The famous Koppenberg. They say you can make a challenging cyclo-cross on a molehill (see the Roubaix World Cup course), but the Koppenberg is in a different league. The course takes you up (and down and then up again and then down) the famous hill – loads of climbing and even when it’s not raining, it is very slippery.
It was quite demanding for us, photographers as well, it took me fifteen minutes to get from the press centre to the top of the first (the famous) climb and it was often hard to get around due to the sheer number of fans – but that gives the special atmosphere of the race.
Last, but not least, it rained! The morning was just as sunny as the previous couple of races but it became gradually overcast first, then four laps before the finish is started to pissing down. Didn’t change much in the race but at least it was proper ‘cross weather. It was a shame I left my waterproofs in the car. Beginners’ mistake.
