Cyclocross is one of the most thrilling cycling disciplines to witness live. While television broadcasts do a great job of capturing the on-course drama, they miss out on the electric atmosphere behind the barriers, the world that makes attending a race an unforgettable experience.
After a recent trip to the X2O Trophy race in Koksijde, I want to share some of the unique joys of cyclocross that simply don’t translate to the screen. Here are five highlights you won’t fully appreciate unless you’re there in person.
The food
Belgium’s love affair with Frites and Mayo is well known, but the ultimate snack for a day of spectating comes in the form of a humble, skinless sausage: the Frikandel. Admittedly, its appearance isn’t the most inviting, but don’t be fooled—it’s a taste sensation. Even writing about it now makes me crave another. Initially, I resisted looking up the ingredients, preferring blissful ignorance, but a quick online search reassured me it’s just a blend of beef, pork, and chicken with spices. There are whispers that horse meat was once an ingredient, but thankfully, that’s a relic of the past!
The paddocks
The paddocks are where the heart and soul of cyclocross come alive. Unlike in road cycling, where pros are often kept at a distance, CX riders move freely among the fans, signing autographs and chatting. Over the years, I’ve taken it upon myself to collect as many World Champion signatures as possible, chasing riders down with a sharpie in hand. My prized possession; a World Champ jersey covered in signatures from the sport’s legends, including Mathieu van der Poel, Sven Nys, and Marianne Vos, is nearly complete. The one elusive autograph? Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s. Since shifting her focus to mountain biking and road, I’ve found it nearly impossible to track her down. Ironically, I’ve met her before, but back then, she wasn’t a world champion, so her signature didn’t make the cut!
The fans
The atmosphere at a cyclocross race is unmatched. The beer tents are packed with fans in outlandish costumes, dancing to Eurotrash anthems with reckless enthusiasm. I’ve been guilty of getting carried away myself. On my first visit to Koksijde, I got a little too into the spirit of things, leading to an overzealous dance-off to ‘Gangnam Style’ that resulted in a wardrobe malfunction, let’s just say my trousers didn’t survive the experience.
Another aspect of CX fandom that sets it apart from any other sport is the presence of individual rider fan clubs. Instead of supporting teams, these groups rally behind their favourite racers, donning matching jackets emblazoned with their hero’s name and waving massive flags featuring their faces. At this year’s race, Laurens Sweeck’s fan club was out in force, taking up residence on one of the tough sand sections, a fitting spot, given that he took the win!
The pits
The pit area is a hive of activity, a synchronised display of skill and speed. While TV occasionally cuts to key bike swaps, it rarely captures the full chaos behind the scenes. Mechanics work with military precision, blasting bikes with pressure washers and making last-minute adjustments in mere minutes before riders return for a change. Riders race through, discarding unwanted gear and receiving shouted encouragement from their teams. Since the pits feature twice per lap, they’re a prime spot to catch plenty of action without constantly moving.
The course design
Watching on TV doesn’t do justice to the ingenuity of cyclocross course design. The cameras focus on the most dramatic obstacles, often making the technical sections look deceptively simple. In reality, the terrain is far trickier than it appears, demanding immense skill and bravery from the riders. To fully appreciate the challenges, we make a point of moving around the course throughout the race, experiencing different vantage points. Sturdy footwear is a must as the same mud, sand, and slippery slopes that challenge the riders also test the spectators!
Thinking of going? Here’s what you need to know
If you haven’t experienced a CX race in person, what’s stopping you? Our trip to Koksijde was a whirlwind day out, costing just £50 each, including tickets, thanks to splitting costs between three of us. Living just 70 miles from Dover makes day trips to Belgium feasible, but for other races, an overnight stay would be necessary and still affordable when shared with friends.
For this trip, we set off at 2 am, catching the 5am ferry to Calais. From there, it was just an hour’s drive north to Koksijde, with a crucial stop at a local bakery for pre-race pastries. We arrived just in time to catch the juniors’ race.
Top Tip: On the final lap of the last race, start making your way towards the finish line. This ensures a quick escape, avoiding post-race traffic and making it back to the ferry or Channel Tunnel on time. We cut it fine with just minutes to spare thanks to delays at customs, but it was worth it. I arrived home by 8 pm, promptly subjecting my wife to hundreds of race-day videos. A long but unforgettable 18-hour adventure!
