On November 7 and 8, Europe’s best cyclocross riders will compete for the European titles in Zeddam. The championship in the Achterhoek region also puts the spotlight on the region itself and on one of the greatest talents the area has produced in years. Puck Langenbarg (20) from Ruurlo has grown from a youth champion at the De Stofwolk cycling club to a regular on the TeamNL rosters.
RTC De Stofwolk in Eibergen. That’s where it all began in 2015 for 9-year-old Puck from Ruurlo. It soon became clear that she was agile and had a natural talent for cycling fast. In her very first cyclocross race, Langenbarg immediately finished fifth; a year later, she was already standing third on the podium at the Dutch National Championships in her age category.
Her list of achievements grew rapidly, and not just in cyclocross. In 2023, as a first-year junior, Langenbarg claimed the national road title. The year 2024 was even more successful: she became the Dutch champion in both cyclocross and road racing, and in Belgian Limburg, she even crowned herself European road champion.
Top Team and Even More Titles
In 2025, Langenbarg moved up to the U23 category. By then, her name was already on the radar of all the major teams. The super-talented rider from the Achterhoek region chose the then-Fenix-Deceuninck Development Team—one of the most highly regarded teams in Belgium and on the world stage—and signed a four-season contract.
Langenbarg immediately made her mark. In her first cyclocross race, the GP Sven Nys in Baal, she finished an impressive 13th among the elite women. At the Dutch National Cyclocross Championships in Oisterwijk a few weeks later, she took bronze in the U23 category. She also made the transition to road racing with ease. At the start of the summer, Langenbarg claimed the national title in Ede.
Wearing the Orange Jersey
Thanks to all these successes, Langenbarg has been a mainstay of TeamNL for years now. In the fall of 2025, at age 19, she was part of the U23 squad for the European Cyclocross Championships in Middelkerke, West Flanders, where she finished 15th. A few months later, in early 2026, she finished 18th in the U23 category at the World Championships in Hulst.
European Championships in Her Own Region
The next major championship Langenbarg has her sights set on will take place in her own region: the European Cyclocross Championships on November 7 and 8 in Zeddam. The U23 category, in which Langenbarg competes, will race on Sunday, November 8, at 1:00 p.m.
“It’s fantastic to be a part of this,” Langenbarg says enthusiastically, looking ahead. “When people talk about cyclocross, they often talk about Belgium. So it’s really cool that it’s going to take place here in the Achterhoek. I’m really looking forward to it!”
The ultimate dream is, of course, the gold medal in Zeddam. “We’ll have to wait and see if that happens—I’m training really hard and hope to ride a good race. It’s a beautiful course in a stunning area. It’s going to be a top-notch event here in the Achterhoek. I recommend everyone come check it out!” says Langenbarg, acting as the perfect ambassador for the European Championships in the Achterhoek.
Another Major Step on January 1
But whether or not she becomes European champion in Zeddam, Langenbarg is about to take another giant step forward in her cycling career. On January 1, 2027, she’ll make the move to the main squad of her team, Fenix-Premier Tech. She’ll then become a teammate of world-class riders like Ceylin Alvarado, Inge van der Heijden, and that other famous and successful Puck—Puck Pieterse.
