Cyclocross is one of the most distinctive disciplines in professional cycling, combining explosive racing with technical skill across short, intense events held primarily through the autumn and winter months. Races take place on closed circuits featuring a mix of grass, mud, sand, gravel and tarmac, with obstacles such as barriers, steps and steep banks requiring riders to dismount and run with their bikes. Traditionally rooted in Belgium and the Netherlands, cyclocross has expanded steadily across Europe and beyond, with events now staged in countries including France, Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and the United States.

At the elite level, the discipline is anchored by a series of high-profile competitions sanctioned by the UCI, most notably the Cyclocross World Cup, alongside historic standalone races and national championships that carry enormous prestige. Riders accumulate points across the season, but unlike road cycling there is no obligation for teams to contest every round, allowing athletes to tailor their programmes around form, conditions and championship targets. In recent years, cyclocross has benefited from increased media exposure, improved professionalism and greater crossover with road and mountain bike racing, cementing its status as a vital and highly specialised pillar of the sport’s competitive landscape.