By Shane Stokes
The recent announcement that the UCI cyclocross World Cup will return to Ireland in December is a boost, but aside from the slightly later date than last year, there are realistic reasons why the field should be stronger next time around.
The event is one of just four on the UCI calendar which have been awarded the new ‘protected event’ status. Along with Oristano (Italy), Hulst (Netherlands) and Besançon (France), the Dublin round will be boosted by the measure.
According to the UCI, this status is granted ‘only when the event is of particular importance for the international development of cyclo-cross,’ and that it will ‘enable the UCI to refuse registration on the UCI International Calendar of a race that wishes to take place the day before or on the day of a ‘protected event.’
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The 2023 Dublin World Cup was held on November 26th. The X20 Trofee Kortrijk was held in Belgium one day beforehand, something which impacted on the quality of the field for the Irish event. Under the new UCI rules such a clash will no longer occur.
Sport Ireland CEO hailed the announcement that the World Cup will return, as well as welcoming the new status.
“We’re delighted to be able to welcome the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup back to the Sport Ireland Campus again this year,” she told Sticky Bottle recently.
“Last year we hosted an exceptional event, with top riders, an innovative course and thousands of fans combining to create an electric atmosphere. We think this year's event will be even more special, thanks to new rules designed to attract even more of the sport's top cyclists.
“The Dublin event has been given ‘protected status.’ meaning the UCI, the world governing body of cycling, will refuse to sanction any top-level races on the weekend of a protected World Cup round.
“These new rules are designed to ensure the very best riders focus on World Cups over other events - which is great news for cyclo-cross fans hoping to see some of the biggest names in the sport turn up in Dublin for the December 1st event.”
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Additional UCI rules will also help. The number of rounds has been cut from 14 to 12, making for a more compact calendar.
The governing body also states that “from now on, riders – men and women – in the top 20 of the latest UCI Elite Cyclo-cross Ranking will no longer be able to take part in national events.
“This measure aims to ensure consistency and a clear structure between the national calendars and the UCI International Calendar by encouraging the best events, i.e. those capable of attracting the best athletes, to register at international level.”
Combined, the measures should see a bigger turnout of top names for Dublin next December and—hopefully—the presence of one or more of the big three, namely 2022 Dublin round winner Wout van Aert (Visma Lease a Bike), Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Deceuninck).
May said that she is looking forward to a strong home representation.
“Last year also saw some terrific races from Irish riders. We'll be hoping they can give home fans something else to cheer about again this year.
“This is another world class event hosted by us that demonstrates our ongoing commitment to championing high-performance sport and developing the Sport Ireland Campus.”
The Dublin round will again include UCI World Cup youth categories, making it one of only six rounds to do so.
2024-2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup calendar:
- Round 1: Sunday 24 November 2024, in Antwerp (Belgium)
- Round 2: Sunday 1 December 2024, in Dublin (Ireland)*
- Round 3: Sunday 8 December 2024, Oristano - Sardinia (Italy) - to be confirmed
- Round 4: Sunday 15 December 2024, in Namur (Belgium)
- Round 5: Saturday 21 December 2024, in Hulst (Netherlands)*
- Round 6: Sunday 22 December 2024, in Zonhoven (Belgium)*
- Round 7: Thursday 26 December 2024, in Gavere (Belgium)
- Round 8: Sunday 29 December 2024, Besançon (France)*
- Round 9: Sunday 5 January 2025, in Dendermonde (Belgium)
- Round 10: Sunday 19 January 2025, in Benidorm - Costa Blanca (Spain)*
- Round 11: Saturday 25 January 2025, Maasmechelen (Belgium)
- Round 12: Sunday 26 January 2025, Hoogerheide – Noord-Brabant (Netherlands)*.
* Rounds marked with an asterisk include races in the Men Under 23, Men Junior and Women Junior categories in addition to the races in the Men Elite and Women Elite categories.
The rounds held in Dublin, Oristano, Hulst and Besançon have been granted a "protected event" status.
