Ridley Racing Team's Dutch rider Joris Nieuwenhuis competes in the men elite race of the 'Plage Cross' cyclocross cycling event in Hofstade, stage 4/8 in the "X20 Badkamers Trofee" competition on December 22, 2025. (Photo by JASPER JACOBS / Belga / AFP via Getty Images) / Belgium OUT
Joris Nieuwenhuis, the current leader of the X2O Badkamers Trofee series, has temporarily halted his cyclo-cross season due to a knee injury sustained during a recent race. The 29-year-old athlete, representing Ridley Racing, faced a significant setback at the fifth round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup held in Antwerp, where he finished in 16th place, marking only his second time this season outside the top ten.
Despite a strong start to the 2025–2026 season, including victories in three races, Nieuwenhuis’ performance has been affected by this injury. Just two days after the World Cup, he managed to secure a sixth-place finish at the X2O Trofee Hofstade. However, he subsequently withdrew from both the Superprestige Heusden-Zolder and the World Cup in Gavere.
In a candid message shared on his Instagram account, Nieuwenhuis expressed his concerns: “I haven’t been feeling very fit the last few days. My DNFs are quite rare and I had hoped to keep it that way. But since my fall in Antwerp, I don’t feel the same way on the bike. My knee was hit hard, and I can still feel it with everything I do.” He emphasized the need for thorough medical checks before resuming competitive racing, stating, “After the race, we decided to get everything double checked before we start racing again. Keep you posted!”
Strong Start and Ambitious Goals
Last season was particularly challenging for Nieuwenhuis, as he faced months on the sidelines due to shingles. This year, he entered the cyclo-cross season rejuvenated after a successful run in gravel racing, where he finished as the runner-up at the Marly Grav Race in the Zuid-Limburg region. His determination was evident when he secured an early victory at Heerde in October, followed by a win at the Rapencross, the second round of the X2O Trofee held in Lokeren.
With these achievements, he ascended to the top of the X2O series leaderboard, where he aimed to secure a classification victory. The X2O Trofee is notable for its unique scoring system, where time, rather than points, determines the winner. The series features a total prize pool of €70,000, with the top competitor taking home €30,000.
As of now, Nieuwenhuis held a 24-second lead over British Champion Cameron Mason from Seven Racing and a 42-second advantage on Belgian Champion Thibau Nys of the Baloise Glowi Lions. The series is set to continue with upcoming events, including Azencross in Loenhout on December 29, 2025, and GP Sven Nys in Baal on January 1, 2026.
As fans eagerly await updates on Nieuwenhuis’ recovery, his determination to return to form highlights the resilience and competitive spirit inherent in professional athletes. The cyclo-cross community remains hopeful for his swift return to the race circuit.
