It’s been five years since a cyclocross world championship, with spectators, has been held in the Low Countries. In between we have had Worlds in Switzerland, Denmark, and the U.S. And, of course, there was the spectator-free race on the sand in Oostende. In the intervening time the legends of Mathieu and Wout have grown exponentially. So, it should be no surprise that Worlds in Hoogerheide had the atmosphere of a shaken bottle of bubbly that was just bursting to be uncorked.
And uncorked it was.
The American junior men warming up before the start. © Ethan Glading
Bronze Medalist Yordi Corsus on the off-camber. © Ethan Glading
Top American finisher Dan English on the stairs. © Ethan Glading
Dutchman Senna Remijn on the stairs. The first-year junior scored the silver medal. © Ethan Glading
A touch of wheels in the start took down AJ August but the American rode through the pain to finish 22nd out of 70 starters. © Ethan Glading
American rider Ben Stokes. © Ethan Glading
Frenchman Léo Bisaux gets the W for France. © Ethan Glading
Magnus White and David Thompson catch their breath after the finish. © Ethan Glading
Lizzy Gunsalus rode to a solid 15th place. © Ethan Glading
Bronze medalist Kristyna Zemanová of the Czech Republic. © Ethan Glading
Pre-race favorite for a podium spot, Marie Schreiber ended up in 5th place. © Ethan Glading
Madigan Munro. The American started poorly but rode herself into 11th place. © Ethan Glading
Overwhelming pre-race favorite Shirin Van Anrooij doing what everybody knew she would do. © Ethan Glading
Lars Van Der Haar takes the hole shot. WVA and MVDP are already at the front of the race. © Ethan Glading
Michael Van Den Ham proving Canadians are tough. © Ethan Glading
Sole American entry in the elite men’s field, Curtis White. © Ethan Glading
Bienvenue à Hoogerheide! © Ethan Glading
Van Der Poel leads Van Aert into the off-camber. © Ethan Glading
Team USA checking out the action. © Ethan Glading
Clement Venturini remounts at the top of the steps. © Ethan Glading
Felipe Nystrom can’t go five feet without being asked for a selfie. © Ethan Glading
Two to go and Wout is leading. Through this corner. © Ethan Glading
Lars Van Der Haar. A valiant effort but just off the podium. © Ethan Glading
Van Aert leads as the two turn onto the road for the final time. © Ethan Glading
Van Der Poel holds off Van Aert for his 5th rainbow jersey. © Ethan Glading
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Outstanding work as always Ethan. That last photo “ respect” says it all - great shot!