Lille, Belgium 08 Feb 2026 Class C1 – Class 1
Website www.krawatencross.be
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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.
X2O Trofee Lille – Krawatencross (Sunday, Feb 8)
Results for the Krawatencross in Lille were just coming in at the time of your query.
- Marie Schreiber: After her podium on Saturday, Schreiber continued her busy weekend in Lille. While Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado took the win, Schreiber was once again in the mix at the front of the race.
- Note on Christine Majerus: While she is the legendary 12-time national champion, she has largely stepped back from a full cyclocross campaign this season following her retirement from professional road racing in late 2024.
Weekend Summary
| Rider | Middelkerke (Superprestige) | Lille (X2O Trofee) |
| Marie Schreiber | 3rd Place 🥉 | Top 10 Finisher* |
| Maïté Barthels | 19th Place | Competed |
Quick Fact: Marie Schreiber’s 3rd place in Middelkerke also solidified her top-5 standing in the final 2025-2026 Superprestige Overall Classification, a testament to her consistency throughout the winter.
The Krawatencross in Lille, Belgium, is one of the most storied and technically unique races in the cyclocross calendar. Known for its heavy sand sections and its status as a “hometown race” for some of the sport’s biggest legends, it is currently a key fixture of the X²O Badkamers Trofee (historically the GVA or DVV Trofee).
1. Origins and the “Krawaten” Name
The race was founded in 1992. At the time, the town of Lille was home to two rival cyclocross stars: Paul Herygers and Erwin Vervecken. To avoid favoring one local hero over the other by naming the race after them, organizers chose the name “Krawatencross.”
- The Legend: The term “Krawaten” (Croats) is a historical nickname for the people of Lille. It dates back to the 17th century, when Croatian mercenaries were reportedly killed by locals in the area after a dispute. The village was forced to pay “blood money” (smartengeld), and the derogatory nickname stuck, eventually becoming a badge of local pride.
- The Venue: The race is held at the Lilse Bergen, a recreation area centered around a large swimming lake. This defines the course’s character: fast, flat, but with brutal, soul-sapping sand sections.
2. A Breeding Ground for Champions
Lille is often called the “capital of Belgian cyclocross” because of the sheer density of talent born or living there.
- Local Heroes: Paul Herygers, Erwin Vervecken, Sanne Cant, and Wout van Aert all hail from the region.
- World Champions: In a remarkable coincidence, all four of these local riders have won at least one Elite World Championship title.
3. Key Historical Milestones
While primarily a regular series event, Lille has twice served as the venue for the Belgian National Championships:
- 2004: Bart Wellens took the title.
- 2016: A historic day for the town, as local favorites Wout van Aert and Sanne Cant both won the gold medals on their home turf.
The race has been part of the Gazet van Antwerpen (GVA) Trofee—which evolved into the DVV Trofee and finally the X²O Badkamers Trofee—for over 30 editions.
4. Record Holders & Recent Winners
The sandy “Lilse Bergen” course requires a specific type of specialist—riders who can maintain high power while “floating” over deep sand.
Men’s Race
- Record Winner: Sven Nys (7 victories).
- Recent Dominance: Mathieu van der Poel has won four times (2017–2020), while Laurens Sweeck (a renowned sand specialist) won the most recent edition in 2025 in a thrilling three-up sprint.
Women’s Race
- Record Winner: Sanne Cant (6 victories).
- Recent Dominance: Lucinda Brand has become the modern queen of Lille, winning multiple times (including 2022 and 2025), alongside back-to-back wins for Fem van Empel (2023, 2024).
5. Course Profile
The race is famous for its “Beach of the Kempen” feel.
- The Sand: Long stretches along the lake shore force riders to either power through or dismount and run.
- The Woods: Technical, winding sections through the pine trees provide a sharp contrast to the open sand.
- The Pace: Because it is relatively flat, the race often stays “grouped” longer than hillier courses, leading to tactical battles and sprint finishes.
