Mud, beer and intense racing: A photo journal of a four-day adventure
The Kermiscross was centred on the town of Ardooie and its surrounding muddy fields. Klaas Vantornout moved in to the lead on this 100m running section
The Kermiscross was centred on the town of Ardooie and its surrounding muddy fields. Klaas Vantornout moved in to the lead on this 100m running section - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
German champion Philipp Walsleben has been racing strongly so far this season - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Sven Nys, resplendent in his world champion's jersey, is always a big draw for the public - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
After two laps, the leading group were already wearing a muddy camoflage - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Jonathan Page shows off the US champion's jersey in his trademark punchy style - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Sven Nys ploughing a lonely furrow across the fields back towards town - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
West Flanders mud is notoriously challenging and very sticky - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
A combination of sand and mud in these fields played havoc with expensive equipment - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
While' Klaas Vantornout stormed away to win by 23 seconds ahead of Niels Albert, the Thursday afternoon crowd enjoyed the beer - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Niels Albert continued his fruitless chase of the leader across the fields on the final lap - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
West Flanders' finest gloop - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The knowledgable, be-wellied and well-lubricated crowd make their way back to town via more food vans - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Three-time world masters champion Mario Lammens turned out in a Sunday West Flanders League race at Zingem - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
More moustaches than the average bike race… - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Any field in Belgium can be pressed in to service as a cyclo cross course - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Even a regular local race provides a free bike wash area - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
All spectators, helpers and racers have to pay to enter, but the organisation is excellent - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Every surrounding street was packed with camper vans, showing how seriously the Belgians take their cycling - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
A combination of sand and mud in these fields played havoc with expensive equipment - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Cyclocross is enjoying massive popularity in emerging cycling countries, but in Belgium, where cycling is almost a religion, it’s a part of everyday life. We recently took a four-day trip to partake in some Masters racing, watch a few pro events and generally soak up the atmosphere.
Our three-race adventure began in the small, unassuming town of Ardooie with a Masters race in the morning, before watching the best in the business race over the same course in the afternoon. The 1km main street was closed for the start and finish, and access was limited to paying spectators, of which there were at least 5,000 – on a Thursday! But with numerous tents, vans and bars selling beer, coffee, frites and burgers, plus world class racing, everyone was happy.
Sven nys ploughing a lonely furrow across the fields back towards town: sven nys ploughing a lonely furrow across the fields back towards town - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Sven Nys plows through the mud as paying locals look on
Oh, and did we mention there was mud? Lots of liquefied, sticky, deep mud.
At the weekend there were two more West Flanders league races, each attracting an incredible number of camper vans, converted vans and all kinds of amateur team vehicles. These filled the neighbouring streets and disgorged their contents across front gardens and driveways, which was all accepted as perfectly normal by the locals.
More moustaches than the average bike race…: more moustaches than the average bike race… - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Masters fields weren't huge but they were quite fast
A typical Masters race with around 40 riders could contain two former world champions, and the main event a pair of current Belgian champions. The field sizes may not always be large, but the standard is very high.
Click through the photo gallery at above right for a visual trip inside Belgian cyclocross.
The knowledgable, be-wellied and well-lubricated crowd make their way back to town via more food vans: the knowledgable, be-wellied and well-lubricated crowd make their way back to town via more food vans - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Paying crowds come out in droves — and in rubber boots — to watch cyclocross
Robin Wilmott is a freelance writer and bike tester. He began road cycling in 1988 and, with mountain bikes in their infancy, mixed experimental off-road adventures with club time trials and road races. Cyclocross soon became a winter staple and has remained Robin's favourite form of competition. Robin has always loved the technical aspect of building and maintaining bikes, and several years working in a bike shop only amplified that. Robin was a technical writer for BikeRadar for nearly a decade, and has tested hundreds of bikes and products for the site. He has also written extensively for Cycling Plus, Velonews and Cyclingnews.
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