Cyclo-cross is a winter sport. It is practiced from October to the end of February. This sport is gaining more and more enthusiasts worldwide. Many road cyclists and mountain bikers engage in it to prepare for the summer season, but we also have true cyclo-cross specialists who emerge.
During a cyclo-cross race, cyclists start from the starting line (8 riders per line positioned according to their level in the world ranking or other specific classifications) and then compete over a predetermined duration (from 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on the categories), determining the number of laps to be completed (a circuit of approximately 3 km). They face tight turns, steep climbs and descents, off-camber sections, sandy passages, etc. Some sections require them to dismount and run while carrying their bikes. These running sections are strategically placed to create additional challenges. Thus, the riders’ endurance is tested in short and intense race formats.
Obstacles are present in a cyclo-cross race. Cyclists may encounter:
- Stairs that they must climb while carrying their bikes,
- Planks they must jump over on the bike or on foot,
- Sections of deep sand that slow down their progress.
The ability to negotiate these obstacles efficiently and quickly is essential for achieving good results.
Today, cyclo-cross is appreciated worldwide. From the United States to Asia, cycling enthusiasts have embraced this captivating sport. It attracts cyclists of all levels, from professionals to amateurs, offering dynamic and demanding races. Technical skills, endurance, and the determination of the riders are put to the test. Every year, local, regional, national, and international events are organized.
Cyclo-cross is also a popular discipline, and each race is a unique spectacle. Experience a festive atmosphere, unparalleled proximity, and closely contested races. Cyclo-cross events attract an excited crowd, bringing together a passionate community that immerses you in a captivating sport.
Athletes like Clément Venturini, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Joshua Dubau, Léo Bisiaux, Hélène Clauzel, or Aubin Sparfel, among others, are prominent French figures in cyclo-cross. On the international level, the three “star” riders are Mathieu Van Der Poel (NED), Wout Van Aert (BEL), and Tom Pidcock (GB), along with all the Belgian and Dutch riders who are the leaders of the discipline, including Eli Iserbyt, Thibau Nys, Laurens Sweeck, and the 2023 European champion Michael Vanthourenhout, as well as Lucinda Brand, Puck Pieterse, Fem Van Empel, and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.
