Soudal Classics – Niel

I don’t like negative attitude in general, whining doesn’t further things most of the time. But I have to admit that I don’t particularly like the race in Niel. The course is uninspiring, not particularly technical, there are no technical descents, no crazy climbs, nothing, really.

That might have been the reason that I have found the race quite challenging, I’m not particularly happy with any of the photos. [/one_half][one_half_last]On the other hand, I witnessed today a few really great rides. First off, Nikki Harris dominated the women’s race and clinched her third victory of the season. Though the elite men’s race had the usual suspects on the podium, Bart Aernouts’ second place was a nice surprise, Bart Wellens missed the podium by 8 seconds and Francis Mourey seemed to be on form, too.

The lack of internet access for the Mac-owner part of the press crowd didn’t help me to like the race so I’m off now, tomorrow is another day, another race.

Pavla Havlikova in the first lap of the Soudal Classics cyclocross race in Niel, Belgium.

The quote of the day (by Joyce Vanderbeken, addressing Nikki Harris before the start): "Please, don't go too fast after the start"
The quote of the day (by Joyce Vanderbeken, addressing Nikki Harris before the start): “Please, don’t go too fast after the start”

Another great ride from Nikki Harris, her third win this season
The top riders started the mid-pack. While people always talk about the importance of a good start, if you are Sven Nys or Niels Albert, you don't need a good start, apparently.
The top riders started the mid-pack. While people always talk about the importance of a good start, if you are Sven Nys or Niels Albert, you don’t need a good start, apparently.
I haven't seen Arnaud Jouffroy a lot this year. Today, however, he did well and finished 11th.
I haven’t seen Arnaud Jouffroy a lot this year. Today, however, he did well and finished 11th.
One of the nice surprises of the race Bart Wellens' great ride. I was lucky enough to catch small glitch of his. I was sitting in a ditch when I caught him weering off the narrow path.One of the nice surprises of the race Bart Wellens' great ride. I was lucky enough to catch small glitch of his. I was sitting in a ditch when I caught him weering off the narrow path.
One of the nice surprises of the race Bart Wellens’ great ride. I was lucky enough to catch small glitch of his. I was sitting in a ditch when I caught him weering off the narrow path.
He lost balance for a second and started skidding towards the ditch.
He lost balance for a second and started skidding towards the ditch.
Still not looking good, Wellens couldn't decide whether to get off the bike or try to roll it out.
Still not looking good, Wellens couldn’t decide whether to get off the bike or try to roll it out.
Sven Nys led the race for a few laps.
Sven Nys led the race for a few laps.
Nys couldn't get rid of Niels Albert, who was lurking behind the leaders for the majority of the race.
Nys couldn’t get rid of Niels Albert, who was lurking behind the leaders for the majority of the race.
The token exotic rider, this time Taknouchi Yu from Japan.
The token exotic rider, this time Taknouchi Yu from Japan.
Haven't done today much with the flashes, this is the only, slightly interesting photo with both flashes firing.
Haven’t done today much with the flashes, this is the only, slightly interesting photo with both flashes firing.

Francis Mourey
Francis Mourey
Bart Aernouts showed impressive form today. Most races see him and a few other riders dominate the first two or three laps, only to fade away mid-race. Not this time, though. Aernouts was waiting patiently for his turn and with three laps to go, he got on the front. It seemed for quite some time that he could finally break the Nys-Albert rule but then he had to settle for second.
Bart Aernouts showed impressive form today. Most races see him and a few other riders dominate the first two or three laps, only to fade away mid-race. Not this time, though. Aernouts was waiting patiently for his turn and with three laps to go, he got on the front. It seemed for quite some time that he could finally break the Nys-Albert rule but then he had to settle for second.

A couple of months ago I saw a great photo that inspired me. the photo was shot from roughly this angle and the winner of the race was rim-lit by a flash (on someone else's camera) in front of the rider. I tried to replicate that photo as an excercise - but I couldn't. For starters, the batteries in the front flash were about to die, so it wasn't powerful enough and thus the rear flash wastly overpowered it.
A couple of months ago I saw a great photo that inspired me. the photo was shot from roughly this angle and the winner of the race was rim-lit by a flash (on someone else’s camera) in front of the rider. I tried to replicate that photo as an excercise – but I couldn’t. For starters, the batteries in the front flash were about to die, so it wasn’t powerful enough and thus the rear flash wastly overpowered it.
Fifty years of cross in Niel.
Fifty years of cross in Niel.

The local fire brigade on jenever duty
The local fire brigade on jenever duty
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Probably the best cx photography on the web