Brussels, Belgium 15 Feb 2026 Class C1 – Class 1
Website www.brucross.be
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The Brussels Universities Cyclocross (officially the Soudal Brussels Universities Cyclocross) is a relatively young but highly distinct event in the cyclocross world. Part of the X²O Badkamers Trofee (formerly the DVV Trophy), it is famous for its unique urban setting and academic backdrop.
As of today, February 15, 2026, the 8th edition of the race is taking place as the grand finale of the X²O Trofee season.
1. Origins and Foundation (2019)
The race was born in 2019 after the discontinuation of the GP de la Région Wallonne in Spa-Francorchamps. The event organizer, Golazo, looked for a new venue in the Brussels region and struck a unique deal with two neighboring universities:
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) – Dutch-speaking.
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) – French-speaking.
The first edition was held on January 6, 2019, and was immediately dominated by the sport’s biggest names. Mathieu van der Poel won the inaugural men’s elite race, while Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado took the women’s title.
2. The Course: “Part City-Crit, Part Mud-Bath”
The track is one of the most unusual on the professional circuit because it is entirely contained within the university campuses in Ixelles.
- Technical Features: The riders race past lecture halls, student dorms, and athletic tracks. It features a mix of artificial obstacles, steep grassy embankments, and tricky off-camber sections.
- “Urban” Feel: Unlike the forest-heavy races of the North, this is a technical, punchy course with lots of sharp corners and “curb jumps” that favor riders with high explosive power and bike-handling skills.
3. Memorial Tributes
Since 2023, the elite races have carried a deeper emotional weight, serving as memorials for two beloved honorary rectors of the VUB who passed away in 2022:
- Memorial Caroline Pauwels (Elite Women’s Race)
- Memorial Paul De Knop (Elite Men’s Race)
4. Past Winners & Records
The race has a history of crowning world-class champions. Because the X²O Trofee is a time-based classification (like the Tour de France) rather than point-based, the Brussels finale is often where the final yellow jersey is decided.
| Year | Elite Men’s Winner | Elite Women’s Winner |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2020 | Mathieu van der Poel | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2021 | Toon Aerts | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2022 | Michael Vanthourenhout | Annemarie Worst |
| 2023 | Eli Iserbyt | Fem van Empel |
| 2024 | Eli Iserbyt | Lucinda Brand |
| 2025 | Michael Vanthourenhout | Sara Casasola |
Current Status (February 2026)
The 2026 edition is currently being held on February 15th. It serves as the final round of the X²O Badkamers Trofee for the 2025-2026 season.
