“This one is maybe the easiest to win” – Michael Vanthourenhout confident ahead of the cyclocross European Championships

The Cyclo-cross European Championships are taking place this weekend in Middelkerke, Belgium. After Inge van der Heijden became the new female European champion on Saturday, it will be the turn for men on Sunday.

The biggest dominator of the last decade, Mathieu van der Poel, will not be at the start line, as he is planning to return to the mud in December. His absence might make the outcome much less predictable, although there are some main favorites to become the new European kings.

Thibau Nys won it in 2024 and he will be trying to defend his crown this year once again. However, he will have to face very tough opponents, one of them being Laurens Sweeck.

The Belgian rider is widely recognized as one of cyclocross’s preeminent sand specialists, which should favor him given that there is a hard sand section throughout the route of the Europeans 2025. However, that might not be enough to help him, as he openly admits that he is not arriving in peak form.

“If only I’d been hiding my form. That would have been nice,” Sweeck said in comments gathered by Sporza. Linking back to his autumn campaign, he explained, “My season didn’t start the way I’d hoped. I was good in Meulebeke, but after that things went downhill.”

Despite recent struggles, Sweeck finds solace in the course itself. “There will be sand on Sunday, so hopefully I can do my thing and ride as much of it as possible,” he said, showing cautious optimism ahead of the continental title fight. On the significance of a European title, he admitted, “It would mean a lot,” before acknowledging his absence of major international titles: “I haven’t won any international championships yet. But maybe this jersey could be the first,” he joked.

Sweeck's lack of shape means Michael Vanthourenhout is the man to beat. The two-time European champion (2022 and 2023) argued that, comparing to the previous two titles he holds, “this one is maybe the easiest to win.”

To avoid being accused of arrogance, he elaborated why he thinks so: “Winning any championship is never easy, but this is one without Mathieu van der Poel on the start line.”

Vanthourenhout also recognized the critical importance of a fast start in Middelkerke. “Three years ago at Nationals, I had a terrible start here. I never saw the front of the race again. That’s why I need to get out of the blocks well. After 40 minutes, the strongest will come forward, and hopefully I will be among them.”

Although himself a West Fleming, Vanthourenhout is candid about his own comfort in the sand. “It suits me a little less, but this won’t be a pure sand race, so that might play to my advantage.” Drawing on the motivation of last season’s disappointment (he finished in tenth), he added, “Last year it didn’t work out, but that just gives extra motivation.”