Belgian dark horse dreaming of European Championship glory in Middelkerke: "Running doesn’t scare me and it’s about time I delivered"

Joran Wyseure has set his sights on a breakthrough performance at this weekend’s Cyclocross European Championships in Middelkerke, confident that the course, conditions, and timing all play to his strengths.

Five weeks on from his victory at the Berencross in Meulebeke, the 24-year-old Crelan-Corendon rider believes he has rediscovered the form to challenge Europe’s elite. “I’m really looking forward to it,” Wyseure told Het Nieuwsblad. “Of the three championships this season, this one suits me best.”

Wyseure knows the Middelkerke terrain well. It was there that he finished third at the 2022 Belgian U23 Championships — a race won by teammate Emiel Verstrynge ahead of Jente Michels. Both will again be part of a stacked home selection this Sunday, alongside sand specialist Laurens Sweeck.

“I don’t really see one clear favourite,” Wyseure said. “The Belgians are all pretty evenly matched. It’s hard to make predictions; there are probably ten riders capable of being on the podium. The main rival will likely be Joris Nieuwenhuis, especially if he has another day like in Lokeren.”

The Belgian expects the Middelkerke layout — which mixes sandy stretches with asphalt sections — to deliver a tight, tactical race. Crucially, he’s also comfortable with one of the course’s defining features.

“The toughest part is the transition from the beach to the dunes where you have to get off the bike, but running doesn’t scare me at all,” he said. “It helps that it’ll be a bit cooler on Sunday too. After disappointing rides at the Europeans in Pontchateau and Pontevedra, it’s about time I delivered. There’s always extra tension at a championship, but I can handle that. In Fayetteville, I already proved I can rise to the occasion when it really matters. It should really work out again this time.”

Wyseure admits he’s been steadily gearing his form towards this weekend’s race. Since his early-season win in Meulebeke, he’s maintained consistency across the Superprestige and X2O series, with top-five finishes in Ruddervoorde and Overijse keeping him ranked inside the world’s top ten.

“Like everyone, I’ve been quietly building towards the European Championships,” he said. “It’s one of those races that really matters. Last weekend went a bit less well — those courses just don’t suit me — but Middelkerke is different. It suits me better than the Belgian Championships in Beringen or the World Championships in Hulst.”

With Belgian strength in depth and form trending upwards, Wyseure will start in Middelkerke as an outside contender — but one with genuine belief that his moment on the big stage is coming.