The 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are the perfect opportunity to spot the future stars of this sport. In the junior category, promising young talents will battle it out to claim the prestigious rainbow jersey.
Discover the favorites of this edition, ready to make history.
Giel Lejeune (BEL)
Born on June 23, 2008. Four victories this year in major races, including two in the Superprestige and one in the World Cup in Hulst, plus a 2nd place in Dublin. These performances are all the more impressive given that the Belgian is only a first-year junior. His slightly slender build and modest stature have earned him the nickname “the little Iserbyt,” though he rides with even greater fluidity than his elder.
Théophile Vassal (FRA)
Born on January 10, 2007. Now in his second year in the category, the rider from Jura is, on paper, the strongest of the French juniors. He claimed victory in the first four rounds of the Coupe de France but faced some misfortune in the World Cups (a mechanical issue in Dublin, caught in a crash in Besançon…), despite being right in the mix with the best. An excellent technician, Théophile excels at riding over barriers on his bike.
Sören Bruyère-Joumard (FRA)
Born on January 7, 2008. A strong and well-rounded athlete trained in triathlon, he is also a capable technician, relying on power in his performances. A first-year junior, he claimed his first-ever World Cup victory in Dublin during the season’s opening round, followed by another in Besançon. He also secured wins in Troyes and Nommay in the Coupe de France. Last year, Sôren was the national champion in the U17 category.
Not to forget : Italian Mattia Agostinacchio, Belgian Arthur Van den Boer, Spaniard Benjamin Noval Suarez, or Czech Kristov Bazant.
Raffaëlle Carrier (CAN)
Born on June 5, 2007. If there were a favorite for this World Championship, it would be her: the rising star of Canadian cycling (in both cross-country and cyclo-cross). She leads the World Cup standings, having won both rounds in Hulst and Zonhoven.
Lison Desprez (FRA)
Born on August 5, 2007. In her second junior year, the rider from Mayenne has clearly taken her performance to the next level. Gaining confidence after her 2nd place in the opening round in Dublin, Lison secured four consecutive podiums in the World Cup (3rd in Hulst, 2nd in Zonhoven, 3rd in Besançon), finishing the year in second place in the overall standings. An excellent starter with a powerful engine and strong technical skills, she admits (like many others) to still finding the barrier sections intimidating.
Lise Revol (FRA)
Born on June 3, 2008. A prodigy, Lise Revol entered the junior ranks this year with a full set of titles, both on the road and in cyclo-cross. This season, she won four rounds of the Coupe de France and the World Cup round in Besançon (where the three French riders mentioned here took the top three spots). She’s a true winner, known for her strong finishes.
Jeanne Duterne (FRA)
Born on September 14, 2008. A first-year junior like Lise Revol, the rider from Remiremont is the third member of the formidable French trio, which shares the Coupe de France victories and dominated the podium at the World Cup in Besançon. Jeanne Duterne is a well-rounded athlete – she enjoys riding over barriers, is comfortable on all surfaces, but admits to still feeling “a little apprehensive about rubbing elbows” or “taking the inside line.”
Not to forget : European champion from Switzerland, Anja Grossmann, or Czech Barbara Bukovská.
