Battle for the cyclo-cross rainbow jersey of UCI World Champion in 2027 at the Wellington Hippodrome and Ostend beach
On the eve of the UCI World Championships weekend in Hulst, the course for the 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Ostend, Belgium has been revealed. Just like they did in 2021, the Wellington Hippodrome and the beach are playing a starring role, although the course is structured differently from the one in that COVID-19 edition. Back then, due to circumstances, it was an event without spectators, but now, 6 years later, it is set to become one big cyclo-cross party.
The 2027 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships will take place from 29 to 31 January 2027. Six years after the UCI World Championships were organised in the city during the pandemic, the battle for the rainbow jersey is coming back to Ostend. Toerisme Oostende vzw, the Ostend Tourist Office, has awarded the contract for organising the 2027 edition to Flanders Classics, which, as owner of the Telenet Superprestige and licensee of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, is responsible for 20 races on the current cyclo-cross calendar.
“We’re greatly looking forward to welcoming the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships to Ostend in 2027,” says Mayor of Ostend John Crombez. “Cyclo-cross is a sport that is deeply rooted in Belgium and enjoys enormous popularity in our country, it is very close to the people. That makes these championships extra special. Soon we will see the world’s absolute finest competing for the world title in our city, on a unique course that connects sea, beach, city and 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 and host city by the sea.”
UCI President David Lappartient said: “I am delighted that the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships will return to Ostend in 2027. The city was a fantastic host in 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant there was no public and no Junior races. While fans could not go to watch in person, images of the racing in the spectacular setting of the North Sea beach went around the world! Next year, the atmosphere will be very different, with huge crowds present to cheer the riders on. Thanks to the proven expertise of Flanders Classics and the continued commitment and warm welcome of the City of Ostend and the Ostend Tourist Office, we can be sure of a magnificent event in this beautiful city twelve months from now.
For Flanders Classics, the event is already certain to be a milestone. “It is the first time we are organising a UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships,” confirms Tomas Van Den Spiegel, CEO of Flanders Classics, “but it’s not our baptism of fire for a European or a UCI World Championship. After the 2021 UCI Road World Championships and the 2024 UEC Road European Championships and thanks to our close collaboration with the Union Cycliste Internationale during the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup we believe we have the right experience in-house. And last winter, we were once again able to experience from the front row just how much Flanders loves cyclo‑cross. The result is that we are now committing ourselves to ensuring a fantastic cyclo-cross festival in January 2027. Experience is one of the absolute core values in our organisation, and in Ostend we have more than enough space to welcome thousands of cyclo-cross fans.”
This is the reason why the event is coming back to Ostend, because with no spectators at the 2021 edition, it has been 11 whole years since a UCI World Championship with fans attending could be held in Flanders. “We’re looking forward very much to the UCI World Championships in Ostend next year," says Tom Van Damme, chairman of Belgian Cycling. "In 2021, the UCI World Championships had to take place without spectators because of COVID. At Belgian Cycling, we appreciated all the efforts made at the time during a very difficult period and in challenging circumstances. We immediately wanted to offer all our support to put a new, fully-fledged edition on the calendar. Now everyone can go for the total experience in Ostend.”
“Our aim is to bring the UCI World Championships to Belgium every four to five years," Van Damme continues. "We’re convinced that the UCI World Championships in Ostend will once again be a great promotion for cyclo-cross in our country and will bring new candidacies. As for the sporting aspect, an education and training programme for youth will also be set up by Belgian Cycling to strive for the best possible results through the greatest possible effort.”
Experience is one of the absolute core values in our organisation, and in Ostend we have more than enough space to welcome thousands of cyclo-cross fans
The course: Wellington Hippodrome and beach
The battle for the rainbow jersey will mainly take place on the grounds of the Wellington Hippodrome and the beach near the Thermae Palace. Unlike the 2021 circuit, the old swimming pool site is now also getting a place in the circuit before the riders cross back to the Wellington Hippodrome and the finish line.
The start/finish area is located on the site of the Wellington Hippodrome. There, a first technical zone with passage at the pit awaits the riders before crossing the Koningin Astridlaan towards the beach.
Chris Mannaerts, Head of Cyclo-cross at Flanders Classics and builder of the course in Ostend: “We are opting for two bridges over the tram lines next year. One of those bridges will start from the Wellington Hippodrome, by the esplanade, so that the riders can cross to the beach. This means we won’t have to bridge such a big height difference as was the case in 2021. The second bridge, which provides access back from the beach to the finish, will include a long flight of stairs and will be installed just before the finish.”
Once on the beach, the riders will once again seek out the high-water line and face some tough stretches of sand, which is sure to bring back some familiar images from the past. Unlike in 2021, there will also be a long passage beside the renovated Royal Galleries. In this way, the iconic structures of the Ostend coast will also enjoy extra attention. “Another innovation is the former site of the saltwater swimming pool, which has been demolished in the meantime,” Mannaerts adds. “We have been given permission to use it to open up the course even more and create additional experience zones as a result. What’s more, by doing so we will be able to feature the famous Drie Gapers. In this way, the course will reflect the spirit of Ostend even more.”
Once the riders cross back to the Wellington Hippodrome via the stairs and the second bridge, the finish is not far off. The finish is also different from how it was in 2021. “With a temporary concrete stretch at the finish, we will bring the finish closer to the grandstand, further enhancing the fan experience,” Mannaerts concludes.
