650+ Athletes Ready to Fight for European Championship Crowns

This weekend, on the banks of the Meuse River in Namur, Belgium, nearly 700 off-road triathletes will stand shoulder to shoulder as they prepare to cover the gruelling 46.5K of urban history, river currents and muddy mountain trails that will decide the 14th edition of the XTERRA European Championship. 

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The European region has long dominated the sport of cross triathlon, with an unmatched depth of strength, speed and skill that will no doubt be on full display leading many to call the race ‘the world championship outside of the World Championship’. Undoubtedly it is the most highly contested race there is in the lead up to XTERRA Worlds, and there can be no question that every athlete to cross the line ahead of any other in their division will have truly earned their title as the 2023 XTERRA European Champion. 

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It’s the first time in history that the race will be held in Belgium, having passed through Germany, Italy, Austria, England, and Denmark in the 13 editions prior. It also marks the much anticipated return to the iconic Citadel, the spiritual home of XTERRA Belgium. 

A total of 24 countries will be represented when the race begins at 14:30 local time on June 10th. Belgium leads as the most represented of all the countries with 242 athletes, but only just as France, the home of both current XTERRA World Champions, follows closely with 240. The Netherlands and Germany will also be well represented with 55 and 41 athletes respectively, making way for epic individual battles to unfold and a showdown between countries looking to boast a bigger haul of European Championship crowns than any other. 

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This is unquestionably the biggest race of the season yet, and with the countdown approaching hours instead of days, nerves will already be racing. 

The return to La Citadelle de Namur is significant. It is one of the most emblematic and iconic courses in the history of XTERRA, seamlessly weaving ancient urban architecture with technical forest trails while the unmissable presence of the impenetrable Citadel Fortress sets the tone for a historic race. Winning a crown at the Citadel will be something special for any XTERRA athlete, but it will also take something special. 

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Only European athletes are in contention for a European Championship crown, but those from outside the region will be equally as motivated to lead their division. But no matter where any athlete is from, they’ll still need to get past the exact same 46.5K of river and trail that stands in their way.

The race begins with a 1.5K river swim in the River Meuse where currents will no doubt be a factor. Very few athletes will have had the opportunity to train in real river conditions and even the hometown athletes will not have an advantage as the Meuse is closed for any form of swimming outside of the XTERRA race week. But those with the power to go full speed upstream will gain critical minutes in the opening section of the race.

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Moving the muscular burn from the arms to the legs, the 2-loop 35K bike course starts with a brutal climb up past the Citadel and into the forest trails that lie just beyond the city limits. This is a section that can be defined by weather, as a wet course could significantly change the game, but wet or dry, it’ll be skill and bravery in the technical sections that closes gaps and increases leads as riders make their way to the final descent down the stairs in front of a raucous crowd to begin the foot race. 

Having conquered the river and the ride, athletes will need to get through the final 10K on foot to the finish. The crowds will be heard long before the arch appears, and many battles will undoubtedly come down to the final metre. Only here does the battle end the reign of a new set of champions begin.

From the elites right down through the age groups, the start list of the XTERRA European Championship has always been a formidable one. This year, all 5 of the top ranked men and women will go head to head in the elite race, and it doesn’t get any easier in the age group divisions. 

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Those in the 20-24 division will need to get past Pierre Simeon (FRA), the 3rd overall amateur at XTERRA Belgium last year and Ben Vyvey (BEL) who came in as the fastest local racer in the same race. Andries Verheyden (BEL) claimed the 3rd fastest local time in Belgium last year and returns again this year to make things difficult for men in the 25-29 division, while Romane Cizeron (30-34) comes in fresh off a runner-up performance at XTERRA Costa Brava last week.

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Men in the 30-35 division will need to contend against Arnaud Taurelle (FRA), the reigning 35-39 XTERRA World Champion and second overall amateur at the 2022 XTERRA World Championship. It’s a challenge Sebastian Kuefner from Germany will no doubt accept.

In the men’s 40-44 division watch out for Sylvain Denis, a local legend who was third amateur overall at XTERRA Belgium in 2019. The 45-49, 55-59 and 60-64 divisions will also have their reigning XTERRA World Champion to get past, in the form of Nicolas Durin, Carol Rasmussen, and Raymond Ferry respectively. Expect former XTERRA pro Sabrina Enaux, who is now racing in the 45-49 age group division, to use her still-elite mountain bike skills to her advantage.

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To say that the field is stacked may even be an understatement. But the course is long and nature can be cruel. The only guarantee is that the level of XTERRA racing in the region will continue to get faster, tougher, and tighter. And anybody who has the right to call themselves a champion deserves every ounce of respect that they will undoubtedly receive from the community. If there is one thing that defines XTERRA it is that rivalry only exists on the course, and that outside the tape it’s nothing but love and respect. XTERRA Belgium is well known for its signature mix of race and party (if you know, you know), and opportunities after the race will be plenty to put on-course battles to bed with handshakes and hugs. 

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See 2023 XTERRA European Championship start list

Since its debut in 2016, XTERRA Belgium has consistently drawn one of the biggest crowds on the circuit and those in attendance this weekend will be in for a treat as the XTERRA World Cup braces for its biggest clash yet. It’s a double-feature stop with the full distance race on Saturday and the Short Track race on Sunday, and both of these races can almost guarantee fireworks given everything that’s happened so far and also where we are in the series. It’s not totally crunch time, but as Stop #3 of only 7, some of the biggest names in the game will be fighting tooth and nail for the additional points that come with a regional championship. 

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Every one of the top 5 ranked athletes will be racing and every one of them will want a place on the podium. If you missed the first 2 stops, here’s just a few reasons why this will be a clash for the ages.

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Arthur Serrières is not just the XTERRA World Champion, he’s also the XTERRA European Champion and has been for the last 3 years straight. He’s not used to not coming first, but finds himself in second place in the World Cup standings. He will not give up his Euro Champs title without a fight and will be out to set the record straight on the World Cup leaderboard. Both Forissier brothers will be ready to go to war, too. Felix just proved that this is his year to shine after taking the Cross Tri World Championships and will be looking for redemption after what happened at Stop #1. Arthur, the older of the brothers, claimed Stop #1 with a masterclass win in Taiwan and will want his lead back as he re-enters the series. Ruben Ruzafa and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen will know that this is a bikers course and they’ll be ready to capitalise on that as much as possible. Ruben Ruzafa has been the first off the bike in the last 9 XTERRA World Championships straight and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen will have no intentions of giving up his leading position in the World Cup. It’s almost the perfect storm for fans of the sport.

Potentially even better than the men’s battle is the 3-way showdown expected in the women's full distance race. Anything can happen on the day, but nothing short of fireworks is expected up front between Sandra Mairhofer, Solenne Billouin, and Alizée Paties. Sandra Mairhofer has held the title of XTERRA European Champion for 2 years in a row but has failed to make an impact on the XTERRA World Cup. There are no misconceptions on her power and skill as she continues to win race after race outside of XTERRA, including the Cross Tri World Championship. The Italian will surely be arriving in Belgium fully intending to retain her title and leapfrog to the top rungs of the World Cup leaderboard. But she’ll have her work cut out for her. Current XTERRA World Champion Solenne Billouin will be fueled by redemption after not claiming any points in Oak Mountain, and World Cup leader Alizée Paties will be racing with the confidence that comes with back-to-back wins in the series. Once these three get on the bike it could be the single most entertaining battle of the series yet. 

As with all the double-feature stops on the series, before the dust even settles the top 25 will be back at it again for the Short Track race. Some racing for revenge, others racing for survival. Expect another round of fireworks here as these additional points make all the difference on a leaderboard where many are separated by less than 5 points. 

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XTERRA World Cup Stop #3 start list and race preview

Watch XTERRA Short Track race LIVE from Belgium

Live updates of the XTERRA European Championship will be posted on the XTERRA Europe Instagram page as the full distance race unfolds on Saturday. The race starts at 14:30 local time. 

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The entire XTERRA Short Track race will be broadcast live and for free on xterraplanet.com on Sunday. Coverage starts at 10:30 local time, with the women’s race at 10:40 and the men at 12:10. French commentary will also be available on the following Facebook pages: XTERRA Belgium, XTERRA France, XTERRA Nouvelle-Aquitaine, XTERRA Super Besse, XTERRA Switzerland Brévine, XTERRA Série Québec, XTERRA Tahiti, and XTERRA Balcon d'Azur.