It's true - cyclocross appears to be coming to the 2030 Winter Olympics, planned for the French Alps. After years of "what-if" and rumors, it appears to actually be happening. What changed, how did we get here, and what's likely to happen between now and then?
Is this a done deal?
It increasingly looks like it. Sebastian Coe, head of World Athletics (think: track and field) is on record indicating that two new sports, cyclocross and cross-country running are planned for 2030. In theory, these two new events could be held at the same venue and/or share part of the same course.
UCI president David Lappartient contributed to the French bid and may have an inside track to lobby that cyclocross be included.
If formally approved, an announcement would come in 2025.
Is this permanent?
No. Olympic hosts can request to add "favorite events" that wouldn't normally be on the program, so this might be a one-off just for 2030. So let's hope that cyclocross makes a great impression and draws a big audience, leading to inclusion in future Winter Olympics.
For what it's worth, Salt Lake City, Utah (USA) hosts in 2034. It's fun to dream of a world where cyclocross makes a splash in France and then continues in Utah.
Isn't the Winter Olympics for events that take place on snow and ice?
Historically, yes. Winter Olympic events have traditionally been only those held on snow and ice - think cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and so on.
While cyclocross can definitely be held on snow and ice, it isn't a requirement, and it's more of a rareity than the norm. But it's definitely a winter-time sport, with races peaking around Christmastime and then the World Championships a few weeks later.
The Val di Sole World Cup has been on a snow course recently, and depending on who you believe, it's either awesome or a complete gimmick. Perhaps a course that "could" have snow, depending on the weather, would satisfy the requirements.
What might this mean for current stars?
Just to give you an idea, in 2030 Mathieu van der Poel would be 35, and Wout van Aert would be 36. Eli Iserbyt would be 33. Pro cyclists tend to retire by their mid-30's.
Fan favorites like Lars van der Haar are already 33 and certain to be retired by the time of a possible cyclocross race in the 2030 Olympics; Lucinda Brand would be 41 in 2030.
So expecting current experienced stars to still be around in 2030 might be a stretch. But for young stars, it's definitely a possibility: Fem van Empel and Puck Pieterse, for example, would still be only 28 in 2030! Thomas Pidcock is another medal-capable athlete, he'd be 31 in 2030.
If cyclocross is indeed added to the 2030 Winter Olympics program, we can expect riders from the current Junior and U23 categories to be reaching their career peaks around the time of the Olympics. Think riders like Fleur Moors (currently 19) and others of that generation.