Zeddam hosts 2026 European Cyclo-cross Championship: iconic stairs with more than 100 steps in course

The 2026 European cyclo-cross championship will be organized in Zeddam, Netherlands. The race in Gelderland will be very special thanks to the long stairs: more than a hundred steps must be tackled. In other words, it will be a championship for real runners.

In 2006, the cyclo-cross world championship was already organized in Zeddam. Then Marianne Vos became world champion in her own country. Among the men, Erwin Vervecken was the best. The Belgian will be part of the European Championship organization as a course builder. The iconic stairs will be rebuilt in 2026. So it will be made wider, to about three meters wide instead of the narrow passage of the previous one. That will make the staircase easier for a large peloton, but it will still be the absolute sharpest corner in the championship.

The KNWU reports the organization of the 2026 European Championship on its website. "It is fantastic that the European Cyclo-cross Championship will be organized in Zeddam," says Maurice Leeser, Director-Managing Director of the KNWU. "Cycling and cyclo-cross are deeply rooted in the DNA of Zeddam, the Achterhoek region, and the province of Gelderland. It is great to see how this area uses the power of sporting events to promote a healthy, active, and connected society. We look forward to a brilliant championship in the Achterhoek!"

Read more below the photo!

Marianne Vos became cyclo-cross world champion in Zeddam for the first time.

20 years after World Championship in Zeddam new milestone

Marije Eleveld, Councillor for Sport in the municipality of Montferland, is also enthusiastic about the arrival of the event. "The event represents a historic milestone: 20 years after the successful World Cyclo-cross Championship in 2006, we are once again privileged to be the setting for this top sporting event.' Golazo Events Netherlands, the organization behind the X2O cyclo-cross trophy, will organize the event. 'Every year, we organize prominent cyclo-cross events, mainly in Belgium. In organizing the European Cyclo-cross Championship in Zeddam, we will bring our extensive expertise to the Netherlands."

Read also

This is Van Aert's cyclo-cross calender: "I’m incredibly excited to get back into the field and look forward to reconnecting with the fans"

Visma | Lease a Bike casts doubt on Van Aert's comeback: "He's not ahead of schedule, let's put it that way"

Cyclo-cross rankings 2024/2025 | Brand and Vanthourenhout take lead after wins in Dublin

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe