Thibau Nys attacks on the iconic staircase to win the 2026 European Cyclocross Championships

Thibau Nys has been crowned the 2026 European cyclocross champion after winning an exciting race in Zeddam (Netherlands). The Belgian launched his decisive attack on the spectacular 99-step staircase during the final lap and managed to distance himself from Joran Wyseure, who finished second. Niels Vandeputte completed an entirely Belgian podium.

Nys found the perfect place to decide the European Championship at the Zeddam staircase

The 2026 European Cyclocross Championship concluded with a display from the Belgian team in the elite men's category. Thibau Nys has reclaimed the continental title he won in 2024, after a race in which he had to overcome the resistance of his compatriot Joran Wyseure until the last minutes.

The victory came after nine laps and 59 minutes and 37 seconds of competition. Nys crossed the finish line with a seven-second lead over Wyseure, while Niels Vandeputte finished third, 19 seconds behind, completing a fully Belgian podium.

The day also saw a good performance from Felipe Orts, who finished seventh, 49 seconds behind the winner, after staying among the riders fighting for medals for a good part of the race.

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The race started with a large group of favorites riding practically together. The circuit, faster than expected and with few areas to gain significant differences, favored continuous position changes during the early laps.

Felipe Orts was one of the most active riders at the start, even leading the race while Thibau Nys and Michael Vanthourenhout moved up positions after a discreet start.

The first significant attacks came after the first third of the race. Nys began to increase the pace and took advantage of the technical sections to momentarily distance himself from his rivals.

However, Joran Wyseure confirmed that his recent victory in the Superprestige of Middelkerke was no fluke. The Belgian managed to neutralize Nys's attacks and stay at his level, even when his compatriot seemed to have a slight advantage.

Kevin Kuhn also managed to stay close to the two leaders for much of the race, while behind them Joris Nieuwenhuis, Niels Vandeputte, and Felipe Orts tried to reduce the gaps.

With two laps to go, Nys and Wyseure led the race with a seven-second advantage over Kuhn and thirteen over a group that included Orts, Cameron Mason, Nieuwenhuis, and Vandeputte.

The British Mason staged one of the most notable comebacks of the day. His pace was the fastest of the entire race for a lap and allowed the pursuers to dangerously close in on the leaders. But Nys had a final effort prepared.

In the final lap, the Belgian accelerated with immense power on the 99-step staircase, one of the most striking obstacles of the Zeddam European cyclocross circuit.

Thibau Nys made the difference in the stairs during the last lap to become European champion of #cyclocross for the 2nd time ahead of Joran Wyseure. Niels Vandeputte completed the podium ahead of Joris Nieuwenhuis and Kevin Kuhn #Eurocross26 #Zeddam2026 https://t.co/9xgY3IyZyv

— Les Rois du Peloton (@LRoisDuPeloton) November 8, 2026

Wyseure tried to respond, but this time he could not keep up the pace. The gap opened on the climb was enough for Nys to tackle the rest of the course solo and reach the finish line without giving his rival any chances.

The staircase that had influenced the races throughout the weekend also decided the men's title.

Felipe Orts finishes seventh in a race dominated by Belgium

The Alicante cyclist once again demonstrated that he can compete with the best European specialists. Orts was present in the front group from the first kilometers and even contested the leading positions during different phases of the race.

When Nys and Wyseure managed to open gaps, the Spaniard stayed among the main pursuers, although he ultimately could not enter the direct fight for the podium.

His seventh place, 49 seconds behind the winner, also represents an improvement over the ninth position he achieved in the 2025 European Championship.

Ahead, Niels Vandeputte was the fastest in the battle for bronze, surpassing the Dutch Joris Nieuwenhuis, who finished fourth, 20 seconds behind the champion. Kevin Kuhn completed the top five, while Cameron Mason finished sixth.

One of the major negative surprises was Michael Vanthourenhout. The Belgian, European champion in 2022 and 2023 and one of the main favorites before the start, finished in an unexpected 22nd position.

With this triple victory, Belgium closed the European Championship with eight medals across all categories.

2026 European Cyclocross Championship Standings – Elite Men

1. Thibau Nys (Belgium) – 59:37
2. Joran Wyseure (Belgium) – +0:07
3. Niels Vandeputte (Belgium) – +0:19
4. Joris Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands) – +0:20
5. Kevin Kuhn (Switzerland) – +0:20
6. Cameron Mason (Great Britain) – +0:22
7. Felipe Orts (Spain) – +0:49
8. Jente Michels (Belgium) – +0:55
9. Ryan Kamp (Netherlands) – +0:57
10. Romain Debord (France) – +1:07