The seventh of a total of twelve races in the Cyclocross World Cup will take place on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025. The venue is the traditional course in Gavere, Belgium – around Kasteel Grenier on a former military area.
Will Mathieu van der Poel celebrate his fourth World Cup victory in a row here – in the absence of Wout van Aert? And is there a threat of a changing of the guard among the women, and will serial winner Lucinda Brand no longer be at the very top of the podium in the end? Cyclocross expert and ex-pro Jens Schwedler answers these questions in his race preview on Alpecin Cycling.
The course of the Cyclocross World Cup in Gavere
The course in Gavere is one of the most difficult in the cyclocross calendar. The race is held on the slopes above the Scheldt River, around the grounds of Kastell Grenier, which is located on a plateau near the start and finish passage.
The course is generally undulating and has some hills and waves on a former military site. In Gavere, longer, energy-sapping climbs alternate with spectacular descents that require maximum technical precision.
Rain can quickly turn the course into a battlefield. Then tracks turn into deep ruts and green meadows become muddy areas. And the formerly passable climbs become walking passages.
In Gavere, longer, energy-sapping climbs are followed by spectacular descents that require maximum technical precision.
If it has rained in the days before, the course will turn into a true battlefield. Then the professionals engage in a classic mud fight on loamy, energy-sapping and sometimes deep ground. Ruts turn into deep grooves and green meadows become muddy areas. And the formerly passable climbs become walking passages.
The constant up and down as well as the sometimes slippery descents and off-camber sections demand explosiveness, very good riding technique and a good choice of lines on the slippery surface. Only riders who can adapt to this change of rhythm physically and mentally will have a chance to be at the front in the end.
“In Gavere, the long climb is the key point of the course for me. In mud and rain it has to be walked, but even when it is dry it remains extremely difficult and highly selective,” explains Jens Schwedler, describing the special feature of the course in Belgium, which is one of the most difficult in the World Cup calendar. “Overall, I expect a race in Gavere that will be clearly decided by efficiency, rhythm and the climb.”
Favorites for the Cyclocross World Cup in Gavere 2025
Duel between Shirin van Anrooij and Lucinda Bramd
“I am currently seeing a very exciting development among the women. Shirin van Anrooij is improving significantly from race to race and is getting closer and closer to her teammate Lucinda Brand in terms of performance,” says Schwedler. For the cyclocross expert, Brand remains the benchmark in terms of consistency, race overview and control. “Shirin van Anrooij has recently appeared more aggressive, dynamic and present in the race,” Schwedler continues.
He sees chances of a podium finish in Gavere for Aniek van Alphen and European Champion Inge van der Heijden. “Both are very light, ride efficiently and technically cleanly. If the long climb remains rideable, they can exploit their strengths there. The current weather forecasts speak for themselves: it should be cold but dry at around 5 to 8 degrees. For me, this clearly points to fast, hard races and less to a classic mud fight – conditions that favor this type of rider.”
Mathieu van der Poel on the way to his fourth World Cup victory this season
The same applies to the men. “Here, riders who are light, explosive and technically extremely efficient have an advantage. That’s exactly why this track fits perfectly to Mathieu van der Poel from my point of view, who is not quite as light, but has all the other qualities. The same applies to Michael Vanthourenhout, if he recovers from his cold,” says Schwedler.
“In addition, I see a whole range of riders who have realistic chances of a podium or close to the podium. These include Thibau Nys, Laurens Sweeck, Lars van der Haar, Pim Ronhaar and Emiel Verstrynge,” Schwedler continues.
Schwedler has one rider in particular in his sights, as he rides for the Hamburg-based bicycle brand Stevens, for which Schwedler also works: Cameron Mason. “In Koksijde, Cameron moved extremely strongly to the front in the last two laps, while others visibly collapsed. For me, this shows a very good aerobic base, high racing toughness and mental stability. If he positions himself well early on, I think he can play a really strong role in Gavere – even in the top 5 in the long term.”
Video: Mathieu van der Poel wins the World Cup race in Gavere in 2024
TV tip: Cyclocross World Cup in Gavere 2025 live on Discovery Plus
The streaming service Discovery Plus will broadcast the races in Gavere live on December 26. The women’s race will be broadcast from 1:30 PM. Following that, the men’s race will be broadcast from 3:00 PM.
Our Cyclocross Expert: Jens Schwedler
Jens Schwedler is a former German cyclocross and mountain bike professional. In cyclocross, he was a multiple German champion (including 2002 and 2005). In mountain biking, he achieved international top results, including 14th place at the 1996 World Championships.
Today, the 57-year-old from Hamburg is active in cyclocross as a trainer and sporting director and has dedicated himself specifically to promoting children and young people. He also rides masters races when time permits. Extremely successful, as his World Championship titles there prove.
He has a special connection to Mathieu van der Poel. On the one hand, his father Adrie was Schwedler’s competitor in the cyclocross races. On the other hand, Jens accompanied Mathieu’s career from the beginning, as the Dutchman was on the Stevens bike brand, Schwedler’s employer, for a long time.
Photo: IMAGO / Photo News
Photos: Fellusch
