First at the 2026 Cyclo-cross World Championships: use of electric race bikes allowed

The World Championships will take place from January 30 to February 1 in Hulst. The town in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen has been preparing for some time for the event, which is expected to attract over 100,000 spectators over the course of the week.

In sporting terms, the 2026 World Championships serve as a showcase for the province of Zeeland. The organizing committee, which includes all stakeholders, aims to put the region on the global map with a unique concept.

From that ambition came the idea to allow electric bikes in the elite categories. “Electric bikes are popular among recreational cyclists, whom we’d love to welcome in large numbers to Zeeland. The time is right to introduce e-bikes into competitive cycling,” says the organization. “Once the world sees that you can enjoy riding an e-bike across all types of terrain in Zeeland, it will undoubtedly boost tourism in one of the most beautiful provinces of the Netherlands.”

Speed Limitation

Behind the scenes, details are still being finalized. The electric race bikes will likely be subject to a speed limit. “We want to prevent the races from becoming too dangerous due to significantly higher speeds,” the organization acknowledges. “We believe this measure not only promotes e-cycling, but could also create a more level playing field at the World Championships. For riders who usually only catch a glimpse of stars like Wout van Aert, Tom Pidcock, and Mathieu van der Poel at the start line before losing sight of them, this is a chance to stay in their wheels a little longer. We also think that introducing electric race bikes will increase the excitement of the races.”