Ben Goddard
Ben raced as an amateur cyclist in the UK from a young age into the senior ranks on the road, track and in cyclocross. He has an NQJ qualification in journalism, and a sports journalism degree, and has spent over 10 years as a news and sports journalist. Ben has been covering cyclocross for media outlets, including Cyclingnews, since 2021 and has been on the ground reporting at World Championships in Zolder, Belvaux, Valkenberg, Dubendorf, and Hoogerheide. Away from cycling as a freelance sports journalist, Ben regularly reports on a range of sports including football, rugby, and snooker amongst others. However, he is happiest whilst reporting on-site at cyclocross races in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Latest articles by
![Thumbs up for Zoe Backstedt at the under 23 cyclocross world championships](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vh3vww4vJxXX8hwqwi6WPK-320-80.jpg)
Zoe Backstedt dominates U23 women's race at Cyclocross World Championships
By Ben Goddard published
Results Welsh rider beats Zemanova and Bentveld to add another world title to her incredible palmares
![Fem van Empel won the 2024 elite women's UCI cyclocross World Championships](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mBBHftmPn8TN9vjTe3SFff-320-80.jpg)
Fem van Empel wins elite women's title at Cyclocross World Championships
By Ben Goddard published
Results Defending champion distances Lucinda Brand and Puck Pieterse
![Tibor del Grosso wins the men's Under 23 cyclocross world title](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kfTjtWi8Wjdhtb89URh9DF-320-80.jpg)
Tibor del Grosso dominates U23 men's race at Cyclocross Worlds
By Ben Goddard published
Results Dutch favourite avoids early crash and rides away from Belgian rivals Emiel Verstrynge and Jente Michels
![Wout van Aert in action](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZCMgrgf6d9Jsg7mpZaTDdA-320-80.jpg)
Wout van Aert fifth but out-paces Van der Poel in final laps of Hulst World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
News Early crash and puncture put Belgian on the back foot in final race in Jumbo-Visma jersey
![Mathieu van der Poel in action during the Hulst World Cup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q9TF8TCR4GeLypL62A9sLH-320-80.jpg)
Mathieu van der Poel 'done with' spectators booing, spitting at him
By Ben Goddard published
News World Champion endures abuse even on home soil in Hulst
![Belgian Wout van Aert pictured in action during the men's elite race of the World Cup in Gavere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sMKxeY9niqt5mS8wQctL8F-320-80.jpg)
Van Aert: Van der Poel 'smashed it and was on another level' in Gavere World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
News Jumbo-Visma rider comes second, was the only rival to keep Van der Poel in sight after world champion attacked early
![Tom Pidcock](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RBVf3fTa2P3NP5niCJQagd-320-80.jpg)
Tom Pidcock rebounds in Gavere, making up 26 places to land on podium
By Ben Goddard published
News Briton says, "It was a bit annoying" after early race mishaps in UCI Cyclocross World Cup
![Wout van Aert racing at Antwerp World Cup](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JqtNTvHY47rHeULP7sBf7d-320-80.jpg)
Wout Van Aert: I don't have the form yet to go full gas for the whole hour
By Ben Goddard published
News 'I'm glad I didn't burn myself out and rode my own race' Jumbo-Visma rider finishes second to Mathieu van der Poel at Antwerp World Cup
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Latest on Cyclingnews
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'It's a cyclocross race with a bit of road in the middle' - Zoe Bäckstedt to go all-in at Paris-Roubaix
British rider captures two rainbow jerseys at UCI Cyclo-cross Worlds in Liévin -
'A dream' - Thibau Nys bounces back from illness with third place at Cyclo-cross Worlds behind Van der Poel and Van Aert
'I had quite a difficult two weeks, but I knew that if I could have my level then a podium was possible' says Belgian after first elite podium -
Wout van Aert reunited with lost Garmin after Cyclo-cross World Championships
'It was definitely my best cyclocross race of the winter' says former world champion pleased with silver-medal performance
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Cyclo-cross World Championships: Mathieu van der Poel dominates to secure seventh elite men's title
Dutch rider equals Erik De Vlaeminck on seven titles in elite men's event as Belgians Wout van Aert settles for second, Thibau Nys third in Liévin -
Cyclo-cross World Championships: Zoe Bäckstedt lives up to the billing and defends women's U23 title
Marie Schreiber takes second for Luxembourg, with the Netherlands' Leonie Bentveld third in Liévin -
Tibor Del Grosso aims to 'get to the top' in road and cyclocross with WorldTour step-up approaching
Young Dutch star to open first senior road campaign at Paris-Nice in 2025
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'Hungry for more' - Puck Pieterse ends cyclocross season with Worlds bronze, turns attention to Spring Classics
'Fem always wins this title ... three times in a row. Every time, at the right time, she is super good' Pieterse praises compatriot's success in Liévin -
'Mixed feelings' for Lucinda Brand at Cyclo-cross Worlds after missing out on rainbow jersey in last lap
Brand says squeeze to the fences by Van Empel 'wasn't necessary' but admits that 'the difference was made already' -
Cyclo-cross World Championships: Three-in-a-row for Fem van Empel after hard-fought victory against Lucinda Brand in elite women's race
1-2-3 for the Netherlands as Puck Pieterse secures the bronze medal in Liévin