A Strong Start into the Cyclo-Cross Season
The Luxembourg cyclo-cross season began successfully and concluded its opening block with the international race in Contern.
The 2025 season started on 27 September with a premiere: the Cyclo-Cross in Schouweiler, organised by UC Dippach, appeared for the first time on the international calendar. Among the starters was world number four Niels Vandeputte, who lived up to expectations and took the win. Belgium also topped the women’s race thanks to Julie Brouwers. It was a perfect start to the “season of the fields”, before the first round of the Škoda Cross Cup followed on 12 October in Kayl.
There, Timithé Gabriel from France and June Nothum dominated the Elite categories, while Lennox Papi, Ben Fleming and Pol Weisgerber impressed in their respective U23, Junior and Masters divisions. The first leader jerseys were awarded, and already the following weekend, riders across the Grand Duchy faced a demanding double race programme.
On 18 October, the traditional Urban Nightcross in Reckange-sur-Mess provided a spectacular nocturnal setting. Under the glow of the streetlights, Belgian Elio Clarysse claimed victory, while Lennox Papi, who was closing in fast towards the end, suffered bad luck when his chain snapped at the start of the final lap. June Nothum and Ben Fleming continued their winning streaks, while Claude Wolter took over the lead in the Masters category. In the youth races, Lorenzo Astolfi got another win, while Sarah Koenig and Chiara Christen went into Sunday’s race in Mondorf-les-Bains tied on points.
The technically demanding course made for exciting racing. Only in the Junior and Masters categories did the favourites remain unchallenged: Ben Fleming secured his third victory in a row, while Pol Weisgerber, absent on Saturday, once again dominated his rivals. Among the youth riders, Paul Moog beat Lorenzo Astolfi, while Chiara Christen reclaimed the lead from Sarah Koenig. In the Elite categories, the Hettange-Grande club celebrated a double success, with Laura Piernet winning clearly among the women and Théo Jung taking a narrow victory ahead of Elyo Clarysse in the men’s race.
On 26 October, the International Cyclo-Cross of Contern rounded off this first phase of the season, with Luxembourg’s riders delivering strong performances. Liv Wenzel and Lennox Papi particularly impressed, finishing third and seventh respectively, while Maïté Barthels and Ben Fleming also performed well, finishing sixth and eleventh.
In the youth category, Leo Marc Lanners celebrated his first victory of the season, while Sarah Koenig levelled the score against Chiara Christen. In the Junior race, Belgian Maxime Smits emerged victorious after a fierce four-way battle that lasted the entire race. Larissa Hartog from the Netherlands and Belgian Wout Janssen dominated their respective Elite races and took clear wins.
The Škoda Cross Cup will now take a two-week break. On 8 and 9 November, Luxembourg’s best riders will head to Middelkerke, Belgium, to compete in the European Championships. The next round of the Škoda Cross Cup will follow on 22 November on the military base in Diekirch, which will host the Military World Cyclo-Cross Championships.
