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 have a good chance of happening. What changed, how did we get here, and what's likely to happen between now and then?
Is this a done deal?
Not yet, but it increasingly seems to be moving in that direction. 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. While no final announcement has yet been made as of this writing, in October 2025 The Guardian reiterated previously reported rumors that cyclocross and cross-country running could be added for the 2030 Winter Olympics, and added that some traditionally indoor sports, like judo, could be switched from the Summer to the Winter games.
Who decides?
Kirsty Coventry, the relatively new President of the International Olympic Committee, heads the group that decides which sports are included in the Summer and Winter Olympics. They are charged with considering factors like popularity and appeal, global interest, popularity within the home country (a potential positive for cyclocross, since France is hosting) and gender equity, another positive for 'cross since the sport enjoys wide parity and interest with live TV coverage of both men's and women's categories.
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 definitely can be held on snow and ice, it isn't a requirement, and it's more of a rarity 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 dedicated snow course recently, and depending on who you believe, it's either awesome or a complete gimmick. It's also pretty common to see snow elements on courses in January at the tail end of each season. 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! Tom Pidcock is another medal-capable athlete, he'd be 31 in 2030, as is Thibau Nys, who would only be in his late 20's by the time the 2030 Games arrive - prime time.
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.