Cyclocross Championships: why Sanne Cant will not participate this year after 15 titles in a row

It will take some getting used to for everyone: on Saturday we will not actually get a podium photo at the Cyclo-Cross Championships with Sanne Cant (34) on the highest scaffold. After 15 titles, Cant, who will soon retire, is passing on the baton. “I think it will be exciting,” she predicts.

It’s something different. There was no real BK stress for Sanne Cant this week. Cant has won the past 15 editions, but will stop in a few weeks.

“If I had won, that jersey would not have been visible in the field for a year. And I don’t want that,” she explains her absence.

“I do it out of respect for the jersey. Someone else should be able to enjoy it next season.”

Cant does not dare to say who that will be. “It’s a shame that there are cancellations like Fleur Moors and I understand that Laura Verdonschot is not completely fit.”

“I have a bit of a feeling that we will get a decapitated BK, but that is part of it. I think it will be exciting and maybe we will get a sprint.”

The retirement of the tricolor has started, but I still train in my Belgian jersey. Why? I have no other choice: I have no other clothes.

Sanne Cant

Even though she is not participating, Cant still went to take a look at the course in Zolder on Wednesday. “I was in the area anyway,” she winks.

She will be that way on Saturday too. “I can be an analyst at Sporza and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m really looking forward to it. Can it become a possible job later? I’ll first see if I like it and whether people like it.”

Cant could certainly look forward to the coming weekend in a relaxed manner. “Normally you now have a stressful week trying to rest and train correctly. Now that is not the case.”

“The retirement of the tricolor has started, but I still train in my Belgian jersey. Why? I have no other choice: I have no other clothes,” she laughs.

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Cant waves goodbye after the Closing Prize of Oostmalle. “I am now extremely enjoying my last crosses,” she shares.

“I think the audience does that too. It’s like I’m riding around like a superstar on every course. It’s nice that people sympathize so much.”

Cant’s fans will therefore have to look for a new scrunchie. Is her successor ready? Cant finds it difficult to make a statement about it.

“Fleur Moors is a talent, but she leans towards the road. Riders are getting that opportunity more and more, because cross and road teams are joining forces.”

“You get better as a rider from road races, but your cross program also becomes more limited. In that respect it will be difficult to match my record, I think.”

With her knowledge and experience, Cant will certainly remain stuck in the mud. “I hope to contribute and pass on my knowledge to the youth.”

Is she thinking about a role as a trainer or team leader? “Not immediately as a team leader, but as a trainer.”

“I have had more intensive contact with Puck Pieterse in recent weeks. We often explore together and I have the feeling that I can still give things to such a top rider.”

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It is a difficult question for a 15-time Belgian champion: which title stands out? Cant decides and ends up at Meulebeke 2021.

“I beat Lotte Kopecky and that was perhaps the best. It was very exciting for a long time. Lotte was stuck at 10 to 15 seconds.”

“One mistake on my part was enough to let her return, but that didn’t happen. If you look at what Lotte achieved after that, it’s nice that I was able to beat her in the cross.”