The Belgian is praised for a successful career, boasting three World Championships and 15 Belgian titles.
Sanne Cant finished fourth in the X2O Badkamers Trophy round in Lille, concluding a remarkable season in cyclocross.
Her Crelan team surprised the 34-year-old by releasing a music video celebrating her career, featuring messages from riders like Mathieu van der Poel, Marianne Vos, Puck Pieterse, and new Belgian champion and teammate Marion Norbert Riberolle.
Over her elite cyclocross career, Cant secured 127 victories, claiming her first of 15 Belgian National Championship titles in 2010 and maintaining her dominance until this January, when Riberolle claimed the title.
Cant secured her first of 11 World Cup victories in 2014 and triumphed in three consecutive World titles from 2017 to 2019. More significantly, she leveraged her status as the leading female rider to advocate for change. Over her career, the women’s races transitioned from being scheduled in the morning before the under-23 men’s events to being held in prime time, just before the elite men’s races.
The women’s races also secured a prime time slot at the World Championships, with longer and more competitive events, accompanied by increased prize money and enhanced prestige.
Like many cyclocross riders, Cant also raced on the road, most recently with Fenix-Deceuninck. In 2023, she suffered a near-career-ending injury during Paris-Roubaix, requiring 60 stitches in her face, some just millimeters from her eye.
Teammate Laurens Sweeck hailed Cant as an inspiration for young riders, while Puck Pieterse expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks for all the beautiful moments on and off the bike.” Riberolle remarked, “I’ll do my best with this jersey that you wore for 15 years.”
The video featured two of the greatest riders in history, and undoubtedly the top cyclocross athletes of all time, Marianne Vos and Mathieu van der Poel.
“Congratulations on your incredible career,” said Van der Poel. “It’s something to be proud of, and I hope you fully enjoy life off the bike.”
Vos added her message while training, saying, “Congrats on your amazing career. It will feel odd without you in the field after so many years at the forefront of the sport. Enjoy your retirement from cycling, and all the best for what’s to come.”
