There is a certain beauty to cyclo-cross, as some of the world’s most accomplished riders do battle on rain-soaked, muddy courses in treacherous conditions.
And Rome, which hosted the penultimate round of this season’s UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup provided just such scenes as the rain and wind battered the Italian capital at the weekend.
The rainbow jerseys of world champions Marianne Vos and Sven Nys were almost unrecognisable as the mud and rain wreaked havoc, while Katie Compton and Niels Albert celebrated their respective victories.
Compton ensured she was crowned World Cup champion for the second year running, and now poses a real threat to Vos’ aforementioned world champion’s jersey.
Photographer Balint Hamvas was on hand to capture the race on camera. See how it unfolded in this stunning gallery.
