CYCLOCROSS: Telenet Superprestige Middelkerque

Middelkerke, Belgium 07 Feb 2026 Class C1 – Class 1

Website www.noordzeecross.com

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

Results powered by FirstCycling.com

It was a podium-heavy weekend for the Luxembourgish riders in the Belgian mud. Marie Schreiber was the standout performer, securing a podium finish in the season finale of the Superprestige and maintaining her status as one of the top elite women in the field.

Here is the breakdown of the results for the Luxembourgish contingent:

Superprestige Middelkerke – Noordzeecross (Saturday, Feb 7)

The final round of the Superprestige series saw a strong showing from Luxembourg in the Women’s Elite race.

• Marie Schreiber (Team SD Worx – Protime): Finished 3rd. She was a key animator early in the race and managed to hold off the rest of the field to secure a spot on the podium behind Amandine Fouquenet and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
• Maïté Barthels: Finished 19th. A solid ride in a deep field, finishing roughly 7:38 behind the winner.

The Telenet Superprestige Middelkerke, better known as the Noordzeecross (North Sea Cross), is one of the most storied and picturesque stops on the cyclo-cross calendar. Situated on the Belgian coast, it serves as the traditional season finale for the Superprestige series—the oldest classification in the sport.

Origins and Early Years (1959–2010)

The race began in 1959, making it one of the oldest cyclo-cross events in Belgium. In its early decades, it operated as a standalone race known for its coastal winds and sandy terrain.

• A “Beach” Cross: Unlike the forest-heavy tracks of central Belgium, Middelkerke is defined by its proximity to the North Sea. The course traditionally utilizes the “De Krokodiel” sports park, featuring heavy sand sections and dunes that demand raw power and bike-handling skills.
• The Legends: Before it joined the Superprestige, the Noordzeecross was already a prestigious title. Legends like Eric De Vlaeminck and Sven Nys dominated the dunes here long before the race carried series points.

Joining the Superprestige (2011–Present)

The race reached its modern status in the 2010–2011 season when it was integrated into the Superprestige series.

• The Grand Finale: Since joining the series, Middelkerke has almost always served as the final round. Because the Superprestige is a classification based on points over eight races, Middelkerke is frequently where the overall winner is crowned.
• The Venue: The course is famous for its “staircase” sections and technical turns in the mud and sand of the coastal polders.
• Dominant Forces: * Men:Sven Nys holds the record for the most Superprestige wins overall (13), with several iconic battles occurring on this specific coastal course. In more recent years, Mathieu van der Poel and Eli Iserbyt have been the men to beat.
  • Women: The women’s race has seen fierce rivalries between Sanne Cant, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado, and Lucinda Brand.

Recent History (2025–2026)

The event remains a highlight of the “kerstperiode” and the late-season push.

• 2025 Highlights: The 2024–2025 season saw Joris Nieuwenhuis and Inge van der Heijden take the victories in Middelkerke.
• 2026 Edition: Just today (February 7, 2026), Michael Vanthourenhout won the Men’s Elite race, while Amandine Fouquenet took the Women’s Elite win. Despite Vanthourenhout’s victory, Niels Vandeputte secured his first-ever overall Superprestige title by finishing second in the race.

Quick Facts