Preview X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025 | Awaiting news on participants

The cyclo-cross circus keeps spinning, and it shows. After the busy Christmas period, some cyclo-cross- riders already suffer from pain and setbacks. The organization of the X2O Trophy in Koksijde also depends on this, as there is still a question mark behind the names of some potential participants. Nevertheless, IDLProCycling.com has a preview of the event!

The Duinencross in Koksijde is a classic on the calendar, which is reflected in the list of winners; only big names like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Sven Nys, Eli Iserbyt, and Niels Albert are on it. Last season, the victory went to Van der Poel, but the Dutch rider is struggling with rib pain leading up to the cyclo-cross this year. Among the women, Fem van Empel won after seasons in which Shirin van Anrooij, Annemarie Worst, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado were victorious.

Latest winners X2O Trophy Koksijde

2023/2024 Mathieu van der Poel / Fem van Empel
2022/2023 Wout van Aert / Shirin van Anrooij
2021/2022 Eli Iserbyt / Annemarie Worst
2020/2021 Canceled due to corona
2019/2020 Mathieu van der Poel / Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado
2018/2019 Mathieu van der Poel / Denise Betsema
2017/2018 Mathieu van der Poel / Maud Kaptheijns
2016/2017 Canceled due to storm
2015/2016 Sven Nys / Sanne Cant
2014/2015 Wout van Aert / Sanne Cant
2013/2014 Niels Albert / Katie Compton  

Course, weather and times X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025

Koksijde is known for its challenging course, where the sand of the West Flemish coast plays a decisive role. Only the strongest cyclists brave the famous Herygers and Albertduin and secure victory. The mix of technique, strength, and endurance makes this one of the most characteristic cyclo-cross races of the year, where many great battles have been recorded.

The course has not changed much compared to previous editions. Therefore, the participating riders will traditionally have to overcome the usual dune passages. The sand strips vary enormously because there are both uphill and downhill strips, and they all differ in depth. If you have to get off your bike regularly, you could face serious challenges.

Weather
We are on the coast, which means the wind can always be strong, although it does not seem too bad on Friday. There is some chance of precipitation at the end of the afternoon, though, with a temperature of about 4 degrees Celsius.

Times (Friday, January 3)
Women's start: 1:45 PM local time (7:45 AM EST)
Finish women: 2:35 PM local time (8:35 AM EST)
Men's start: 3:00 PM local time (9:00 AM EST)
Finish men: 4:00 PM local time (10:00 AM EST)

Favorites women X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025

The organization of the X2O Trophy at Koksijde has not yet released a list of participants, but Fem van Empel, Lucinda Brand, and Puck Pieterse seem to be present. This list will be completed as soon as we know more.

Top favorite: Fem van Empel (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Outsiders: Lucinda Brand (Baloise Glowi Lions) and Puck Pieterse (Fenix-Deceuninck)
Long shots: 

Favorites men X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025

There is also a lot of uncertainty about the participants in the men's race. The organization hasn't been able to release anything yet. After Lars van der Haar, Mathieu van der Poel, struggling with rib pain, and Michael Vanthourenhout, ill, are also uncertain about their participation. We will update this article as soon as we know more about the participants.

Top favorite:
Outsiders: 
Long shots:

TV broadcast X2O Trophy Koksijde 2025

VRT 1 and Eurosport (also HBO Max) will televise the ladies starting at 1:30 PM local time (7:45 AM EST) and continue directly afterward with the men's cyclo-cross, ending the broadcast between 4:15 and 4:30 PM local time. (10:15 - 10: 30 AM EST)

Read also

Iserbyt overcomes nerve pain, while Ronhaar struggles with back: : "I cried one hour on the bike"

No Van der Poel on New Year's Day: Sven Nys disappointed, team explains what's wrong

Nys disappointed after intense battle with Sweeck: "I get played with throughout the race and did not have the right answer in certain situation"

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