La Planche is etched into cycling history. It’s the place
where
Tadej Pogacar stunned Primoz Roglic on the final time trial of the 2020
Tour de France. In 2022, the 'Super' version of the climb pushed even higher,
adding gravel to the punishment, and once again Pogacar was the first man on
top. But no one could have imagined it hosting Olympic cyclocross.
Now, that vision is gaining momentum. The bid has drawn
backing from major figures, including UCI President David Lappartient and
former French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, who sits on the 2030 Winter Games
organising committee. Barnier recently attended the 2025 Cyclocross World
Championships in Liévin and was won over by the atmosphere. “I was very
impressed by the popular success of cyclocross,” he said.
It’s easy to see why the French are keen. As event
co-ordinator Jean-Pierre Lefèvre puts it, “We are located just a four-hour
drive from Belgium and the Netherlands, where cyclocross culture is robust. We
know how to make it work; it will be a grand celebration.”
If successful, this could open the Olympic door to a
generation of stars, and maybe even a familiar face.
Mathieu van der Poel won a
record equalling seventh cyclocross world title earlier this year. By 2030,
he’ll be 35. Whether he’s still racing or not, the chance to chase Olympic gold
in cyclocross would complete the set for a rider who’s already competed in
Olympic road and mountain bike disciplines.