Fem van Empel and Thibau Nys headline European Cyclocross Championships

Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) and Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions)
Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) and Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions) (Image credit: Getty Images)

World Champion Fem van Empel (Jumbo-Visma) and Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) are both set to defend their continental titles as they head to the European Cyclocross Championships this weekend in Pont-Château, France, alongside a whole host of the discipline’s best. 

Seven European champions will be crowned across junior, U23 and elite races for men and women, as well as riders in an inaugural team relay. Only six teams will compete Friday in the team event as the Netherlands have opted out despite being a dominant nation in the discipline.

James Moultrie
News Writer

James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined Cyclingnews as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.