Key Takeaways:
– Safety concerns arise around the 2026 World Cyclocross Championship course following a crash involving Cat Ferguson.
– Ferguson was hospitalized after encountering a heavy fall during the World Cup held at Hulst.
– Course is expected to attract a large crowd, with the possibility of Mathieu van der Poel breaking the world title record.
– The likelihood of an altered course design for the World Championships to cater for more spectators and enhance race safety.
The upcoming 2026 World Cyclocross Championships faces a cloud of safety concerns after top contender Cat Ferguson crashed during a recent competition. Ferguson was swiftly taken to the hospital post-crash, sparking fear the designed championship course may be perilous for participants.
Notable incident During the World Cup at Hulst
The incident occurred on the World Cup round at Hulst that comprised nearly 60% of the 2026 championship course. The course crisscrosses the Dutch-Belgian border and is anticipated to draw a vast audience given its location. Add to that the exciting prospect of Mathieu van der Poel breaking the tie with Roger De Vlaeminck’s record of seven world titles.
The World Cup echoed the drama of the sport with surprise victors in Niels Vandeputte and Marie Schreiber, both leading their races from start to finish.
Crashes and Falls Plague the Race
However, a series of unfortunate incidents involving various racers marred the otherwise engaging event.
Schreiber faced challenges navigating a treacherous downhill section of the course, forcing her to run instead of ride, while many crashed behind her.
Ferguson, the road junior world champion, suffered the most severe fall of the day. After crashing heavily during the second lap, her team—Moviestar—took to social media, announcing her transfer to the hospital for a medical examination.
Another casualty of the same descent was Overall elite men’s leader, Michael Vanthourenhout, who fell twice on consecutive laps but managed to conclude the race in seventh place.
Questions Regarding Course Safety Emerge
Following these incidents, former European Champion Helen Wyman questioned the safety of the section for cyclists during wet conditions on Eurosport.
She argued that while the cyclocross course is designed to be suitable for all weather conditions and allows the alternative of running, it could still potentially be dangerous.
Course Modifications for the World Championships
Responding to the concerns, race organizer Kurt Vernimmen suggested that the course for the 2026 World Championships would be modified from the current World Cup round design to accommodate a larger crowd.
He revealed that plans to acquire new land on the other side of the water to create more space for spectators and improved race themes are already underway.
Unhappy Incident Involving Van der Poel
Last season, cyclocross star Mathieu van der Poel faced a disturbing incident at Hulst, with a fan spitting at him and booing. As a countermeasure, the organizers have increased the security and the number of stewards.
However, Van der Poel chose to start his season at Zonhoven instead of his home ground. Vernimmen expressed disappointment at this but acknowledged it must have been due to reasons beyond their control.
He expressed hope that if Van der Poel becomes world champion in Liévin, he might return to Hulst to win his eighth title, solidifying his status as the sole record holder. As the cycle of cyclocross continues, all eyes are on the World Championships and hopes for a safe, fair battleground.