Bpost Trofee #1 – Ronse
When I set out to do cover another cyclocross season, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to find new angles from last season and I would end up taking the same shots. I did ok at Ruddervoorde and I managed to avoid repeating myself today as well.
Courses differ, of course, but there are so many angles, that there are plenty more years before I start repeating myself – or at least that’s what I hope.
The weather was sunny once again and even though it had been raining all week, the course wasn’t too muddy. There was one s-bend combination that ended in a steep, off-camber corner, that was probably the most challenging part of the course.
There were quite a few crashes during the juniors’ race so I suspected that there would be more to come. I was right, there were quite a few crashes during the U23 race but the most spectacular one happened in the first lap of the elite men’s race.
Klaas Vantornout, as always, was leading the race in the first lap when they arrived at the aforementioned corner. Vantornout arrived at formidable speed… and then overcooked it and slammed straight into the big, crash cushions. Partly because of his good reflexes and probably because of his height, he almost seemed to just have leapt through them and landed on his feed – it looked much worse than it actually turned out and he carried on riding unscathed.
There was a bit of a controversy at the start, the red light lasted surprisingly long and a few riders jumped it while others stayed put. Sven Nys was one of those riders who got stuck at the start and he was only 20th after the first lap. The fact that he finished 3rd nonetheless shows that he was probably the strongest rider, again.
While the day was sunny, on the way back to Calais it rained almost constantly. But that wasn’t the problem: the car in front of me belonged to Redditch Reptiles. If you know me personally, you are probably aware of the fact that I am afraid of snakes, so it felt very weird when they opened the boot of their car and started playing with the snakes! I felt really, really uncomfortable.
The next race in the calendar is the first World Cup in Tabor, so no driving next weekend, yay!
The next generation
A junior rider’s crash made me realise that I should keep an eye on this spot to catch more crashes.
Current World Champion Mathieu van der Poel started the race slowly, but that didn’t last long and he won the race with ’59 ahead second placed rider Quinten Hermans.
The best riders are not only fast on the ascents but they can descend fast and safe. Here, Van der Poel shows it should be done.
The muddy leg of a junior rider after the first round of the Bpost Trofee cyclocross race in Ronse, Belgium.
Karel Hink’s crash. I told you it was a good spot.
Poor Wietse Bosmans’ bad streak continued today – he only finished 12th today. He had had a great year last year, even though he failed to win World Champion title, so these results are quite surprising.
Vinnie Braet powers over the crest of the hill.
Wout van Aert’s tired but happy face, after finishing second.
Vinnie Braet’s girlfriend helps him to get the tracksuit bottom on.
Wietse Bosmans in crisis, with no-one around him.
Podium girls
The Kiwi rider, Alex Revell gathered a massive following in no time. His signature facial hair inspired people to glue fake ‘taches on their faces. It’s like the Belgian version of Wiggo’s sideburns mania all over again.
It’s three o’clock, the elite men are off
The mud wasn’t a problem this week either, however certain parts of the course were positively slippery.
Klaas Vantornout’s crash
Aurelien Duval tries to push back into its original position the dislocated shift lever on his bike.
Niels Albert was the man to beat today.
Tom Meeusen swaps hand postiions
My friend, Dirk didn’t spare any energy to cheer on his favourite rider, Kevin Pauwels.
After the problematic start, Sven Nys started the second lap in the 20th position and it took him a while to catch up with the Albert/Pauwels duo in the front.
A young Tom Meeusen supporter
Niels Albert was in top form again and only Kevin Pauwels was able to ride with him on the front.
Pauwels is clearly getting better, today he finished second, maybe he will repeat his win from last year at Tabor next week?
The ultimate cycling fan
The usual suspects on the podium again: Pauwels, Albert and Nys
1 Comment
Sandrine
15/10/12Fantastic shots, Balint! The Vantournout’s crash animgif… Tommeke’s see-my-hands-off-CX-style, what an expression on his face, he’s one of my fave CX athletes….. and Sven Nys!! From 20th to 3rd place. Abominable, nothing but respect for my hero.