Stijn Bastens
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Stijn Bastens
@stijnbastens.be
450 followers 400 following 140 posts
Freelance cycling photographer
📸🚴🏾🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️📷🇧🇪

🥈 The Best of Cycling 2025 - International Photo Contest
🥈 Mark Gunter Photo Awards 2022

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Eight. Times. World Champion.

It means at least eight years without serious injury
At least eight years without illness
At least eight years training like a maniac
At least eight years being the best
The very best

Read the full story on my Instagram:

www.instagram.com/p/DUQ1tW_DG3...

#HULST2026
Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) claims a historic eighth world title, setting an all-time record 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech), Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) and Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) on one of the steep ascents of the Hulst city walls during the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite, set in the historic fortified center of Hulst 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite through the historic heart of the fortified city Hulst, by the Windmill 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) dives into one of the steep descents on his way to an eighth world title 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens
February 2, 2026 at 7:54 PM
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Number 8

#HULST2026

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Eight-time world champion and unrivaled record holder Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) is awarded a special distinction by His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, alongside UCI President David Lappartient 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Men Elite - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens
February 1, 2026 at 7:22 PM
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Day 1 of the UCI cyclo-cross World Championchips: the Team Relay. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever become a fan of this concept (and I’m not alone…). Feel free to share your counterarguments.
The Netherlands took the win, followed by Italy and Belgium.

#HULST2026

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Podium of the UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay, with The Netherlands in first, Italy in second and Belgium in third Team The Netherlands: Guus van den Eijnden (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech Development Team), Delano Heeren (NED/), Isis Versluis (NED/), Leonie Bentveld (NED/Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team), Shirin van Anrooij (NED/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) and Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) Team Italy: Filippo Grigolini (ITA/), Stefano Viezzi (ITA/Alpecin-Premier Tech Development Team), Sara Casasola (ITA/Crelan-Corendon), Elisa Ferri (ITA/), Giorgia Pellizotti (ITA/) and Team Belgium: Fleur Moors (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions), Kay De Bruyckere (BEL/Pauwels Sauzen - Altez Industriebouw Cycling Team), Julie Brouwers (BEL/Charles Liegeois Roastery CX), Jari Van Lee (BEL/), Zita Peeters (BEL/) and Niels Vandeputte (BEL/Alpecin-Premier Tech Development Team) 2026 UCI cyclo-cross World Championships Team Relay - Hulst / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 30, 2026 at 5:22 PM
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GP Adrie van der Poel - Another clean sweep for the Alpecin-Premier Tech boys

UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Hoogerheide

Check it out in Instagram:
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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech), chased by the TV production drone, wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Hoogerheide UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Hoogerheide / The Netherlands Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 25, 2026 at 6:50 PM
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Milestone day yesterday in Maasmechelen. MVDP’s 50th World Cup victory and a strong Puck Pieterse controlled the Women’s Elite race

Pictures from the men’s race:
www.instagram.com/p/DT53vIsDAx...

Shots from the women’s race:
www.instagram.com/p/DT7L_iDjFI...
CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Maasmechelen UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Maasmechelen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Puck Pieterse (NED/Fenix - Premier Tech) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Maasmechelen UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Maasmechelen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 25, 2026 at 7:23 AM
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Some extra Be-Mine fun
Belgian Cyclo-cross Championships - Beringen

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Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) wins the Belgian Cyclo-cross Championship after a thrilling battle with Emiel Verstrynge (BEL/Crelan-Corendon) Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Emiel Verstrynge (BEL/Crelan-Corendon) Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Lander Loockx Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Toon Aerts Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 12, 2026 at 7:03 PM
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Thibau back2back!

Belgian Cyclo-cross Championships - Beringen

Check it out on Instagram:
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Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) wins the Men Elite Belgian National Championship Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) wins the Men Elite Belgian National Championship in Beringen’s Be-Mine area Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) wins the Belgian Cyclo-cross Championship after a thrilling battle with Emiel Verstrynge (BEL/Crelan-Corendon) Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions) wins the Men Elite Belgian National Championship Belgian National Championship Cyclo Cross Men Elite - Beringen / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 11, 2026 at 8:22 PM
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Zonhoven, continued - Bonus material from the sandpit

Jep; more on Instagram:
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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS CUP race in Zonhoven UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Podium of the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Man and Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Dutch national champion Puck Pieterse (NED/Fenix - Premier Tech) makes a spectacular descent through the iconic Zonhoven sandpit UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Verzekeringen - Het Poetsbureau Lions), Dutch national champion Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech), CX European Champion Toon Aerts (BEL/Charles Liegeois - Deschacht) and Emiel Verstrynge (BEL/Crelan-Corendon) diving into the legendary sand pit of Zonhoven UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 6, 2026 at 5:28 PM
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De Kuil.
A playground for cyclocross riders — and perhaps even more so for photographers.

Check it out on Instagram:
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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) dives into the legendary sand pit of Zonhoven, on his way to victory UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) was already setting the pace from the very first passage through the iconic pit of Zonhoven UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) dives into the legendary sand pit of Zonhoven, on his way to victory UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin-Premier Tech) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Zonhoven UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Zonhoven / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
January 5, 2026 at 8:41 AM
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Double Dutch 🇳🇱

About Yesterdays Telenet Superprestige Diegem

More on Insta:
www.instagram.com/p/DS6wJNfDJB...
Tibor Del Grosso wins the Telenet Superprestige Diegem Photo: Stijn Bastens Puck Pieterse and Tibor Del Grosso claim victory at the Telenet Superprestige Diegem Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 31, 2025 at 7:05 AM
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X2O Badkamers Trofee Azencross Loenhout - It was meant to be a duel, until a puncture spoiled the plan

The full story continues on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DS3EedPjJN...
CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the Azencross in Loenhout, part of the X2O Badkamers Trofee X2O Badkamers Trofee Azencross Loenhout Men Elite - Loenhout / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Dendermonde - Thibau day!

Check it out on Insta:
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Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Glowi Lions) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP round 8 in Dendermonde UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Dendermonde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 28, 2025 at 7:58 PM
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Some extra Gavere Fun.

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Stijn Bastens on Instagram: "Some extra Gavere Fun. #Cycling #Cyclingphotography #sportsphotography @contentcuration_benelux @canonemeapro @canonbelgium"
stijn_bastens on December 27, 2025: "Some extra Gavere Fun. #Cycling #Cyclingphotography #sportsphotography @contentcuration_benelux @canonemeapro @canonbelgium".
www.instagram.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
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UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Gavere - A strong Thibau, an untouchable Mathieu and Brand remains on fire.

Check it out on Insta:
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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Gavere on Boxing Day UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Gavere / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Glowi Lions) in the famous descent of Gavere UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Gavere / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Glowi Lions) applies pressure, attempting to shake off CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Gavere / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP race in Gavere on Boxing Day UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Gavere / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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Oh and by the way;

« Nondedieu Ni Zo Rap Mathieu »
“Nondedieu Ni Zo Rap Mathieu”
December 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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Already enjoying the croquettes? Here’s another Christmas gift: even more photos from the past few days.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas Day!

Check it out on Insta:
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Dutch national champion Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) after winning the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder Telenet Superprestige Heusden-Zolder Men Elite - Heusen-Zolder / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens The moment CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) drops Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Glowi Lions) X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Wout van Aert (BEL/Team Visma | Lease a Bike) crosses the beach of the Sport Vlaanderen domain in Hofstade, heading towards a second-place finish X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens World Cup leader Lucinda Brand (NED/Baloise Glowi Lions) wins the Vlaamse Duinencross, part of the UCI World Cup 2025/2026 UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Koksijde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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Christmas Eve present 🎄
Some extra frames from four unforgettable days of cyclocross.

Check it out on Insta: www.instagram.com/p/DSpN6c-DE5...
CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the Plage cross in Hofstade X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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What a fight those guys gave us! This sport remains incredibly beautiful.

Two days of rest now. Everyone, enjoy your Christmas, and see you on Friday in Gavere.

Check more photo’s on Insta: www.instagram.com/p/DSnuAp0jMk...
Dutch national champion Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder, beating Wout van Aert (BEL/Team Visma | Lease a Bike) in a breathtaking sprint Telenet Superprestige Heusden-Zolder Men Elite - Heusen-Zolder / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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About yesterday
CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck), Wout van Aert (BEL/Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Belgian national champion Thibau Nys (BEL/Baloise Glowi Lions) and the rest of the bunch over the beach of the Sport Vlaanderen domain in Hofstade X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 23, 2025 at 6:39 AM
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X2O Badkamers Trofee - Plage Cross Hofstade - What can I say… MVDP once again, a wall of noise for Wout, and Brand on fire. Oh boy, we are spoiled. See you tomorrow, Zolder time!

Check more foto’s on Instagram!

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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the Plage cross in Hofstade X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Wout van Aert (BEL/Team Visma | Lease a Bike) loudly encouraged, on his way to second place X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Lucinda Brand (NED/Baloise Glowi Lions) leads the bunch over the beach of the Sport Vlaanderen domain in Hofstade X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Women Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens British national champion Cameron Mason (GBR/Seven Racing) over the beach of the Sport Vlaanderen domain in Hofstade X2O Badkamers Trofee Hofstade Plage cross Men Elite - Hofstade / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 23, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Vlaamse Duinencross Koksijde - once again MVDP and Brand on fire 🔥

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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) wins the Vlaamse Duinencross, part of the UCI World Cup 2025/2026 UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Koksijde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens World Cup leader Lucinda Brand (NED/Baloise Glowi Lions) wins the Vlaamse Duinencross, part of the UCI World Cup 2025/2026 UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Koksijde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Dutch national champion Tibor Del Grosso (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) set the pace right from the start UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Koksijde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens CX European Champion Toon Aerts (BEL/Deschacht-Hens CX Team) in action during the Vlaamse Duinencross UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Koksijde / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM
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UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Antwerp - Scheldecross - MVDP, Brand on fire and a wall of sound for Wout

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CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) over the sands of Sint Anna Beach on his way to victory UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Antwerp / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens After suffering a puncture, Wout van Aert (BEL/Team Visma | Lease a Bike) finished 7th in his first cyclocross race of the season UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Antwerp / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens Lucinda Brand (NED/Baloise Glowi Lions) wins the Scheldecross in Antwerp, part of the UCI World Cup UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Women Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Antwerp / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens CX World Champion Mathieu van der Poel (NED/Alpecin - Deceuninck) flies through the sand on his to victory UCI CYCLO CROSS WORLD CUP Men Elite 2025/2026 (CDM) - Antwerp / Belgium Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM
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Back to Bruges: Remembering the 2023 Tour of Flanders

A morning of crowds, nerves, history — and the race that defines us.

#ThrowbackThursday

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The historic city centre of Bruges is preparing for the start of the 107th Tour of Flanders 107th Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (1.UWT) - One day race from Brugge to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 273.4km Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
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Throwback to April 2nd, 2023.
A throwback to the 107th Tour of Flanders. For the first time since 2016, the race returned to Bruges. After six years in Antwerp, the historic Bruges city centre once again had the honour of hosting the start of Flanders’ Finest

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A massive crowd has gathered to welcome the riders back to Bruges for the first time since 2016 107th Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (1.UWT) - One day race from Brugge to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 273.4km Photo: Stijn Bastens Race director Scott Sunderland (Flanders Classics) guide the peloton out of Bruges 107th Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (1.UWT) - One day race from Brugge to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 273.4km Photo: Stijn Bastens Tadej Pogacar (SLV/UAE Team Emirates) during his solo ride to victory 107th Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (1.UWT) - One day race from Brugge to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 273.4km Photo: Stijn Bastens Team Jumbo-Visma, with Wout van Aert (BEL/Jumbo-Visma), making their way among the huge crowd towards the team presentation 107th Ronde van Vlaanderen - Tour des Flandres (1.UWT) - One day race from Brugge to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 273.4km Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
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Salute to the Volunteer

On this International Volunteer Day, a big shoutout - and an even bigger thank you - to all the volunteers who make cycling possible.
You are the heartbeat of every race. 💛

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The marshal / Seingever ensures the riders’ safety 84th Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields ME (1.UWT) - One day race from Ypres to Wevelgem / Belgium - 248,8km Photo: Stijn Bastens The mobile race marshals (Mobs/Mobiele seingevers) fire up the crowd before the peloton arrives at the end of the Paddestraat cobbles 106th Ronde van Vlaanderen (1.UWT) - One day race from Antwerp to Oudenaarde / Belgium - 272,5km Photo: Stijn Bastens The signaler readies himself for duty and stands guard over the safety of the peloton 65th E3 Saxo Classic (1.UWT) - One day race from Harelbeke to Harelbeke / Belgium - 204,1km Photo: Stijn Bastens The marshal (seingever) passes the time while waiting for the peloton 77th Omloop Het Nieuwsblad ME (1.UWT) - One day race from Ghent to Ninove / Belgium - 204km Photo: Stijn Bastens
December 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM