"A good asset": David Lappartient pushes for cyclo-cross at Winter Olympics as climate change forces rethink
Cyclocross
As the sporting world turns its eyes to Milan and the Italian mountains for the ongoing 2026 Winter Games, a familiar debate has resurfaced in the background. For years, rumors of adding cyclocross to the Olympic program have circulated without result, but now, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) forced to adapt to a warming planet, UCI President David Lappartient sees a golden opening.
The discussion has moved beyond simple speculation. The IOC recently launched a working group titled Fit for the Future, tasked with reviewing the sports program and scheduling of the Games. A primary driver for this review is climate change, as fewer regions can guarantee snow and cold temperatures in late February.
Bringing the stars to the snow
Karl Stoss, the head of the IOC Olympic Programme working group, confirmed to Reuters that the committee is actively looking at non-traditional winter sports to ensure the long-term viability of the event.
"We are reviewing the size of the Games, the mix of sports, options for new additions. We also look at potential crossover between summer and winter sports," Stoss stated.
This potential crossover is exactly where the UCI hopes to capitalize. While some traditional winter sports federations have expressed caution, fearing that the inclusion of summer disciplines could dilute the unique identity of the Winter Games, Lappartient is firmly in favor of the move.
For the UCI President, the inclusion of cyclo-cross is not just about filling a gap left by melting snow, but about modernizing the Winter Olympics and increasing their global appeal. "I truly believe that also with a climate change, to have some winter disciplines like cyclocross within the Games could be a good asset," he said.
He emphasized that the discipline brings a level of star power and universality that could boost viewership. Cyclo-cross is currently experiencing a boom in popularity, driven by multi-discipline superstars who race on both road and mud. "So we can potentially extend to address also climate change to maybe bring more universality, to bring also stars," Lappartient added.
The road to 2030
The timeline for this potential addition is becoming clearer. The 2030 Winter Games are scheduled to take place in the French Alps, a home setting for Lappartient that could provide the perfect backdrop for cyclo-cross to appear as a demonstration discipline.
If successful as a demonstration event, the sport could aim for official medal status in subsequent editions, such as the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City or the 2038 edition, for which Switzerland is currently seen as a leading candidate.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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- A great route aswell. Col D'Arcy is a toughie
Rafionain-Glas03-11-2026 - Let Torito have a shot at itRafionain-Glas03-11-2026
- A great route, much more exciting than the Tour de France. Monte Livata is an interesting one, because they experimented with it at the 2026 Baby Giro, and it was fantastic. 4 km at 10%, then 10 km at 6.5% made for a great spectacle. The stage 16 is horribleRafionain-Glas03-11-2026
- I remember when Mark went through that. He was really experiencing lows and thought about quiting many times. It took him a long time to recover. I, like many others were overjoyed when he came back. I hope Lafay has been tested. I wish him the best.Paggss03-11-2026
- That sucks for him. I've always wondered what guys like him do after retiring from cycling - go back to uni? He's still a very young manCrashjames03-11-2026
- Good Point, I wonder if he's been testedmhfrvz03-11-2026
- A busy boy!Lozza03-11-2026
- I hope 2027 is his year.mij03-11-2026
- why does he have to? many GT riders from Froome to Contador to Indurain didn't do them.mij03-11-2026
- I think Jonas would have lost the TDF by 4+ minutes (at the least) and might not have even been in the top 3. Too much talent in the younger riders to say anyone not named Pogačar would have been top 3md197503-11-2026
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