It’s tough to describe any edition of Zonhoven without resorting to cliches. Or without repeating things, I am sure I have said before. So, I don’t think I will even try. If you’re planning a trip to Europe and can only see one race, it should be Zonhoven. The venue, the crowd, the atmosphere. It’s all great. And whatever type of weather you enjoy, if you come out for the whole day, you will probably get to experience it. With the exception of warm. But everything else is possible, sometimes all at once.
The crowd in De Kuil. © Ethan Glading 2024 Zoe Backstedt had a great ride, off the front early, and nearly pulled out the win. © Ethan Glading 2024 U23 European champ and new FDJ-Suez signing Célia Gery. © Ethan Glading 2024 Eva Lechner plunges into the sand under the watchful eye of Mr. Prik&Tik. © Ethan Glading 2024 Blanka Vas on the sand run-up. © Ethan Glading 2024 Hélène Clauzel crashed hard in the sand, but after some scary moments, she remounted and finished the race. © Ethan Glading 2024 Lucinda Brand gets some encouragement on a sandy descent. © Ethan Glading 2024 Ceylin Alvarado catches Brand. © Ethan Glading 2024 Alvarado worked her way through traffic and hunted down Backstedt to take the win in Zonhoven. © Ethan Glading 2024 Anna Kay and Katie Clouse catch up after the finish. © Ethan Glading 2024 Caroline Mani. The look says it all. © Ethan Glading 2024 The back of the field dropping into De Kuil on lap one. © Ethan Glading 2024 The field on the first climb out of De Kuil. © Ethan Glading 2024 The field finding the rut on the second sandy descent. © Ethan Glading 2024 The chicane at the bottom of the first sandy descent. © Ethan Glading 2024 Michael Vanthourenhout kicks up sand as he drops into De Kuil. © Ethan Glading 2024 Mathieu van der Poel never looked uncomfortable. © Ethan Glading 2024 Pan Am champ Eric Brunner had a rough ride, finishing 42nd. © Ethan Glading 2024 Lars van der Haar on a run-up. © Ethan Glading 2024 Scott Funston was top American in 28th. © Ethan Glading 2024 MVDP inspiring a new generation. © Ethan Glading 2024
The Caroline Mani pic was priceless and would be a great photo caption competition shot. My guess “ remind me again why I signed up for this?”