Take part in the school challenge!

As the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Ostend approach, we are pulling out all the stops to get children excited about the event. That’s why we are challenging primary schools with five fun challenges! Get the students at your school involved, take on the challenges together and stand a chance of winning fantastic prizes!

Challenge 1: Strappen

Friday 18 September is Strapdag! The challenge is simple: which primary school in West Flanders can achieve the highest percentage of students and teachers walking or cycling to school on Strapdag? Submit your school’s percentage via the button below by Friday 25 September and stand a chance of winning a great prize!

  • When? Friday 18 September, results to be submitted by Friday 25 September.
  • Who can take part? All primary schools in West Flanders.
  • What can you win? More information coming soon.
Submit your result

Challenge 2: Drone Footage

We are challenging all primary schools in Ostend to transform their school playground into a giant work of art. A striking image, a moving drawing, a colourful canvas… you decide how you want to steal the show! A drone will fly over the playground to capture aerial footage of your creation. The winner will be selected based on these images. Schools that create their artwork around the theme of the cyclo-cross World Championships can score bonus points!

  • When? More information coming soon.
  • Registration? The school management of every school wishing to take part must register before Friday 25 September via the button below.
  • Who can take part? All primary schools in Ostend (subject to approval for the drone flight).
  • What can you win? A visit from Garrie & Gusta, the official mascots of the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.
We're taking part!

Challenge 3: World Championships Trophy

All primary schools in West Flanders have the chance to design their own World Championships trophy. Let your imagination run wild and come up with an original trophy that perfectly matches the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The winning design will actually be produced and presented by a representative of the winning school to the winners of the Team Relay on the World Championships podium on Friday 29 January!

  • Deadline? More information coming soon.
  • Who can take part? All primary schools in West Flanders.
  • What can you win? More information coming soon.

Challenge 4: Schools World Championship

Every Ostend school that takes part in two of the first three challenges will have the chance to select two students (one boy and one girl) to take part in a real ‘Schools World Championship’! Both the boys and girls will compete in a race on the first day of the World Championships, on the (shortened) championships course at the ACEG Wellington Hippodrome! A podium ceremony and live commentary from a speaker will complete this unique experience.

  • When? Friday 29 January.
  • Who can take part? All primary schools in Ostend that have also taken part in two of the first three challenges.
  • What can you win? More information coming soon.

Challenge 5: Supporting

On Friday 29 January, it won’t just be the sporting winners who get to take home a prize. The school that provides the best support during the ‘Schools World Championship’ and the official Team Relay will win this fifth and final challenge. Bring your most original banners, signs, flags, songs, horns, ... and who knows, your school might come out on top!

  • When? Friday 29 January.
  • Who can take part? All primary schools in Ostend.
  • What can you win? More information coming soon.

FRIDAY 29 JANUARY PROGRAMME (CHALLENGES 4 & 5)

  • 10:00 | Arrival
  • 11:05 | Boys’ schools race
  • 11:25 | Girls’ schools race
  • 11:45 | Schools race podium ceremony
  • 12:00 | Lunch
  • 12:35 | UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay
  • 14:10 | Kids’ party
  • 15:00 | End

(programme subject to change)