Kategoriearchiv: International 2017

International cyclocross season

World Championships Bieles – Day 1

Nearly fifty years have passed since the last time cyclocross world championships have been held in Luxemburg. This time a former industrial terrain nearby the french border in Bieles set the scene for the best cyclocross riders in the world to compete with each other for the treasured rainbow jerseys.

As usual the first day is for the mens juniors and both women categories (Elite and U23). As the ground was deeply frozen the days before, a difficult and icy track awaited all participants on saturday. 

A shout of relief for Sanne Cant

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One more time the women’s races were about to be the most thrilling during the whole championships. What started with the U23 race, found it’s climax in the race of the women’s elite. It was a competition which could not be more thrilling and spectacular. At the end of the day Sanne Cant managed to secure the final sprint against seven time world champion Marianne Vos. Cant could strip off all frustration of the past, where she was beaten by a  nip whilst beeing in excellent form. But this time all went well for the young women from Lille. When she raised her hands in victory at the finish line, her shout of relief might have been heareable in her hometown back in Flanders.

The race of the women under 23 years was won by dutch rider Annemarie Worst who managed to hold down Ellen Noble from the US and outriding champion Evie Richards from Great Britain.

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The juniors race was solely for British Cycling. Tom Pidcock, who was the red hot favorite for this race dominated right from the start and won at the end nearly forty second ahead of his compatriots Daniel Tullet and Ben Turner.

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Galerie

 

Koppenbergcross 2016

The flamish Ardennes set the scene for many famous bicycle races. In all of these races the world famous belgian „Helligen“, short steep climbings paired with simultaniously beloved and hated cobblestones, play a mayor role. From all of these climbs, two are really distinct. The most important one is the mythic Mur of Gerardsbergen. The winding cobblestone section leading up to that small chapel was the spot of decision in many tour of vlanders. The other important climb is the legendary Koppenberg. For the twentyfith time one of the most important cyclocross races of Belgium ist hosted on this spot, the Koppenbergcross. Like every year on the first of November, thousands of Belgian pilgrim to this hill to enjoy cyclocross.

During the last year, the Koppenberg had to be climbed round about to the middle of the hill, before the riders descended to the foot of the hill again. But to mosts riders disguise this time the finish line was located right on the top of the Koppenberg and two steep difficult sections of cobblestones were part of the track. Fortunately it stayed dry during the races, as the cobblestones become  slippery when wet and it is difficult enough to climb these roads using a street bike, but with mud covered rhinos the climb out be even worse.

But just like in the past two year, it was sunny and summerly warm. Shortly before the mens elite race, some dark rainclouds showed up, but spectators and riders were spared from rain. With all those little climbs and descends, the track was difficult enough. Worldchampion Wout van Aert found not too many good words about the renewed course. „It’s more like mountain biking than cyclocross“ so van Aert in an interview afterwards.

A complete gallery below

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Brico-Cross Geraardsbergen

When it comes to cycling the Kappelmuur in Geraardsbergen is one of the most famous places in Belgium  for sure. For a long time the two short but steep climbs have been the showstopper during the Tour of Flanders. During many years thousands of enthusiatisc cycling fans  joined in cheering up the heroes of the Ronde, but it was long ago that this place hosted a cyclocross race as well.

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