclists just before the finish." The course also includes many unpaved sections, which could turn into challenging mud tracks if it rains. Finally, Alberto del Rio expects the circuit to be wet and soft during the championship. The Dutch national coach also commented on the course, calling it "an atypical cyclocross course in a city park with not too many technical sections."

Participants 2024 European Cyclocross Championships

Top nations Belgium and the Netherlands are both sending strong teams to Pontevedra. Belgium has the strongest lineup among the men, with reigning champion Vanthourenhout, Eli Iserbyt, Laurens Sweeck and Thibau Nys all competing. However, expectations for Nys are low, as his preparation was disrupted by illness.

For the Netherlands, Lars van der Haar is the top contender for gold among the men. The Dutch champion already won the opening cyclocross race in Beringen this season and impressively triumphed in the Night of Woerden. Among the women, the Netherlands could potentially claim the entire podium, with Van Empel, Lucinda Brand and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in the lineup.

When the full start list is available, we will add it to the article.