World Cup Antwerp is the beach race of the holiday season, run on the sand of Sint-Annastrand on the left bank of the Scheldt, across the river from the city centre. It grew out of the Scheldecross, first raced in 2006, and its first World Cup edition was held in December 2022. Long stretches of soft sand dominate the lap, and where it is deepest riders must choose between forcing the bike through and running, so power and sand technique count for more than climbing. Mathieu van der Poel has won the race eight times. In December 2023 his foot came out of the pedal at the start and he dropped well down the field, yet he took the lead on the third lap and beat Wout van Aert by 29 seconds. Winning on the Antwerp sand is one of the surest signs of form going into Christmas.