The 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships kick off in Ostend in just 100 days
Just 100 days to go before Ostend once again welcomes the world’s top cyclo-cross riders. Today, on the seafront promenade in Ostend, in the presence of Flemish Minister for Sport Annick De Ridder and Ostend Alderman for Tourism Niko Geldhof, a countdown clock was started that will mark the final 100 days until the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. At the same time, the organisers announced that the Belgian Championships cyclo-cross for athletes with intellectual impairment and autism will take place on Friday 29 January, following the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay.
The official launch marking the final 100 days, took place at the Thermae Palace Hotel, which is situated right in the middle of the World Championships course. From 29 to 31 January 2027, Ostend will be hosting the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Six years after the 2021 edition, the World Championships are returning to the City by the Sea. What is more, it will be 11 years since the battles for the rainbow jerseys last took place in Belgium in front of a live crowd, so the aim this time is to turn this into a huge public celebration.
According to Flemish Minister for Sport Annick De Ridder, the countdown has begun.
“The countdown has begun. The UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are not just another date on the calendar, but a major highlight for sport and a celebration of our sporting heritage and cycling DNA. Thanks to the commitment and dedication of our athletes, G-sport athletes, the organising team, volunteers, the City of Ostend and all our other partners, we will make this a top-class event together. We look forward to welcoming cycling fans from Belgium and abroad to Ostend!”
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships to Ostend in just 100 days,” says Ostend Mayor John Crombez. “Cyclo-cross is a sport with deep roots in Belgium and enjoys enormous popularity in our country, bringing the sport close to the people. This makes these Championships even more special. Soon, we will see the world’s very best riders battle it out for the world title in our city, on a unique course that connects the sea, the beach, the city and its heritage. These World Championships will be a sporting highlight for our residents, while also welcoming thousands of visitors and giving a strong boost to Ostend as a dynamic sporting destination and welcoming seaside city.”
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are not just another date on the calendar, but a major highlight for sport and a celebration of our sporting heritage and cycling DNA.
UCI World Championships course
The countdown clock can currently be found near the famous Drie Gapers, which connects the Royal Villa to the Royal Galleries. That is also close to Park Royal, the site of the former swimming pool, which, together with the beach and the ACEG Wellington Hippodrome, provides the setting for the World Championships course. The circuit is approximately 3.4 kilometres in length and, unlike the 2021 edition, features two bridges over the tram lines. These provide a convenient link between the ACEG Wellington Hippodrome and the beach.
Two sand hills will be constructed on the beach. Ebema, partner of the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, will be installing a paved section, using Eurodal cycle path slabs, on the approach to one of those hills. This will allow riders to build up speed as they head towards the purpose-built sand hill. The route from the beach to the finish zone at the ACEG Wellington Hippodrome features a long flight of steps, just before the finish line. Ebema is also installing a paved section in the finish zone. This will bring the finish line closer to the existing grandstand, enhancing the experience for the fans.
UCI President David Lappartient is also looking forward to the return of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships to Ostend. “We are delighted to be returning to Ostend next January for our annual cyclo-cross showcase. This seaside resort provided an exceptional setting for the 2021 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, despite the absence of the Junior races and spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The atmosphere will be very different in 2027, with a full sporting programme and tens of thousands of spectators lining the course. One hundred days is not much time when it comes to organising an international event of this scale, but experience has taught us that Flanders Classics and Toerisme Oostende vzw have everything perfectly under control. The countdown is on, and we can’t wait!”
This seaside resort provided an exceptional setting for the 2021 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, despite the absence of the Junior races and spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The atmosphere will be very different in 2027, with a full sporting programme and tens of thousands of spectators lining the course.
Belgian Championships cyclo-cross G-sport
With the return of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships to Ostend, the ‘City by the Sea’ once again has the opportunity to welcome thousands of fans. The organisers therefore want to make the 2027 edition more than just a sporting event. “Creating a memorable experience is always one of our top priorities”, confirmed Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of event organiser Flanders Classics. “We are currently working on plans for two fan zones, but the UCI World Championships call for something extra. That is why these zones will be offering something more than just the usual traditional party tents. We will be creating a festival atmosphere where everyone feels at home - from cyclo-cross fans to families. We are looking into providing additional entertainment along the course and we also want to showcase Ostend’s culinary delights. In fact, the UCI World Championships experience will begin for the fans as soon as they arrive at the station. Anyone coming by train, walks along the seafront promenade, straight through the team zone, and onto the UCI World Championships site.”
On Friday 29 January, there is just one event on the programme for which a rainbow jersey is at stake: the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay. This gives the organisation the opportunity to include a G-sport event in the programme for the first official day of competition. Following the Team Relay, the Belgian Championships cyclo-cross for athletes with intellectual impairment or autism will be held on the ACEG Wellington Hippodrome site.
“G-sport athletes also want to perform in a professional setting, and that is exactly what they will find here. The organisation and the atmosphere around the course will add extra prestige to the Belgian Championships. The fact that the UCI, Belgian Cycling and Flanders Classics were immediately open to hosting the Belgian Championships in this setting shows that G-sport has a place at major mainstream sporting events.”, says Steven Van Beylen, Director of G-sport Vlaanderen.
According to Tom Van Damme, President of Belgian Cycling, hosting the Belgian G-Cyclo-cross Championships in Ostend is also a real added value. “Hosting the Belgian Championships cyclo-cross G-sport in Ostend on Friday is a real added value. It will undoubtedly be a unique experience for the participants to compete in their Belgian Championships in the setting of the UCI World Championships. Bringing these two events together is an example of how sport can be inclusive. This is something Belgian Cycling welcomes and is keen to support. The UCI World Championships in Ostend are now getting closer. I am convinced that these three days will be packed with excitement, with an extensive programme of activities alongside the sporting events, including a strong focus on youth involvement. After the 2021 World Championships had to take place without spectators due to COVID-19, I am certain that the enthusiasm of the Belgian public will be greater than ever.”
Hosting the Belgian Championships cyclo-cross G-sport in Ostend on Friday is a real added value. It will undoubtedly be a unique experience for the participants to compete in their Belgian Championships in the setting of the UCI World Championships. Bringing these two events together is an example of how sport can be inclusive.
Students design trophy for the World Championships
Schools in Ostend will also be involved at the championships. Through a series of challenges, pupils themselves will have the opportunity to play an active part in the UCI World Championships. On Friday 29 January, a Schools World Championship will be held on part of the course. Furthermore, schools can also take part in a design competition in which they submit a design for a trophy. The winning design is then brought to life in the workshop. The winning school will then have the honour of presenting the trophy to the winning team during the official UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay podium ceremony on Friday 29 January.
Discover the full programme and secure your tickets for the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships!