Marie Schreiber will finally begin her 2025-26 cyclocross campaign this Sunday in Hamme, with the Luxembourg rider confirmed to start the X2O Trofee round after months of forced absence. Her return adds yet another big name to a weekend already marked by comebacks, with Lander Loockx, Fleur Moors and Annemarie Worst also rejoining the peloton.
The 22-year-old endured a difficult and disrupted summer. A Covid infection during the Tour de l’Avenir Femmes was quickly followed by a bacterial respiratory infection, derailing her preparations and leaving her far from her best at the World Championships in Rwanda. She later skipped the European Championships entirely. Only in recent weeks has Schreiber finally been able to train consistently again.
Hamme now serves as the ideal re-entry point, especially with Schreiber targeting the opening rounds of the UCI World Cup, which begin next week. The Luxembourger has made clear progress each season, and last winter delivered her biggest result to date with an outstanding victory in Hulst, securing her first World Cup win at the elite level. At the time, she was still racing primarily among the under-23s; this season, she steps fully into the elite category.
Her talent is unquestioned. Schreiber is already a multiple national champion in cyclocross, the 2025 under-23 vice-world champion, and one of the most consistent young riders in the sport. Her World Cup podiums in Antwerpen and Benidorm last season, combined with wins in Maldegem, Nommay and Contern, underline her all-round quality on varied terrain.
Her CV beyond cyclocross is equally impressive. In 2024, she completed a rare double at home by winning both the Luxembourg national road race and time trial titles, while also taking bronze in the under-23 time trial at the European Championships. At the 2025 Games of the Small States of Europe, she swept the road events, claiming gold in the road race, team relay and time trial.
With that level of pedigree, her comeback is one of the most anticipated of the early season. Schreiber arrives in Hamme without pressure, but witha clear intent to use the race as a springboard back to the rhythm of competition.
If she can rediscover the sharpness she carried through last winter, her World Cup ambitions next week will be entirely justified. The elite field has already begun to take shape – and on Sunday, Marie Schreiber finally joins it.
