The “Duinencross” in Koksijde, taking place on December 21, is one of the toughest races in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup 2025/2026. Just one day after the competition in Antwerp, the pro riders will compete again on the last weekend before Christmas. Although sand is the ‘dominant’ surface in both races, they differ greatly in their characteristics. Cyclocross expert and ex-professional Jens Schwedler explains what makes this race in Koksijde, which returns to the World Cup in 2025, so unique.
The course of the Cyclocross World Cup Koksijde 2025
Koksijde is the sand race of the cyclocross season. It’s not without reason that professional female rider Puck Pieterse in her recon video speaks of a “Big Sand Party” taking place on the Belgian North Sea coast. The course runs through the dune area directly behind the North Sea coast and borders the grounds of an air force base.
Characteristic of the course are two very long, deep sand sections – so-called sand stroops – as well as other, mostly sandy dunes that are ridden up and down. Shorter meadow and asphalt sections as well as artificial bridges complete the course.
“We will experience a completely different race than in Antwerp. In Koksijde, it is extremely important to surf through the sand. This is a skill that not every professional masters equally,” explains Jens Schwedler. “The sand is – compared to the Scheldecross – much deeper, which is why the choice of lines is crucial. In addition, the ground under the sand is wavy. This also needs to be compensated for,” the cyclocross expert continues.
“This way of riding requires not only incredible physical fitness, but also the highest concentration,” says Schwedler. “The professionals have to find a new, fast line in every lap, because often the actual ideal line is destroyed by those behind.”
But the sandy surface is not the only challenge of this course. “The sections that do not run over sand or asphalt are often softened and loamy. This loam ‘bakes’ or makes the tires stick to the ground like Pattex,” Schwedler knows. “Since a tire pressure of less than 1 bar, often only 0.8 bar, is often used in this deep sand, the contact surface is correspondingly larger. That really costs energy on the sticky surface,” Schwedler continues.
Speaking of energy. These are also “thrown away” during the many running sections in Koksijde. The first of these right at the beginning of each lap. “After the start-finish area, there is a 30-meter-long climb on sand that has to be run up. In addition, almost every longer sand section is followed by a running passage,” explains Schwedler. “Here, the transitions have to fit in the truest sense of the word, otherwise a rider will lose too much time,” Schwedler continues. Because anyone who loses a few seconds every time they jump up and then start will inevitably fall behind.
By the way. The only longer section on asphalt to recover a little or to motorically crank the legs free with a higher cadence is located in the start and finish area.
Favorites check for the Cyclocross World Cup Koksijde 2025
Mathieu van der Poel on the way to his 8th Koksijde victory in a row?
“In Koksijde, we will see much faster larger gaps in the race than in Antwerp. The course is so selective that the entire field is pulled apart after just a few laps,” says Schwedler. For him, Mathieu van der Poel is the undisputed rider here. “I see Mathieu far ahead.” The reigning world champion last won the Duinencross at the beginning of 2024, celebrating his seventh victory in Koksijde. “Mathieu also benefits from the running sections. Just like Wout van Aert, who is not competing here,” says Schwedler. Behind van der Poel, he sees Thibau Nys and Laurens Sweeck. “Sweeck masters surfing in the sand just as well, if not a little better than Mathieu. But he doesn’t have as big an engine as Mathieu or Thibau Nys,” Schwedler continues. The multiple German champion in cyclocross also gives the very good technician Michael Vantourenhout chances of a podium finish.
Who can stand up with Lucinda Brand?
For the women, the victory goes to Lucinda Brand, but it shouldn’t be quite as easy for her anymore. “She can of course use her wealth of experience, but Puck Pieterse, who won here at the beginning of the year, Inge van der Heijden and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado also manage surfing in the sand very well,” explains Schwedler. It will also be interesting to see to what extent Aniek van Alphen and Sara Casasola can keep up here due to their strong physique.
TV tip: Cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde 2025 live on Discovery Plus
The streaming service Discovery Plus will broadcast the races in Koksijde live on December 21. The women’s race will be broadcast from 1:30 PM. This will be followed by the men’s race from 3:00 PM.
Video: Mathieu van der Poel wins the X2O Trophy Koksijde in Koksijde in 2024
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
