On Wednesday 8th of October in Malmedy, the UCI cyclocross team Charles Liégeois Roastery CX inaugurated the very first permanent cyclocross course in Wallonia and unveiled its new colours for the 2025–26 campaign. More than a hundred enthusiastic kids were present for this festive kickoff to the cyclocross season in Wallonia, shared with the team’s professional riders.
Led by two-time world champion Bart Wellens, the team is entering its sixth cyclocross season — and its second full winter with the Walloon coffee roaster as title sponsor. The roster includes five ambitious and promising talents: Julie Brouwers (22) and Lauren Molengraaf (20) on the women’s side, and Gerben Kuypers (25), Keije Solen (19) and Axel Van den Broek (19) on the men’s side.
Currently the only UCI cyclocross team based in Wallonia, Charles Liégeois Roastery CX carries a clear mission: to promote cyclocross in the region and support the development of Walloon talent. This commitment is brought to life through close collaboration with initiatives such as the Henri Bensberg Challenge and Wallonie Bruxelles Cycling. Young Walloon riders are regularly invited to take part in training sessions and team camps with the professionals, just like at Wednesday’s event in Malmedy.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Charles Liégeois Roastery, the riders will wear new colours for the 2025–26 season, reflecting the Belgian roaster’s updated identity. The vibrant orange kit, produced by Verge Sport and featuring a coffee cup pattern, is paired with the new Cube Cross Race C:68X bikes.
Since September, Julie Brouwers and Lauren Molengraaf have made a particularly promising start to the season, already claiming eight podiums between them in the first month of racing. Brouwers, a former Belgian U23 cyclo-cross and gravel champion, took the team’s first UCI victory of the season in Dippach (Luxembourg).
Gerben Kuypers returns to cyclocross this winter after a broken collarbone abruptly ended his momentum last season. Following his first full road season with Intermarché–Wanty — which included five WorldTour stage races — the Belgian rider has built strong endurance in preparation for a new campaign in the mud.
As a first-year U23 rider, Keije Solen put together a solid résumé last season with podium finishes in Koksijde and on the VAM Berg, as well as notable road results with Wanty–NIPPO–ReUz in the GP de Pérenchies, Province Cycling Tour, and Tour de Kumano. His teammate Axel Van den Broek will wrap up his road programme this Sunday at Paris–Tours U23 before starting his cyclocross campaign in November.
"We are very proud to begin our second winter with coffee roaster Charles Liégeois as our main sponsor. Last season, our title partner made a strong impression on the cyclocross scene with its enthusiasm, noticeable presence at events, and the warm atmosphere created by its fan club and brass band." "Julie Brouwers has made remarkable progress, and her consistency has brought her into the UCI top 15. Thanks to her excellent start to the season and her victory in Dippach, she recently climbed to 13th place. Julie still has room to grow and aims to raise the bar even higher this winter. She has already shared the podium several times in the early weeks with Lauren Molengraaf, who has also had a strong start after a tough period due to physical issues. We are confident that our 20-year-old Dutch talent can continue this momentum and steadily increase her level." "Gerben Kuypers is also on the comeback trail after two difficult winters, marked by illness and a broken collarbone. Through his extensive racing schedule with our World Team on the road, he received the opportunity to develop all the tools needed to take a step forward in cyclocross in the coming weeks. Keije Solen had a solid first season on the road with Wanty–NIPPO–ReUz and will begin his cyclocross campaign in mid-November. Given his excellent winter last year and his promising results on the road, we are confident in his potential. Together with Aike Visbeek and his trainer, we have created a tailored program to help him progress at his own pace. Among the U23 riders, he will be joined in November by Axel Van den Broek, who will use the cyclocross races to prepare for his road season."
"Supporting a cyclo-cross team is a commitment that fully reflects the human, educational, and sustainable values of Charles Liégeois Roastery. We invest in cyclocross for three key reasons. First, because it’s a sport that is close to the people — and at Charles Liégeois Roastery, the human element is central. Second, because we act with respect for the environment, and cyclocross, as a sport rooted in nature, fits perfectly with that vision. And finally, because we deeply believe in education and supporting young people. That’s why we back several cyclo-cross initiatives in Wallonia, both for youth and through the support and guidance of the professional riders in the team. Through this project, we aim to pass on our passion for quality, progress, and performance." "This partnership is also a way to enhance the visibility of our brand. Thanks to the team’s presence in major competitions — particularly in Flanders — Charles Liégeois Roastery can reach a new audience and strengthen its reputation. That’s why we’ve chosen a bold new visual identity, marked by the colour orange, in celebration of our 70th anniversary. Today, we’re especially proud to have seen our new colours shine for the first time in Malmedy, with our professional riders surrounded by more than a hundred children. It was a meaningful and powerful moment, one that perfectly illustrates what we aim to build through this partnership."
