Development Mathieu Kockelmann crowned Luxembourg U23 cyclocross champion

In Luxembourg, the U23 and elite categories raced together, setting the stage for an intense competition right from the start. "Fortunately, I had a strong start," Kockelmann reflects. "One of the elite riders attacked early, and I was able to follow him. It turned into a real power race, but I kept pushing hard. Everything worked out for me today: on the easier sections, I could recover a bit, and I held my own on the technical parts as well. My legs felt great, my mindset was strong, and I had no mechanical issues. Everything went smoothly. My lead grew lap after lap, and that allowed me to take the title. I’m thrilled. The last time I won a cyclocross championship was as a junior, and I wasn’t entirely confident this time. But I believed in myself and relied on my strengths—and it paid off."

Mathieu Kockelmann, who joined Lotto Cycling Team this season, is now the second rider to secure a national title for the team. On Saturday, Sterre Vervloet was crowned Belgium’s U23 champion in the women’s category.

Picture: PhotoNews