A Boa Vila will host the European Cyclocross Championships on 2 and 3 November 2024 in the Illa das Esculturas, which will bring together all the stars of the discipline in a spectacular setting, where several new features have been planned to enrich the usual circuit of Spanish Cups and Championships in a technical and spectacular way. Under the slogan Where the bikes bótanse ó lombo, the city of Pontevedra will be involved in a unique competition.
Once the bureaucratic formalities have been overcome, and with the approval of both the European Cycling Union (UEC) and the City Council of Pontevedra, everything is on track for the successful celebration of an event in which the new European Cyclocross Champion will be crowned. This cycling discipline, characterised by obstacles and circuits with a mixture of dirt and asphalt, has seen the Belgian Michael Vanthourenhout take the last two titles in the men’s race and the Dutchwoman Fem Van Empel in the women’s race. Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel, the reigning cyclocross and road World Champion, won three European titles between 2017 and 2019 as well.
In addition, as a novelty, the 2024 European Cyclocross Championships will also include the master’s races. An opportunity for the 30, 40, 50 and 60+ age categories to take part in the competition. In addition to the traditional elite, under-23 and junior competitions for both men and women, the most veteran riders will be added to double the total number of athletes taking part, who will race in the colours of their respective national teams. The best of the best, in Pontevedra.
Barely two months after holding the Spanish Cyclocross Cup, the Illa das Esculturas is once again awaiting the best cyclists from our continent. It will be an event in which the coveted white jersey with the flag and stars symbolising the European Union will once again be up for grabs. The traditional route where cyclists such as Ryan Kamp, Kevin Suárez, Laura Verdonschot or Lucía González have won; and where Felipe Orts, the great national star, won two titles of Spanish Champion in 2019 and 2020, will present many novelties.
The organisation of the European Cyclocross Championships, promoted by the Federación Ciclismo Galego, will seek to increase the spectacle with various obstacles on the circuit: a sand bank to allow the cyclists to see the effort they make on this surface; some boards on which to demonstrate their skill either by jumping over the bike or by dismounting to ensure greater speed, and where, as in this edition, the slogan of the European Championships in Pontevedra will be highlighted: “Where the bikes bótanse ó lombo”. Work is also being carried out to build a bridge in the vicinity of the river Lérez, allowing the grass ramp to be extended before the asphalt area and thus outlining a very attractive circuit design for all those who attend the event.
To continue with all the previous work, a delegation from the organising committee will travel to the Benidorm World Cup on 21st january. It will be the last international cyclocross event in Spain before the European Championships.
The support of the City Council of Pontevedra, host of major sporting and cultural events such as the World Triathlon Series this 2023, makes the city and the space of the Illa das Esculturas an ideal setting for us to meet the next European Cyclocross Champions next November.