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

'Maybe it's not a bad idea to skip one winter' - Mathieu van der Poel mulls his future in cyclo-cross after record breaking world title in Hulst
By Ben Goddard last updated
News Dutchman takes a cautious approach in securing eighth victory in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships

'I saved it for the last lap' - Tibor Del Grosso put pressure on Thibau Nys across final hill to secure silver in first elite appearance at Cyclo-cross World Championships
By Ben Goddard published
News 'I think it proves that I belong in the top of the sport' two-time U23 'cross world champion confirmed

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Mathieu van der Poel demonstrates brilliance with record win in elite men's race in Hulst
By Ben Goddard published
Results Tibor Del Grosso earns silver with move on final lap ahead of Thibau Nys, who takes bronze

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Leonie Bentveld scores another Dutch win in the under-23 women's race
By Ben Goddard published
Results A solo victory for Bentveld ahead of Viktória Chladonová and Célia Gery

'Mad at myself' for crashing in elite women's Cyclo-cross Worlds race, Brand stays calm to hold off Dutch rival for second title
By Ben Goddard published
News World Cup leader finds strength this winter after personal tragedy, 'I'm not really distraught from the things that happen around me'

Thibau Nys departs team hotel to avoid sickness that caused four Belgian teammates to withdraw from Cyclo-cross World Championships on Saturday
By Ben Goddard published
News Kay De Bruyckere misses U23 men's race in Hulst as Belgian rider at hospital with severe illness

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Lucinda Brand soloes to second career elite women's title on slippery Hulst course
By Ben Goddard published
Results Dutch podium sweep places Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in second and Puck Pieterse in third

Cyclo-cross World Championships: Aaron Dockx scores under-23 men's gold for Belgium
By Ben Goddard published
Results 22-year-old beats France's Aubin Sparfel and Dutch racer Keije Solen

A dream comeback: Shirin van Anrooij shines at home Cyclo-cross World Championships opener after last year's iliac artery nightmare
By Ben Goddard published
News 'I hope I'll have these legs again tomorrow' says the 23-year-old as the battle for another rainbow jersey continues with the elite women's race in Hulst

Mathieu van der Poel chases records at Cyclo-cross World Championships whilst the women's race remains open – Analysing the elite contenders
By Ben Goddard published
Contenders Who can try to challenge the imperious Van der Poel in the men's race? And can Brand return from a setback to continue her winning form, or will someone else take the women's title?

'It was my own fault' - Thibau Nys expresses frustration and disappointment after a tactical mistake costs him a podium spot at cyclo-cross World Cup in Hoogerheide
By Ben Goddard published
News 'The disappointment is great, there's not much more to say' says Belgian Champion after finishing fourth behind Apecin-Premier Tech podium sweep

'I didn't feel so good during the race, so it was a big surprise' – Rising Czech CX star Kristyna Zemanová lands 'dream' result with second at Hoogerheide World Cup
By Ben Goddard published
23-year-old says 'Anything is possible' ahead of elite World Championships debut next week

'It is simple, he is the very best cyclo-cross rider ever' – Sven Nys heaps praise on Mathieu van der Poel as he matches decade-old record with 50th World Cup win
By Ben Goddard published
News Dutchman has chance to hold outright record if he wins Sunday's World Cup in Hoogerheide

Joran Wyseure taken to hospital after start-line crash at Cyclo-cross World Cup in Maasmechelen, Worlds participation a question mark
By Ben Goddard published
News Crelan-Corendon team have not yet released a medical update

'No reason to panic' - Lucinda Brand's remarkable 63 consecutive podium streak comes to an end in Maasmechelen giving rivals unexpected confidence boost ahead of cyclo-cross Worlds
By Ben Goddard published
News 'Lucinda has had a tough week of training with a view to the World Championships, and as a result, she is a bit less fresh' says Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions manager Sven Nys

'I was absolutely on the limit' - Felipe Orts celebrates a top performance at Benidorm on home soil
By Ben Goddard published
News Eight-time National Champion takes first podium finish in over a year

'Maybe the hardest race of the year' - Amandine Fouquenet handles unusual heat at Benidorm World Cup to finish third
By Ben Goddard published
News Quest continues for first World Cup win for former French National Champion

'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
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