Joris Nieuwenhuis made the perfect start to his 2026/27 cyclocross campaign with an impressive victory at the Nacht van Woerden on Tuesday evening. Making his first appearance of the season, the Dutchman mastered the wet conditions to see off a strong field that included Niels Vandeputte, Jente Michels and Felipe Orts.
Several of the season’s early frontrunners were missing from the start line at Woerden, including Michael Vanthourenhout, who had already claimed victories at Dendermonde and Meulebeke, Ardooie winner Gerben Kuypers and Joran Wyseure. Their absence left the race wide open, with Nieuwenhuis, Niels Vandeputte, Felipe Orts and Laurens Sweeck all hoping to make their mark in the traditional midweek contest.
But Nieuwenhuis wasted little time stamping his authority on proceedings. Racing in the green and black colours of his new Heizomat-Cube team, he stormed into the lead on the opening lap, with Ryan Kamp, Vandeputte, Michels and Mees Hendrikx leading the chase.
Despite the slippery conditions and the pressure from his rivals, Nieuwenhuis immediately looked at home, setting a fierce pace and laying the foundations for a convincing victory on his return to racing.
