Sanne Cant

Sanne Cant (born 8 October 1990) is a Belgian former racing cyclist, who last competed in cyclo-cross for UCI Cyclo-cross Crelan–Corendon, and in road cycling for UCI Women's Continental Team . Cant's cousin Loes Sels is also a professional cyclist.

Cant won the World Championship cyclo cross in the elite category in 2017, 2018, 2019, and won the European Cyclo-cross Championship in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

Career Competing at youth level In her youth Cant competed in both athletics and duathlon. In 2002, she started cycling, focusing mainly on cyclocross and mountain biking. In her first year as a cyclist she immediately won the provincial championship at the age of 12. In 2003 and 2004, she repeated this feat. Also in 2004, Cant achieved her first major victory, becoming Belgian champion in the 14-year-old category. She then moved into the youth category, continuing her provincial title run, while also capturing the youth MTB title. In 2006, the expectations were high, and she won another provincial title as well as her first national title.

First professional years Her first professional year was the 2008–2009 season, riding for the Italian Guerciotti-Selle Italia team. Her first podium in a major competition came with 3rd place during the cyclo-cross from Gavere. A month later, she recorded her first victory in the race in Faè di Oderzo. From 1 January 2009, Cant signed with BKCP-Powerplus, the team of Niels Albert.

In preparation for the 2009–2010 season she rode various MTB races, again winning the Belgian championship. The subsequent cyclocross season started well for Cant. She was 4th in the Citadel Cross. Later that season, she won the Belgian cyclo-cross championship.

For the summer season of 2010 Cant decided not to be restricted to mountain bike races and focussed solely on the road. Again, she won the Belgian national cyclo-cross championships.

During the summer of 2011 Cant signed a contract with the Young Telenet-Fidea team, despite the signed contract extension Cant at BKCP-Powerplus. In September 2013 she was awarded a fine of 30,000 euros from the UCI. She rode consistently that season, with her best results being her two 2nd places in the Scheldecross and the Grapes Cross. In January 2012 she took a 3rd Belgian title as well as the bronze at the World Championships at home in Koksijde.

Breakthrough season In preparation for the 2012–2013 season Cant decided to compete in mountain biking alongside road races. This cyclocross season saw Cant's breakthrough. She started with a number of victories, she won in Kalmthout and in Zonhoven. She continued her momentum and won in Leuven, Essen and Loenhout. During the Roubaix world cup race Cant fell heavily on a muddy descent with American racer Katherine Compton. Cant was taken to the hospital, where it turned out that she had no serious injuries. On 13 January, she won her fourth consecutive Belgian championship. After the World championships Cant won several competitions such, Hoogstraten, Oostmalle and even the best in the general classification in the Bpost bank trophy.

Breakthrough confirmation

After the 2012–2013 season Cant combined road cycling with cyclo-cross. She finished 7th at the Belgian road championships and took silver for the second time at the Belgian mountain bike championships. Cant's winter began two weeks earlier than normal. She rode and won the Supercross Baden in Switzerland. Two weeks later she won the Grand Prix Neerpelt then also won in Laarne. In November she won the Fair Cross Niel, the GP Hasselt and Cyclocross Asper-Gavere. In early 2014 she again became national champion for the fifth time in a row.

Career season Her preparation for the winter of 2014–2015 contrasted to recent years. She started erratically, but in November she showcased her great form winning the Superprestiege of Zonhoven and her first European title. She went on to record her first victory in the World Cup. A week later she won the Milton Keynes round. With this win, she was the first Belgian ever to lead the World Cup. She also led the UCI Rankings. In January she extended her national title winning run.

The summer of 2015 began with Cant being selected to the national road team. Before the start of the 2015–2016 season Cant said she would contest fewer races with the aim of being fresher in the World championships. Her season started with a third place during the first World Cup round. This was followed by two victories in the Superprestige, where for the first time in its history, a final ranking overall classification for women would be decided. Her first big goal of the season was to defend the European Championship – a goal she was successful in.

In January 2017 she became world champion cyclo-cross and in October 2017 she gained her third European title. On 26 December 2017 Cant won in Heusden-Zolder her 100th victory in the cyclo-cross. On 3 February 2018 Cant won a second world championship. On 2 February 2019 she scored a hattrick by winning the world championship three years in a row.

Major results Cyclo-cross

2006–2007 1st National Junior Championships 2007–2008 1st National Junior Championships 2008–2009 1st National Junior Championships 1st Faè di Oderzo 2009–2010 1st National Championships 2010–2011 1st National Championships Gazet van Antwerpen Trofee 1st Lille 2011–2012 1st National Championships 2012–2013 1st National Championships BPost Bank Trophy 1st Essen 1st Loenhout 1st Oostmalle 1st Hoogstraten 1st Middelkerke 1st Kalmthout 1st Zonhoven 1st Leuven 2013–2014 1st National Championships BPost Bank Trophy 1st Hasselt 1st Essen 1st Lille 1st Oostmalle Soudal Classics 1st Niel 1st Neerpelt 1st Gavere–Asper 1st Kalmthout 1st Diegem 1st Baden 2014–2015 1st UEC European Championships 1st National Championships 1st Overall UCI World Cup 1st Koksijde 1st Milton Keynes 1st Lignières-en-Berry Superprestige 1st Gieten 1st Zonhoven 1st Ruddervoorde 1st Gavere 1st Hoogstraten BPost Bank Trophy 1st Hamme 1st Hasselt 1st Lille 1st Antwerpen 1st Neerpelt 1st Niel 1st Overijse 1st Sint-Niklaas 1st Otegem 1st Oostmalle 1st Eeklo 1st Maldegem 1st Heerlen

2015–2016 1st UEC European Championships 1st National Championships 1st Overall UCI World Cup 1st Koksijde 1st Heusden-Zolder 1st Lignières-en-Berry 1st Overall Superprestige 1st Gieten 1st Zonhoven 1st Ruddervoorde 1st Gavere 1st Hoogstraten 1st Middelkerke 1st Overall BPost Bank Trophy 1st Essen 1st Antwerpen 1st Loenhout 1st Baal 1st Niel 1st Hasselt 1st Maldegem 1st Eeklo 1st Oostmalle

2016–2017 1st UCI World Championships 1st National Championships 1st Overall Superprestige 1st Gieten 1st Zonhoven 1st Gavere 1st Middelkerke 1st Overall DVV Trofee 1st Hamme 1st Essen 1st Antwerpen 1st Loenhout UCI World Cup 1st Zeven Brico Cross 1st Geraardsbergen 1st Hulst 1st Ardooie 1st Hasselt 1st Mol 1st Niel 1st Oostmalle 1st Sint-Niklaas 2017–2018 1st UCI World Championships 1st UEC European Championships 1st National Championships 1st Overall UCI World Cup 1st Waterloo 1st Bogense 1st Zeven 1st Heusden-Zolder 1st Hoogerheide 1st Superprestige 1st Diegem 1st Hoogstraten 1st Middelkerke DVV Trofee 1st Hamme 1st Essen 1st Antwerpen 1st Loenhout 1st Lille Brico Cross 1st Eeklo 1st Meulebeke 1st Lebbeke 1st Otegem 2018–2019 1st UCI World Championships 1st National Championships 1st Overall Superprestige 1st Zonhoven 1st Diegem 1st Hoogstraten 1st Overall DVV Trofee 1st Niel 1st Lille Brico Cross 1st Meulebeke 1st Lokeren 1st Mol 1st Sint-Niklaas 2019–2020 1st National Championships Ethias Cross 1st Bredene 1st Sint-Niklaas 2020–2021 1st National Championships 2021–2022 1st National Championships Ethias Cross 1st Meulebeke 2022–2023 1st National Championships 2023–2024 1st National Championships Ethias Cross 1st Loenhout 2024–2025 1st Otegem

Mountain bike

2006 1st Cross-country, National Junior Championships 2007 1st Cross-country, National Junior Championships 2008 1st Cross-country, National Junior Championships 1st Tubize 1st Langdorp

Road

2018 3rd Road race, National Championships 2024 1st Schaal Sels Ladies 2nd Road race, National Championships