Thibau Nys returns with a victory after two falls and Lucinda Brand dominates the Koppenbergcross 2026

The Koppenbergcross opened this Sunday, November 1, the X2O Trophy with two very different races. Thibau Nys achieved a spectacular comeback to win in his season debut, while Lucinda Brand imposed her superiority with a solo victory. Both repeat the triumph they achieved in 2025.

Thibau Nys comes back 25 seconds and wins his third Koppenbergcross

Thibau Nys needed just one race to return to the top of the podium. The Belgian champion, who was debuting his cyclocross season, has added his third victory in the Koppenbergcross after overcoming two falls and making up a 25-second deficit to Michael Vanthourenhout.

The first fall occurred when Nys could not avoid Victor Van de Putte. The incident forced him to stop to straighten his handlebars and left the path clear for Vanthourenhout, who took advantage of the situation to consolidate his lead.

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Nys then began a comeback that was not without problems. A second fall and the subsequent pit stop delayed his progress, but he managed to overtake Gerben Kuypers and catch up with Vanthourenhout before starting the final lap.

The victory was decided on the cobbled climb of the Koppenberg. Vanthourenhout launched his acceleration first, but Nys responded with greater strength and ended up winning by seven seconds.

The result comes just a few days after Eli Iserbyt questioned the level of men's cyclocross, pointing specifically to Vanthourenhout as one of the few riders delivering the expected performance. Nys's return now introduces another contender for victories, while the wait continues for Wout van Aert, who has yet to decide when he will return and keeps the possibility of competing in the World Championship in Ostend open.

Top 10 elite men – Koppenbergcross 2026

1. Thibau Nys — 1:01:31
2. Michael Vanthourenhout — +0:07
3. Gerben Kuypers — +0:42
4. Pim Ronhaar — +0:57
5. Cameron Mason — +1:01
6. Jarno Bellens — +1:13
7. Arne Baers — +1:23
8. Romain Debord — +1:43
9. Thomas Mein — +1:52
10. Jente Michels — +1:55

Lucinda Brand wins solo and starts leading the X2O

Lucinda Brand also started the X2O Trophy with a victory, although her race had a much more controlled development. The world champion waited until after the halfway point of the race to launch the decisive attack and distance herself from all her rivals.

In the early laps, Marie Schreiber and Hélène Clauzel took much of the spotlight. Schreiber managed to select the leading group, which also included Sara Casasola and Brand. However, when the Dutchwoman increased the pace, none could respond.

Brand completed the final laps solo and crossed the finish line with a 53-second advantage over Casasola, who managed to reach the podium in her first cyclocross race of the season. Schreiber finished third, 1:22 behind.

The victory marks Brand's fourth win of the season and her second consecutive at the Koppenberg. Additionally, she starts as the leader of a X2O Trophy that is decided by accumulated times, so her advantage could be significant in the upcoming races.

Top 10 elite women – Koppenbergcross 2026

1. Lucinda Brand — 53:29
2. Sara Casasola — +0:53
3. Marie Schreiber — +1:22
4. Hélène Clauzel — +1:44
5. Amandine Fouquenet — +2:02
6. Denise Betsema — +2:06
7. Ceylin Alvarado — +2:18
8. Fem van Empel — +2:43
9. Kristýna Zemanová — +3:21
10. Inge van der Heijden — +3:27

The Koppenbergcross concludes a weekend with both international and national activity. In Spain, Felipe Orts achieved his first victory with the colors of Euskaltel and Sofía Rodríguez won the Copa de España in Amurrio.

Attention will now shift to the Netherlands, where on November 7 and 8, the European Cyclocross Championship will take place in Zeddam, featuring a spectacular staircase of nearly 100 steps as the main obstacle of the circuit. Before that, on Thursday the 5th, the Superprestige will have a new event in Middelkerke, as part of a 2026-2027 cyclocross calendar that will gain intensity over the coming weeks.