Since the year 2000 The Val de Souchez venue in Liévin has hosted three French cyclocross nationals, four world cups, European Championships, and now the World Championship. Not too shabby.
Beyond cyclocross, Liévin is primarily famous as the home of a family of five who were victims of the Titanic sinking. One of whom almost certainly did not write the letter “signed” by her that was “discovered” in a bottle in Canada in 2017.
People from Liévin are known as Liévinois.
I previously thought that Liévin was historically part of the County of Flanders (between roughly 750 and 1500), but that may have been CX-related wishful thinking. The hour I just spent on Wikipedia suggests that Liévin was primarily part of the County of Artois, which was absorbed into Flanders at one point. But don’t let that affect your enjoyment of the photos below.
Lidia Cusack doing her best Max Headroom impression.
Rafaelle Carrier topped off a great season with a podium spot in Liévin.
The front of the race on the stairs.
Lise Revol. One of France’s best hopes for a medal on home soil.
Eventual second-place finisher Barbora Bukovská on the front of the race.
Zélie Lambert and Lilou Lavin Aguirre.
American Ada Watson was forced to abandon due to injury.
Alyssa Sarkisov navigating the frozen ruts.
After France’s win on Friday in the relay, Lise Revol kept the momentum going.
Henry Coote warming up. Bad luck very early on lap one ended his race.
Mechanic Chris Namba working on the endless flow of bikes that need to be cleaned.
Everyone experiences cyclocross worlds in their own way.
Stefano Viezi after a mis-step on the stairs.
Ian Ackert rides under an unofficial Hungarian flag.
Jente Michels possibly taking some inspiration from the Belgian flag. Or possibly focusing on the off-camber.
Dylan Zakrajsek. The American rider finished in 24th place.
Tibor del Grosso wants you to know who is number 1.
Early in the race the battle was Puck vs Fem… but that would change.
Puck and Fem crest the stairs
Canadian Sid McGill and Dutchwoman Manon Bakker on the off-camber.
Bisontine-American rider Caroline Mani qualified for possibly her last Worlds ride in her home country.
Amandine Fouquenet got off to a hot start and finished 10th.
American Katie Clouse rode to an excellent 13th place.
Lucinda Brand chasing hard with one to go.Fem
Fem seemed to be having a hard time taking it all in after her victory.
Great pictures! Seeing all that texture and depth in those ruts really shines a light on how challenging the course actually was. Even in high def on the stream, the course didn't look that bad. We know from the results and race dynamics that it had to be, but it just didn't LOOK hard on TV. PS "Best Max Headroom impression." Now I know how old you are! haha.
Great pictures! Seeing all that texture and depth in those ruts really shines a light on how challenging the course actually was. Even in high def on the stream, the course didn't look that bad. We know from the results and race dynamics that it had to be, but it just didn't LOOK hard on TV. PS "Best Max Headroom impression." Now I know how old you are! haha.
The anti-British (and Italian for that matter) agenda of Ethan Glading is revealed :) Check those relay results again.