I love French cyclocross fans. At one point at the beginning of the elite men’s race, when the crowd was thickest, a man pushed down a section of fencing, and a woman held my arm while I struggled on the slippery mud to enter a photo zone. After a gesture like that, it’s hard not to think of all the times, in a certain other country, when my attempts to get inside the barriers were met with icy glares or even a sharp elbow.
I credit the influence of mountain bike culture for the size, enthusiasm and friendliness of the crowd that turned out for the World Cup round in Besançon. There were chainsaws, flares, and lots of chants, but there was also an overall chill vibe. Here’s hoping lots of these folks will make the trek to Liévin in a month.
Great pics as always! Also on the second one with the flags, worth noting our women’s national champ (and jersey) in the shot betwixt flags and finishing 16th for another USA top 20.
Great pics as always! Also on the second one with the flags, worth noting our women’s national champ (and jersey) in the shot betwixt flags and finishing 16th for another USA top 20.