Mol, Belgium 02 Jan 2026 Class C2 – Class 2
Website www.zilvermeercross.be
Email erwin.vervecken@golazo.com
Exact Cross Mol Silver Lake Cross
Friday, January 2, 2026
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Zilvermeercross in Mol, Belgium, is one of cyclocross’s most visually stunning and technically demanding races. Known for its “sand-hell” terrain, the race is held at the Provinciaal Domein het Zilvermeer, a recreational park where the course snakes across the white sand beaches of a swimming lake.
Its history is defined by its transition from an independent night race to a major series event, and its reputation for hosting epic battles between the “Big Three” (Van der Poel, Van Aert, and Pidcock).
⏳ Evolution of the Race
- Foundation (2014): The race was first organized in 2014 by the local cycling club and former world champion Erwin Vervecken. From the start, it stood out because of its deep sand sections, which favor riders with exceptional power and technical bike handling.
- The “Night Cross” Era: In its early years (2014, 2015, and again in 2022), the race was held under floodlights in the evening. This created a legendary atmosphere but was eventually moved to daytime slots due to the complexity of lighting the entire sandy course and logistical costs.
- Series History:
- Independent/C2: For much of its history, it was an independent race (not part of a major season-long trophy).
- Exact Cross (2022–2023): It joined the Exact Cross series (formerly Ethias Cross), where it became a staple of the “Kerstperiode” (Christmas period) racing block.
- Superprestige (2024–Present): Starting with the 2024–2025 season, the race joined the prestigious Superprestige series, elevating its status and ensuring a top-tier field of riders.
🏖️ The Course: A Sandy Challenge
The Zilvermeercross is almost entirely defined by sand. Unlike other “sand crosses” (like Koksijde or Oostende), the sand in Mol is very fine and white.
- Lakeside Straights: Long stretches along the water require riders to maintain a perfect line; one slight mistake in the ruts usually means having to dismount and run.
- The Running Factor: Because the sand is so deep, even the best riders spend a significant portion of the lap on foot, carrying their bikes.
🏆 Records and Notable Winners
The race has historically been a playground for the sport’s greatest rivals. Wout van Aert won the very first edition in 2014, and since then, he and Mathieu van der Poel have dominated the podium.
Most Successful Athletes
| Category | Leader(s) | Wins |
| Men Elite | Mathieu van der Poel & Wout van Aert | 4 each |
| Women Elite | Lucinda Brand | 3 |
Recent Men’s Winners
- 2021: Wout van Aert
- 2022: Wout van Aert
- 2023: Mathieu van der Poel
- 2024: Mathieu van der Poel
Recent Women’s Winners
- 2021: Lucinda Brand
- 2022: Shirin van Anrooij
- 2023: Lucinda Brand
- 2024: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
📅 The 2026 Edition
As of today, January 1, 2026, the next Zilvermeercross is scheduled to take place tomorrow, January 2nd. It returns to the Exact Cross series for this year, marking the first major race of the 2026 calendar. Mathieu van der Poel is currently the heavy favorite following his dominant solo win here last year.
Note: The race is famous for the 80% rule. Because the laps are short and the sand is so slow, the leaders often lap a huge portion of the field. In 2023, Van der Poel’s pace was so high that only 10 out of 61 starters were allowed to finish the race!
