The Netherlands absolutely smoked it at the UCI Mixed Relay world championships on home soil in Hulst on Friday. Shirin van Anrooij surged ahead on the penultimate lap, overtaking Italy and Slovakia, and set up Tibor Del Grosso for a perfect finish, securing gold.
There were 13 teams of six riders—including juniors, under-23s, and elites—dping laps in a relay format. For the event, there needs to be one elite or under-23 man, one under-23 or junior man, one junior man. The same pattern goes for the women. Canada had Alexa Haviland (junior women), Nico Knoll (under-23 women), Sidney McGill (elite women), Emilien Belzile (junior men), Rhett Bates (under-23 man), and Cody Scott (elite man). The Canadians started well, sitting at fourth for some time, before eventually fading.
Team Relay Podium in Hulst! 🌈
🥇 Netherlands 🇳🇱
🥈 Italy 🇮🇹
🥉Belgium 🇧🇪#Hulst2026 pic.twitter.com/0hohN8AsXf
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) January 30, 2026
Despite some time lost by Leonie Bentveld and Isis Versluis, the Dutch depth shone. Van Anrooij’s decisive lap and Del Grosso’s steady finish, followed by Del Grosso flying around the course, ensured the Netherlands topped the podium. Italy took silver and Belgium bronze. Canada finished 8th.
The 2026 Rabobank UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are officially underway! 🌈#Hulst2026 pic.twitter.com/eLtmRYtQvz
— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) January 30, 2026
Racing resumes on Saturday. The junior women are up first, followed by the under-23 men, and finally the elite women. You can watch the action on FloBikes.com–and as always, Canadian Cycling Magazine will have results and reports.
Saturday’s races, all times in EST
5:05 a.m. – junior women
7:10 a.m. – under-23 men
9:10 a.m. – elite women
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