Gullegem, Belgium 03 Jan 2026 Class C2 – Class 2
Website www.cyclocrossgullegem.be
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Telenet Superprestige Gullegem is one of the younger but most vibrant fixtures on the professional cyclo-cross calendar. Known locally as the “Princess of the Loose Crosses” (Prinses der losse crossen), it has quickly evolved from a local race to a key stop in the historic Superprestige series.
Origins and Early Years (2018–2022)
The race was first organized in 2018 in Gullegem, Belgium. Unlike many historic races that date back decades, Gullegem was born out of a desire to create a high-energy event in the heart of West Flanders.
- Atmosphere: From the start, the organizers focused on a festive atmosphere, often blending the sporting event with “après-cross” celebrations.
- The Course: The track is located in the meadows between the Heulestraat and the Heulebeek (Heule stream). It is famous for being technically demanding with bridges, sand pits, and—crucially—heavy mud. In its inaugural year (2018) and again in 2024, parts of the course were actually flooded by the overflowing Heulebeek, requiring last-minute changes but never stopping the race.
Joining the Superprestige (2023–Present)
The event’s rapid growth caught the attention of Flanders Classics, the organizers of the Superprestige (the oldest season-long classification in cyclo-cross).
- The Promotion: After several years as a successful independent UCI C2 race, Gullegem officially joined the Telenet Superprestige series for the 2022-2023 season.
- Significance: Joining the series elevated its status, ensuring a higher caliber of riders and greater international TV coverage via Sporza and Eurosport.
Key Winners and Records
Despite its short history, the race has been dominated by the sport’s biggest names. Mathieu van der Poel currently holds the record for the most wins in the men’s category.
| Year | Men’s Winner | Women’s Winner |
| 2018 | Nick Van De Kerckhove | Jolien Verschueren |
| 2019 | Mathieu van der Poel | Loes Sels |
| 2020 | Mathieu van der Poel | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2021 | Mathieu van der Poel | Blanka Vas |
| 2022 | Tom Pidcock | Shirin van Anrooij |
| 2023 | Wout van Aert | Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado |
| 2024 | Michael Vanthourenhout | Zoe Bäckstedt |
| 2025 | Wout van Aert | Lucinda Brand |
Fun Fact: “Beat Lampaert”
The race has a unique connection to road cycling star Yves Lampaert, who lives nearby. The organizers once held a “Beat Lampaert” challenge where fans could attempt to beat his time on a portion of the cyclo-cross course.
