The proposal to add a cyclo-cross race on Christmas Day within the new winter calendar has ignited a heated debate, and one of the most critical voices has been Wellens. The double world champion, always direct in his analysis, makes no secret of his displeasure at a decision that, in his view, overlooks the more human side of the sport.
From his point of view, the calendar is already demanding enough without adding another obligation on such a significant day, and he fears that these decisions will further wear down the protagonists.
Organisers, led by Golazo, take a different stance, however. They argue that choosing Christmas Day follows “exhaustive research” and believe that, while Christmas Eve is the true moment for family intimacy, the following day can host other plans. In that sense, they think a major Christmas race could work both sportingly and for the public.
This move also means bringing forward the traditional Heusden-Zolder race, usually held on St Stephen’s Day (December 26th). For Wellens, that change highlights a worrying trend towards commercially driven decisions with little regard for riders’ welfare.
Organizers seem to be adapting to cyclocross stars’ programmes while it should be the opposite
More calendar problems
Wellens recalls that races retain a very high competitive level precisely when there are goals at stake after the Worlds. As an example, he points to this year in Middelkerke and Lille, where we saw top-quality racing because there were still real sporting incentives.
His conclusion is clear and concerning: if the weeks after the Worlds also disappear, cyclo-cross could be left with an effective season of barely four months. A scenario that, in his view, would especially harm the pure specialists. “We must keep giving true cyclo-cross riders, like Vandeputte or Michael Vanthourenhout, the chance to continue showcasing their talent.”
A warning issued from the experience of someone who has lived cyclo-cross from the inside, and which reopens the debate on where the winter calendar should be heading.