WINTER SPORTS WORLD: Could cyclo-cross check all boxes for inclusion in the Olympic Winter Games?

Belgian cycling star Wout Van Aert conquered a snowy, high-elevation, seven-lap, three-kilometer course, demonstrating power and technique, while carrying his bike at sections, to outdistance his nearest challenger, countryman Michael Vanthourenhout, by 49 seconds. Van Aert adroitly navigated the 21-kilometer, snow-covered track, as the only rider to break the one-hour barrier, crossing the line in 59 minutes, and twenty-seven seconds.

Van Aert, an Olympic silver medalist in the Tokyo 2020 road race, raved about the new International Cycling Federation (UCI) World Cup event with its winter twist, which was contested this past Sunday on the snow-covered, mountainous terrain, of the Val di Sole alpine and Nordic ski resort in the Trentino region of Northern Italy.

Showcasing snow cyclo-cross to Winter Olympic organizers, the snow-packed course in the Italian Alps looked elegant dressed in white and provided drama throughout the two races with a host of crashes and mechanical problems sustained by riders. The sport quickly became a reality with some of the world’s best riders embracing the novelty with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Van Aert led the charge once again.

“Today we made cyclo-cross history - I absolutely wanted to be at the start, plus I love competing in Italy, the atmosphere, the enthusiasm of the public, and even today I was not disappointed,” Van Aert said after his convincing victory.

“When I started cycle-cross, the World Cup was only held in the Netherlands and Belgium - today we are in Italy, experimenting with new scenarios, and I think it is positive. Maybe some Italian kids will have fallen in love with the cross today, and they will be part of tomorrow’s champions.”

Despite the sub-zero temperatures in Vermiglio, the athletes were warmed by a host of fans, enthusiasts, and onlookers, who came from across Northern Italy and beyond. The energy and enthusiasm of an estimated 4,000 spectators rewarded Val di Sole hopes: the experiment looks destined for a bright future.

One could certainly envision the sport as an exciting, fresh and youth-oriented addition to the Olympic Winter Games program.

Victory in the women’s race went to 19-year-old rising star Fem van Empel, who held off a late attack by her fellow Dutch competitor Marianne Vos, twice an Olympic champion and a four-time Olympian, in a thrilling conclusion that saw Vos crash after slamming a pole, approaching the finish line.

In the men’s event, 31 riders navigated the serpentine mountain course, while in the women’s race there were 30 competitors in the field. Eleven countries were represented.

Although it might be construed as premature ramblings, organizers, officials and riders are already suggesting the event be considered for inclusion on the Olympic Winter Games program. Considering Italy’s long and storied tradition in road cycling – we’re talking national heroes Bartali and Coppi – and now considering that the inaugural, officially sanctioned, winter edition, snow-infused World Cup event was staged in Northern Italy’s Vermiglio Valley, why not for Milano-Cortina 2026? Ok, perhaps we’re shifting up a gear a bit too fast, but it is fun to imagine.

Cordiano Dagnoni, the president of the Italian Cycling Federation, shared his impressions of the new event, while touching upon its Olympic potential.

“The first time of cyclo-cross on snow was a challenge won by Val di Sole and Trentino – we hope it will be a good omen for the future of the discipline and for its inclusion in the Olympic program,” Dagnoni said.

Tomas Van Den Spiegel, the CEO of the Flanders Classics and one of the event organizers, also talked about Olympic dreams.

“Today we can talk about a great success, we had two great races and a lot of enthusiastic people,” said the Belgian sports organizer. “With Val di Sole and UCI we have created an event that will remain in the history and memory of all. I believe that Cyclo-cross has taken a step towards the Olympics today, and I hope we can continue to work together to pursue this goal.”

Could the UCI warm itself in the company of the seven longstanding winter international federations that have more or less monopolized the Winter Games for decades?

Convincing the IOC

Milano-Cortina 2026 successfully gained the IOC’s approval, as a Games-specific inclusion, for five, new ski mountaineering events, approved by the IOC Executive Board in June 2021.

Ski mountaineering made the cut for 2026 based upon select IOC criteria, which upon first glance appears that cyclo-cross could also check off.

According to the IOC and its Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, the process for inclusion of new events for specific versions of the Games represents an opportunity for the OCOG to enhance and strengthen its overall Games concept by proposing one or more sports that reflect its vision and allow for further engagement with local communities through spectacular sports that are culturally relevant for the host country and beyond.

If supported and put forward by Milano-Cortina 2026, cyclo-cross, it would seem, like ski mountaineering, could also meet this criteria.

More specifically, the IOC noted the following attributes relating to the acceptance of ski mountaineering: a venue sharing model with no additional or stand-alone venue for ski mountaineering.

Cyclo-cross certainly could be contested at the 2026 Nordic skiing venue of Val di Fiemme, or considering that it only entails a three-kilometer loop, albeit over challenging terrain, perhaps other venues would be suitable also.

The IOC also noted: ski mountaineering is a fast-growing winter sport among amateur/weekend practitioners. Well, mountain biking with fat tires on snow, for sure, as well.

They also pointed out that ski mountaineering is a particularly popular sport in Italy and the country is one of the world’s leading nations in the sport. While Dutch and Belgian riders were on top of the final standings in Val di Sole, mountain biking on snow still has tremendous growth potential in Italy and it would seem that the hills and slopes of the Dolomites and Italian Alps are an ideal setting to elevate the sport to the next level both competitively and recreationally.

Undoubtedly, the cyclo-cross riders and Val di Sole organizers delivered a compelling show, led by stars of the sport and Summer Olympians, drama unfolding around nearly every bend, in a picturesque, wintery, alpine setting. What more could you ask for?

Perhaps Milano-Cortina 2026 organizers will firmly grab the handle bars, with gloves of course, put their heads down and charge forward to compel the IOC, in what could be a thrilling, entertaining and perhaps even rewarding ride, to a finish line in February 2026.

Follow Brian on Twitter - @Brian_Pinelli