UCI president Brian Cookson has weighed in on the debate whether cyclo-cross should become an Olympic event, stating that he is in favour of making the discipline a part of the winter games.

"I believe that cyclo-cross – which takes place during the northern hemisphere winter – would be an exciting addition to the Winter Games," Cookson said in a statement released by the UCI.

He continued: "Cyclo-cross requires endurance, explosive power and incredible bike handling skills. It would offer equal medal opportunities for men and women, the infrastructure and related costs required to install a circuit are minimal, and the principle is clear-cut: first across the line is the winner."

There are some obstacles: For many years, cyclo-cross as a sport has been centered on only a few nations, with Belgian riders making up a huge majority of the peloton, and a clear imbalance in the distribution of top-level races as well.

However, as Cookson points out, 23 countries participated in the 2014 cyclo-cross world championships, with Macedonia and Serbia competing at this level for the first time. Riders from e.g. the Netherlands and the Czech Republic frequently challenge the best Belgians in the cyclo-cross World Cup.

Increased interest

But making the discipline Olympic could increase interest for the sport in countries that aren't competitive today; and it might also stop the migration of 'cross stars to road cycling. Previous and current cyclo-cross world champions Lars Boom and Zdenek Stybar are now concentrating on the road, only riding a few cross races each year – if any at all.

Sven Nys took up mountainbiking in order to be able to participate in the Olympics (finishing 9th in the 2008 cross-country MTB race in Beijing); although this push will most likely come too late for the grand old man of 'cross, his successors would surely welcome the chance to compete in their native discipline.

Is cyclo-cross a winter sport?

The biggest problem standing between cyclo-cross and the Olympic is rule six of the Olympic Charter: It states that “only those sports which are practised on snow or ice are considered as winter sports“, and only winter sports can be held at Olympic Winter Games. Although cyclo-cross races are sometimes held in snowy or icy conditions, it is not a requirement for the sport.

Cookson acknowledges this, but says that "[IOC] president Bach has signalled his appetite for change". If the IOC re-phrases its charter, there wouldn't be much in the way of cyclo-cross becoming and Olympic discipline.