Warning, cx and pic heavy. You have been warned!
A friend of mine arranged for a few of us to go and see a UCI World Cup cyclo cross round on Sunday, at Koksijde, Belgium.
So having got up at some ungodly hour, we made our way to the Channel Tunnel, where we had time for coffee before departing to Calais. We did look aghast at a young couple in the terminal walking around in their pyjamas! :shock: :facepalm:
Once in Frogland, we took - I think - the N35, a big motorway, to the race, just across the border into Flanders. I was surprised how long it took, only around 40 mins, and we just followed the local tradition of just dumping the car at the side of the road, two wheels on the road, two on the grass verge.
Having got tickets on the way in, we went into the venue and had a look around some of the very sandy course. We got there in time for the Espoirs race, which was won convincingly by Tom Pidcock having started badly at around 15th place on the first lap. Here's a few photos of that race.
IMG_1568 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Local hotshot, and one of the favourites for the win,
IMG_1571 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
One of the three World Champs here today,
IMG_1572 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Steep enough?
IMG_1577 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
These lads thought so!
IMG_1579 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1581 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
The course was very spectator friendly, with out and back sections, like this one,
IMG_1584 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Race winner, with frites stand and beer tent behind him!
IMG_1592 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
And again!
IMG_1593 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
There was a definite groove in places that were favoured by the riders,
IMG_1595 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1584 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
After which, we had the women's race, both under and over 23s in this one, so a wide range of ages which seemed a bit unfair on the younger racers, some of whom looked to be in their teens!
Race leader on the first lap, on a tough, steep little climb with only one viable line, so if someone stopped in front of you, you had to get off as well!
IMG_1598 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
A local favourite I think, on just someone very popular!
IMG_1599 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
British champion, Helen Wyman,
IMG_1600 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Ahead of the world champion, Sanne Cant, cool!
IMG_1601 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Jolanda Neff I think, also racing in the mtb World Cup, and looking very good!
IMG_1605 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
One of the young British girls, whose name escapes me, sorry! :facepalm:
IMG_1606 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Some general photos now,
IMG_1610 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1612 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1614 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1619 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1626 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
After which, beer and frites were consumed, well, when in Rome - er, Flanders! - Fuelling the fire to watch the mens race.
And they're off!
IMG_1627 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Mathieu Van Der Poel leading, and was never overtaken the whole race!
IMG_1630 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1637 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
And again,
IMG_1639 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
And despite stirling work from the world champion, Wout Van Aert, who went from 2nd to fourth then eventually third!
IMG_1641 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1643 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
British champion, Ian Field
IMG_1644 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Lining up the Italian in front for an overtake!
Nice to see a Rock Lobster in the sand! Make up your own jokes!
IMG_1646 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1647 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
It wasn't all picturesque!
IMG_1661 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Weird seeing riders going over your head!
IMG_1662 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
In all, had a great day's racing to watch, good weather, not having to rush around to see a glimpse of the riders, not like the Spring Classics! And caught up with some friends, too! The sand was so hard to walk up on the climbs, goodness knows what it's like to ride it!
IMG_1597 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Will definitely be going back sometime.
Hope you liked the MANY photos!
Mike
A friend of mine arranged for a few of us to go and see a UCI World Cup cyclo cross round on Sunday, at Koksijde, Belgium.
So having got up at some ungodly hour, we made our way to the Channel Tunnel, where we had time for coffee before departing to Calais. We did look aghast at a young couple in the terminal walking around in their pyjamas! :shock: :facepalm:
Once in Frogland, we took - I think - the N35, a big motorway, to the race, just across the border into Flanders. I was surprised how long it took, only around 40 mins, and we just followed the local tradition of just dumping the car at the side of the road, two wheels on the road, two on the grass verge.
Having got tickets on the way in, we went into the venue and had a look around some of the very sandy course. We got there in time for the Espoirs race, which was won convincingly by Tom Pidcock having started badly at around 15th place on the first lap. Here's a few photos of that race.
IMG_1568 by Michael Murray, on FlickrLocal hotshot, and one of the favourites for the win,
IMG_1571 by Michael Murray, on FlickrOne of the three World Champs here today,
IMG_1572 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSteep enough?
IMG_1577 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThese lads thought so!
IMG_1579 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1581 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThe course was very spectator friendly, with out and back sections, like this one,
IMG_1584 by Michael Murray, on FlickrRace winner, with frites stand and beer tent behind him!
IMG_1592 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnd again!
IMG_1593 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThere was a definite groove in places that were favoured by the riders,
IMG_1595 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1584 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAfter which, we had the women's race, both under and over 23s in this one, so a wide range of ages which seemed a bit unfair on the younger racers, some of whom looked to be in their teens!
Race leader on the first lap, on a tough, steep little climb with only one viable line, so if someone stopped in front of you, you had to get off as well!
IMG_1598 by Michael Murray, on FlickrA local favourite I think, on just someone very popular!
IMG_1599 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBritish champion, Helen Wyman,
IMG_1600 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAhead of the world champion, Sanne Cant, cool!
IMG_1601 by Michael Murray, on FlickrJolanda Neff I think, also racing in the mtb World Cup, and looking very good!
IMG_1605 by Michael Murray, on FlickrOne of the young British girls, whose name escapes me, sorry! :facepalm:
IMG_1606 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSome general photos now,
IMG_1610 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1612 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1614 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1619 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1626 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAfter which, beer and frites were consumed, well, when in Rome - er, Flanders! - Fuelling the fire to watch the mens race.
And they're off!
IMG_1627 by Michael Murray, on FlickrMathieu Van Der Poel leading, and was never overtaken the whole race!
IMG_1630 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1637 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnd again,
IMG_1639 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnd despite stirling work from the world champion, Wout Van Aert, who went from 2nd to fourth then eventually third!
IMG_1641 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1643 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBritish champion, Ian Field
IMG_1644 by Michael Murray, on FlickrLining up the Italian in front for an overtake!
Nice to see a Rock Lobster in the sand! Make up your own jokes!
IMG_1646 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIMG_1647 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIt wasn't all picturesque!
IMG_1661 by Michael Murray, on FlickrWeird seeing riders going over your head!
IMG_1662 by Michael Murray, on FlickrIn all, had a great day's racing to watch, good weather, not having to rush around to see a glimpse of the riders, not like the Spring Classics! And caught up with some friends, too! The sand was so hard to walk up on the climbs, goodness knows what it's like to ride it!
IMG_1597 by Michael Murray, on FlickrWill definitely be going back sometime.
Hope you liked the MANY photos!
Mike
