Ben Goddard
Ben raced as an amateur cyclist in the UK from a young age into the senior ranks on the road, track and in cyclocross. He has an NQJ qualification in journalism, and a sports journalism degree, and has spent over 10 years as a news and sports journalist. Ben has been covering cyclocross for media outlets, including Cyclingnews, since 2021 and has been on the ground reporting at World Championships in Zolder, Belvaux, Valkenberg, Dubendorf, and Hoogerheide. Away from cycling as a freelance sports journalist, Ben regularly reports on a range of sports including football, rugby, and snooker amongst others. However, he is happiest whilst reporting on-site at cyclocross races in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Latest articles by Ben Goddard

'I just wasn't at my best' - Wout van Aert's hopes for a cyclo-cross victory in Dendermonde dashed by lightning fast conditions
By Ben Goddard published
News World Championship organisers' hopes of tempting Van Aert fade as dry weather puts Belgian at a disadvantage

'I really felt like I was in the mix again' - Puck Pieterse finds form in fast Dendermonde cyclo-cross World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
News Dutch champion lands second place behind Lucinda Brand

Laurens Sweeck is best of the rest with second place finishes in both sand Cyclo-cross World Cups this weekend
By Ben Goddard published
News Mathieu van der Poel says that his competitors ‘always have to keep believing in’ beating him

'Super happy' Shirin van Anrooij taking steps back to the top of the sport with second place in Koksijde
By Ben Goddard published
News Her runner's up place in Koksijde is the Dutch rider's best result since returning to cyclocross from iliac artery surgery

'The sport is as hard as it always has been' - Wout van Aert's hope of a podium dashed by flat tyre in Antwerp
By Ben Goddard published
News Belgian was not able to put pressure on Mathieu van der Poel in first cyclocross matchup of the season

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado returns from sickness with a battling second place at the Antwerp World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
News After two weeks with flu the former World Champion challenged for the win on the sandy course

'It was certainly not the easiest course to open my winter' - Mathieu van der Poel overcomes early crash on cyclocross return
By Ben Goddard published
News Seven-time world champion blames lack of preparation for technical mistakes

'I hope the phone will ring' - Namur World Cup podium boosts 2026 contract search for Amandine Fouquenet
By Ben Goddard published
News French cyclocross champion without a team after the collapse of Arkéa-B&B Hotels Women

Joris Nieuwenhuis and Laurens Sweeck left frustrated as late tactics deny them World Cup victory in Sardinia
By Ben Goddard published
News ‘It was only a few seconds’, said third place Sweeck

'I'm super happy to be back' - Shirin van Anrooij on her first World Cup podium in over two years
By Ben Goddard published
News Dutchwoman finished third place in Terralba, Sardinia

'I was on my limit' - Cameron Mason forced to play catch-up after unclipping off the start line, bounces back to first World Cup podium in Flamanville
By Ben Goddard published
News 'I really didn't come here for second or third. I was ready to go all-in for the win' says British Champion

'I suffered a lot' - Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado returns to cyclocross racing after injury with a podium performance in Flamanville World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
News After a persistent knee injury kept the former World Champion out of the sport Alvarado is satisfied with her come back result

Thibau Nys sported a special helmet for his father Sven at World Cup Tábor
By Ben Goddard last updated
News Father and son marked a special 10-year anniversary

Shirin van Anrooij looking forward to a home cyclocross Worlds after riding to 16th in Tábor
By Ben Goddard published
News Injury has forced the former under-23 world champion away from the 'cross field for almost two years

'It's a cyclocross race with a bit of road in the middle' - Zoe Bäckstedt to go all-in at Paris-Roubaix
By Ben Goddard published
News British rider captures two rainbow jerseys at UCI Cyclo-cross Worlds in Liévin

'A dream' - Thibau Nys bounces back from illness with third place at Cyclo-cross Worlds behind Van der Poel and Van Aert
By Ben Goddard published
News 'I had quite a difficult two weeks, but I knew that if I could have my level then a podium was possible' says Belgian after first elite podium

Wout van Aert reunited with lost Garmin after Cyclo-cross World Championships
By Ben Goddard published
News 'It was definitely my best cyclocross race of the winter' says former world champion pleased with silver-medal performance

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Mathieu van der Poel dominates to secure seventh elite men's title
By Ben Goddard published
Results Dutch rider equals Erik De Vlaeminck on seven titles in elite men's event as Belgians Wout van Aert settles for second, Thibau Nys third in Liévin

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Zoe Bäckstedt lives up to the billing and defends women's U23 title
By Ben Goddard published
Results Marie Schreiber takes second for Luxembourg, with the Netherlands' Leonie Bentveld third in Liévin

Tibor Del Grosso aims to 'get to the top' in road and cyclocross with WorldTour step-up approaching
By Ben Goddard published
News Young Dutch star to open first senior road campaign at Paris-Nice in 2025

'Hungry for more' - Puck Pieterse ends cyclocross season with Worlds bronze, turns attention to Spring Classics
By Ben Goddard published
News 'Fem always wins this title ... three times in a row. Every time, at the right time, she is super good' Pieterse praises compatriot's success in Liévin

'Mixed feelings' for Lucinda Brand at Cyclo-cross Worlds after missing out on rainbow jersey in last lap
By Ben Goddard published
News Brand says squeeze to the fences by Van Empel 'wasn't necessary' but admits that 'the difference was made already'

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Three-in-a-row for Fem van Empel after hard-fought victory against Lucinda Brand in elite women's race
By Ben Goddard published
Results 1-2-3 for the Netherlands as Puck Pieterse secures the bronze medal in Liévin
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