The organizers of the North Sea Cross in Middelkerke will spend 35,000 euros on temporary lighting for the event, shifting the traditional fixture from a daytime race in February to a Thursday evening Halloween-themed event ahead of the European Championships in Zeddam.
That investment in artificial illumination covers the costs of powering the course after dark, a financial hurdle that organizer Luc Verschueren noted cannot be sustained annually without municipal assistance from Middelkerke mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker. The fixture change became necessary because the traditional February date conflicted directly with the World Championships staged just seven kilometers away in Ostend, a proximity that would have severely diluted local attendance and VIP ticket sales.
Course Redesign at Sportpark De Krokodil
While the traditional interval cross layout featuring grass strips, sand sections, and short climbs remains intact at Sportpark De Krokodil, course builders completely redrew the circuit for its nocturnal debut. Start and finish lines move away from the usual Westendelaan location to sit directly in the middle of the park along the stretch that previously held the wooden hurdles.
Riders encounter the main hill immediately after the starting gun. The traditional sand passage, meanwhile, is bypassed early in the circuit and saved for the final moments of each lap to maximize tactical drama.
Vanthourenhout Defends Standing Against Sweeck and Absent Stars
Men’s series leader Michael Vanthourenhout takes the start to defend his standing, joined by regular challengers Niels Vandeputte and Witse Meeussen. Laurens Sweeck, a two-time winner in Middelkerke, targets a third victory after taking top honors in 2020 and 2021.
Among the notable absentees are Thibau Nys and reigning women’s world champion Lucinda Brand. Verschueren acknowledged the attendance challenge candidly, stating that while full-time crossers form the core of the grid, fields lack the drawing power of past eras when stars like Sven Nys and Bart Wellens competed.
Fouquenet and Van Alphen Headline Compact Women Field
The women’s race features a compact starting field of 29 riders, headlined by Amandine Fouquenet and Aniek van Alphen. Fouquenet won the 2025 edition ahead of Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado and Marie Schreiber, while Van Alphen claimed victory in the early-year Superprestige showdown at the same venue.
Inge van der Heijden arrives at the coast wearing the blue-and-white European champion’s jersey for potentially the final time, as she prepares to defend the title in Zeddam. Organizers project a turnout of roughly 5,000 paying spectators, matching historical attendance figures for the post-championship window and keeping the event financially viable.
Evening Races Run in Dry Conditions with Low Temperatures
Racing takes place in dry conditions with temperatures reaching a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius and limited wind. The women’s event starts at 6:30 p.m. local time, followed by the men’s race at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Keep reading
