Cyclo Cross has long been seen as a Cinderella sport, but in recent times
its popularity has grown especially in the USA. League racing in Britain has
also seen healthy fields in races often held under sunny skies (although sometimes
cold), but cross takes on a different dimension in Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland
(Yes, watch those crazy Swiss go!) and the Czech Republic.
The Koksijde Cross held on the Sand Dunes of Flanders sees this
small Belgium town taken over by Cross fevour and whilst 1,000’s of fans fill
the dunes, the riders and their support crews make camp in town. We snapped
the many exotic bikes nestling on townsfolk’s lawns and driveways. Everyone
being friendly and enjoying the invasion.
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German Focus kitted out with SRAM
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Scatto from Belgium
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Under 23 World Champion – Zdnek Stybar’s Fidea Team
Carbon Ridley |
Team Fidea Ridley as ridden by Kamil Ausbusher
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We thought they were Michelins but are in fact Challenge
Tubs as fitted to Zdnek Stybar’s bike |
World Cup leader Sven Njys full carbon Colnago
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A Scott for a local ace
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IJ bike – one of many new to us brands
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There was plenty of carbon on show – this wheel from
Leopard being one of many makes |
Davy Commeyne’s Emprella Bonfire in Collstrop/Palmans
colours |
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You have never seen so many wheels as you do at a
cross race |
Ondrej Bambula’s Merida cross bike
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Lots of unknown makes at Koksijde – this being an
Apache |
Stevens are a small team and bike maker.
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Grey Tufo Tubs are becoming popular, we know that
the Arctic RT squad rate them Note the exotic wheel |
Alexandre Moos Phonak BMC – horrible, but strangely
alluring |
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Another new make to us – the German Corpus pretty
in pink |
Guerciotti Crow X Cross is a full carbon bike and
Helen Wyman has one |
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Team mate to Sven Nyjs, Sven Vanthourenhout’s Colnago
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Riders rode their tubs almost flat for the sand. Prior
to the race riders would bounce to check that rim and road had enough air between them |
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Probably the tallest rider in the World, Ryan Trebor’s
Major Snake |
That pink bike again
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Dugast tubs rule with almost all riding them, these
being Sven Nyjs tyres |
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