Hello Earth? Cyclocross Planet calling

Cycling is a sport of passion. But if there’s one discipline where the word “passion” can sometimes seem an understatement, it’s cyclocross. After a 2020-2021 season (co)void of competitions, aficionados of the “plowed fields” are having a blast this year.

By Bruno Cavelier – Photos: Vincent Lyky

Article published in issue 148 of Cyclo Sport magazine, currently on newsstands

Do you think cyclocross was born in Belgium? Well, no. This cycling discipline originated in post-war France. Then, the first men’s cyclocross world championship was organized in France in 1950. The very popular winner of the 1947 Tour de France, Jean Robic, was its first winner. For about ten years, cyclocross remained a French specialty where André Dufraisse from Limousin, a five-time world champion, distinguished himself. It was only a little later that cyclocross became popular in other European countries, particularly Belgium, where the public loves it and has adopted this cycling specialty. Meanwhile, in France, mountain biking arrived from the USA and vampirized cyclocross at the end of the last century: calendars became poorer, fewer and fewer riders started races… But for a few years, the phenomenon has reversed. Under the impetus of the eternal early enthusiasts and also probably because fashion always tends to come full circle, cyclocross has regained its prestige. It must also be said that this specialty is mentioned during every cycling broadcast on TV, even if it’s a road race, commentators refer to it. Because today’s great champions all come from the woods; starting with Mathieu van der Poel and his eternal rival Wout van Aert, or the prodigy Tom Pidcock, but also Julian Alaphilippe, 2010 vice-world champion, then double French champion in the U23 category.

A world of enthusiasts

Television has seized on the phenomenon and now broadcasts events every weekend – compared to no televised broadcasts about ten years ago – which only reinforces the popularity of this very spectacular discipline with a short format ideal for the small screen. With the development of gravel, everyone can experience the sensation of trajectories on dirt with a bike that seems designed for the road: gravel is to cyclocross what cycle touring is to competitive road cycling. All this means that enthusiasts are now the happiest people in the world; because the harshness of cyclocross – due to the intensity of effort and often wintery weather conditions – means that you only find enthusiasts in this sport. You just have to go to national events – like the French Cup rounds which bring together specialists from 15 to 77 years old, to realize it. Eyes sparkle from the course reconnaissance periods where conversations flow freely: “how much pressure are you running? Are you racing on mud or mixed tires? Can you ride that section? Do you take the chicane wide or tight, etc.”

Try to understand such vocabulary if you are not part of this planet where you meet the same people, who, for the older ones, have known each other for years. The very same ones who pass on their passion to the younger generation and so on.

Like a big circus…

Cyclocross is raced on a closed circuit of 2 to 3 kilometers where competitors loop for a duration adapted to their age category. Everything is therefore gathered in a park, around a stadium or at the edge of a forest: podium, refreshment stand, technical zone and, above all, the marquees, trucks or motorhomes of “professional” teams, but also of over-equipped enthusiasts, most of them in vans, motorhomes or equipped with trailers; there are bikes everywhere! Because in cyclocross, each rider must have at least two bikes to be able to change during the race when the course is muddy, which is often the case. All this multicolored equipment contrasts with the grayness of the sky. This is what makes it feel like entering a big circus when you step into this almost enclosed space. Especially since as soon as the party is over, everyone busies themselves cleaning, tidying, folding, to hit the road again and better set off for new adventures the following weekend. The riders are technical virtuosos, at least the best ones. They jump planks on their bikes, seem to fly along the top of dizzying off-cambers, regain their balance with a small kick to find an ideal trajectory when their situation seems desperate…

If cyclocross is more a passion than a simple sporting practice, it’s for all this: a population made up of cycling artists, experienced technicians, cycling lovers, who crisscross the roads of France, transporting their passion and their multicolored gear, like a big circus where know-how is always ready to be shared. So, beware: in 90% of cases, if you get a taste of the phenomenon, it’s for life!

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