The men's elite race at 2026 cyclocross European Championships became a strictly Belgian affair. Despite rival teams' efforts, the current dominant country in men's cyclocross managed to secure all three podium spots with Thibau Nys, Joran Wyseure and Niels Vandeputte.

While for Nys it's a second European title and likewise it isn't a podium debut for Wyseure, Vandeputte's story is different. The former under-23 race runner-up spent the past four seasons in pursuit of a big international medal, and now has finally proven his critics wrong.

"I think I proved today that I am in good form," the happy Vandeputte told WielerFlits shortly after the podium ceremony where he stood besides his two compatriots.

Vandeputte got off to a solid start to the season with four third places in his six starts in run-up to the European Championships, but analysts still haven't put much faith in the 26-year-old Belgian against Joris Nieuwenhuis or Felipe Orts.

"If I am to believe the press, I had a very bad start to the season, but I think it actually wasn't that bad," said Vandeputte, who secured his fifth podium of the winter in Zeddam. "I think I stood on the podium in five of my seven races. Of course, I haven't really competed for the win yet. I missed that feeling a bit."

Niels Vandeputte

"But I think it mainly has to do with the fact that I finished last year so well that it was immediately expected that I would continue that trend. If I compare my current results with those of last year, at the start of the season, I'm really not doing that badly," counters Vandeputte.

At the end of last season, Vandeputte managed to bounce back after a disappointing 27th place at World Championships to win four races at the brink of the season - although it comes with the asterisk that many top cyclocrossers have called their season after World Championships already.

Overlooked, rather than overestimated 

Fame is fleeting. And Vandeputte documents that on his own example. Even though his performances have not suddenly fallen off as compared to previous season, the context of more top riders having come back immediately pushed Vandeputte away from the spotlight - regardless of his continuous podium presence.

"I think I believed in myself more than other people did. You notice that very quickly. Even during the reconnaissance: that you’re no longer called over to do a quick interview before the race. Then I think: 'Okay, then I’ll just show with my legs that I actually deserve it.'"

"Today's race was a really big goal. I might have just lacked that top feeling over the past few weeks, but I think I have proven that I've had a pretty good preparation. I hope to be able to show this in the upcoming races, with a few more nice podium finishes and hopefully maybe a win here and there," he concludes.

Vandeputte can for now savour the success, but the cyclocross season is relentless and he'll be back in the mud next week as Belgium hosts three important races for the specialist; two rounds of Superprestige - the Jaarmarktcross on Wednesday and Aardbeiencross on Saturday - and finally a X2O Trophy Bollekescross on Sunday.