Luxembourg file official complaint after controversial Schreiber relegation - Cyclocross European Championships saga set to continue
Cyclocross
The fallout from the 2026 Cyclocross European Championships elite women's race is set to continue as Marie Schreiber's nation have filed a complaint following their rider's sprint relegation that saw her denied a European Champion's jersey.
In a close-fought sprint duel with veteran Lucinda Brand, Schreiber appeared to take the biggest win of her career. However, after a lengthy jury review, she was relegated after appearing to deviate from her line in the rush to the line.
After the result, both Brand and the Netherlands confirmed that they did not protest the result and that commissaires made the decision on their own accord. Schreiber blasted the decision, labelling it 'disrespectful'.
Now, the Luxembourg cycling federation [FSCL] has filed an official complaint with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme [UEC] in which they call for the updated result to be overturned, and the initial finish positions reinstated.
“Following the women’s race at the European Cyclocross Championships, the FSCL officially filed a complaint with the UEC regarding the jury’s decision,” FSCL said in a statement released on Sunday.
Marie Schreiber appeared to take victory at the end of the elite women's race
Luxembourg Cycling Federation releases statement
“That is why the FSCL is calling for the race standings to be determined based on the order in which the riders crossed the finish line.”
The complaint follows widespread condemnation of the race jury's decision to relegate Schreiber. Speaking after the race, the 23-year-old appeared devastated in an interview with media.
"Both Lucinda and I have reviewed the footage, and even she admits that I did nothing wrong. That she could never have passed anyway. I am really thankful that she says that, but it doesn't change the outcome," Schreiber said after missing the podium ceremony following the decision.
Schreiber devastated by decision
Explaining the move to her left, Schreiber claimed that it was unintentional and did not impact the result, admitting that if it had come down to a closer margin, she would have understood.
"I did not close the door on purpose or anything. Lucinda knows it, she also says it. I think it's disrespectful to steal the biggest moment of my career.
"I think for being fair, everyone knows I won. If it would have been decided by two centimetres I can argue with them, I can understand. But like this, it's disrepectful.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- Thibau Nys does exactly what Iserbyt is calling for
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - i did not see it. was the relegation justified or an overly hard decision? and don‘t cross riders deviate from straight lines all the time? bumping into each others when they cut corners, etc … why being more strict with the rules on the finish sprint?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- seems like we are advertising the website with pointless comments…Ketterechts08-11-2026
- So?Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- The UCI do have their favorites.
Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- People see what they want to. I am actually the opposite of your accusation, probably more of a rebel than most of you who don’t get the big picture. The difference is, I don’t go moaning publicly about the consequences of my transgressions, I understand the need for rules and I take my OWN responsibility when deciding to ignore or break them or doing so involuntarily. I will also not hesitate to state my case or argue vehemently when relevant, sometimes it works, sometimes it makes things worse but that’s the price to pay for principles and having character.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- That may be but that was unknown to others and nothing says that’s the whole truth. Again, don’t try to misinterpret, it is a call and technically it is correct. Besides, even if there is a valid reason, that does not disqualify the ruling or punishment as far as the rules have been developed. I don’t think they’re as far as in football where for handball there is a distinction (in some ways and specific cases) between intentional or not. And football can be just as harsh and people live with it, eg the offside rule, also judged to within tiny fractions but often wrong or ignored. It’s the nature of every collective organisation and sometimes I wonder if our rebellion against it isn’t seated in the feelings we carry from the injustices we’ve felt personally, like being flashed driving 1km/h too fast when we are explained limits are just a security measure but we are absolutely certain not to have endangered anyone with our transgression. The problem is, nobody has better solutions and no 2 people have the same interpretation of where a limit should be.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- Because for you deviated implies the other rider MUST have been made to fall and fail to finish ??? I don’t know if you ride a bike but next time someone carves you up or drives dangerously close, just hold back from those feelings of changing something, reporting or filming or even complaining. Everyone will just say, hey you’re still here undamaged, doesn’t seem like anyone did anything.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- And we, what are we doing?Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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