“There’s nothing else like it”: a 100-step staircase will be the biggest obstacle at the European Cyclocross Championships

The 2026 European Cyclocross Championship will take place on November 7 and 8 in Zeddam, Netherlands. The course, designed by former world champion Erwin Vervecken, features one of the most characteristic obstacles of this locality: a staircase of nearly 100 steps that has been completely rebuilt for the occasion.

This will be the spectacular circuit of the 2026 European Cyclocross Championship: nearly 3 km and a unique staircase

Twenty years after hosting the 2006 Cyclocross World Championship, Zeddam will once again bring together the best European specialists. And it will do so with a circuit that recovers much of that historic course, although adapted to the current demands of competition.

The designer is Erwin Vervecken, precisely the rider who was crowned world champion in Zeddam in 2006, when Marianne Vos also won her first world title there.

In an interview published by WielerFlits, Vervecken explains that his intention was to recover the identity of the old circuit, including an obstacle that could not be fully utilized during that World Championship.

A staircase of 100 steps, 50 meters long and 25 degrees of incline

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The main feature of the course will be a staircase located next to the Gildepad, which was previously used in World Cup events and national championships.

"The large staircase did not meet UCI standards," Vervecken recalls about the 2006 World Championship. Its width was insufficient, so a smaller version of the obstacle was used at that time.

For this European Championship, it has been completely rebuilt. The new staircase will have approximately 100 steps, 50 meters in length, and three meters in width, enough to allow overtaking. Its incline will be 25 degrees, compared to the 29 degrees of the previous structure.

"There is no staircase in cyclocross comparable to this one", Vervecken assures.

The obstacle will force riders to tackle a demanding uphill section on foot, with the bike on their shoulder, on each lap. Its effect on accumulated fatigue could make it one of the decisive points of the championship.

A circuit of 2.97 kilometers with a new 60-meter walkway

The course will be 2.97 kilometers per lap and will combine grassy areas, technical sectors, and several elevation changes.

Another novelty will be a 60-meter walkway located next to the historic Grafelijke Korenmolen. It will allow for the separation of the passage of riders and spectators, improving the flow of the public within the venue.

Vervecken has also taken advantage of a grassy area near the sand pit to add elevation to the layout.

The organization of the European Championship has confirmed that the new circuit maintains the essence of the 2006 World Championship but incorporates both sporting and safety modifications.

The races will be held on Saturday, November 7, when junior women, under-23 men, and elite women will compete, and on Sunday, November 8, reserved for junior men, under-23 women, and elite men. The two elite races will start at 15:00, Spanish time, according to the official program.

The European Championship will be one of the first major events of a 2026-2027 cyclocross season that will culminate with the World Championship in Ostend at the end of January.