World Championships Koksijde – Day 1

It’s been quite a day, long lulls proceeded by frantic running around and the crowd was insane and today was the less popular day! The angles weren’t too diverse as all photographers herded into four designated spots, so the usual me-lying-on-the-course method wasn’t an option. that being said, I managed to take a couple of pretty good photos, so all in all I’m satisfied, taking the constraints into account.

For security reasons, during tomorrow’s elite men’s race, all level crossings will be closed and everybody will be forced to use bridges and underpasses. Just what we needed, it was pretty hard to get around already, this will make things way harder tomorrow. But it will be fun, nonetheless.

Cycling Santa - the welcome installation in the middle of Koksijde.
Cycling Santa - the welcome installation in the middle of Koksijde.
Zdenek Stybar had asked his fans to dress in pink on Sunday - and they duly obliged. And it's only Saturday!
Zdenek Stybar had asked his fans to dress in pink on Sunday - and they duly obliged. And it's only Saturday!
The Swiss corner had prepared with impressive choreographies that heavily featured singing, dancing and flag-throwing.
The Swiss corner had prepared with impressive choreographies that heavily featured singing, dancing and flag-throwing.
The insect equivalent of Sven Nys - if I'm not mistaken. Correct me if I'm wrong.
The insect equivalent of Sven Nys - if I'm not mistaken. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Photographer's pit #1 - Belgian riders stroll causally in the first lap.
Photographer's pit #1 - Belgian riders stroll causally in the first lap.

As I have mentioned on Twitter earlier today: Styby's fans really need to sort out their spelling.
As I have mentioned on Twitter earlier today: Styby's fans really need to sort out their spelling.
British rider Joseph Moses
British rider Joseph Moses
Like there are not enough unhealthy dietary temptations around the course...
Like there are not enough unhealthy dietary temptations around the course...
Lars Van Der Haar looks into the future with a firm gaze.
Lars Van Der Haar looks into the future with a firm gaze.
The race looked pretty straightforward in the first lap - Van Der Haar leads the race.
The race looked pretty straightforward in the first lap - Van Der Haar leads the race.
However, Wietse Bosmans followed Van Der Haar closely.
However, Wietse Bosmans followed Van Der Haar closely.
Bosmans led the race from the second lap and while he couldn't get rid of Van Der Haar, the two of them pulled away from the rest of the field.
Bosmans led the race from the second lap and while he couldn't get rid of Van Der Haar, the two of them pulled away from the rest of the field.
Bosmans and Van Der Haar exchanged the lead a couple of times.
Bosmans and Van Der Haar exchanged the lead a couple of times.
The two at the front just pushed and pushed and no one else seemed to have an answer to their moves
The two at the front just pushed and pushed and no one else seemed to have an answer to their moves
It wasn't Michael Vanthourenhout's day, he seemed to have cramps. He finished the race eventually, kudos!
It wasn't Michael Vanthourenhout's day, he seemed to have cramps. He finished the race eventually, kudos!
US Champion Zach McDonald had a slow start but he constantly moved further up and finished at 12th.
US Champion Zach McDonald had a slow start but he constantly moved further up and finished at 12th.
Wietse Bosmans
Wietse Bosmans
Van Der Haar and Bosmans seemed to be in a different league, so it was quite a surprise when with two laps to go, Dutch rider Michiel Van Der Heijden bridged the gap and caught up with the leading two, making things a bit harder for Bosmans.
Van Der Haar and Bosmans seemed to be in a different league, so it was quite a surprise when with two laps to go, Dutch rider Michiel Van Der Heijden bridged the gap and caught up with the leading two, making things a bit harder for Bosmans.
After losing the race to Van Der Haar, Bosmans was in tears and understandably so. He did everything he could and still wasn't enough. It must be pretty hard to come to terms with that..
After losing the race to Van Der Haar, Bosmans was in tears and understandably so. He did everything he could and still wasn't enough. It must be pretty hard to come to terms with that..
It's all in his eyes. A few journalists gave him a hard time at the post-race press conference, asking whether he made too many mistakes or wasn't trying hard enough or whether he regrets he just finished second. I think Bosmans rode really well, clearly gave it all he had. He is my hero today.
It's all in his eyes. A few journalists gave him a hard time at the post-race press conference, asking whether he made too many mistakes or wasn't trying hard enough or whether he regrets he just finished second. I think Bosmans rode really well, clearly gave it all he had. He is my hero today.
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2 comments

  1. Hey,

    Once again, congratulations with the beautiful shots. It seems you have a noise for the places to be. Every time the right man at the right place! The comments below the pictures are just as enjoyable to read. You told me (some weeks ago) it’s your aim to create a photo-book at the end of the season. Can you let me known how I can order it…

    Thanks,

    Eric De Clercq

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Probably the best cx photography on the web