Besançon's women race on the Malcombe circuit in eastern France, a largely grass lap interrupted by flights of stairs, short sharp mounds and off-camber slopes that turn slippery in cold, wet weather. It is a young World Cup venue, first used in November 2021, when Lucinda Brand, then world champion, rode alone from start to finish in the mud. In January 2023 Puck Pieterse overcame mechanical problems early on and still soloed to victory. In December 2024 Fem van Empel led from start to finish on an icy day, while Marianne Vos, back in cyclocross, finished fifth. Each edition so far has had a different winner. As the only French stop of the series it breaks up the Belgian Christmas races, and its stairs and cambers favour riders who are quick on and off the bike.