World Cup Namur, a Photo Essay

by Douglas Ansel on Dec 19, 2011 6:14 PM EST

You've seen the results (Sven Nys and Marianne Vos won), but have you seen just how ridiculously muddy it was? A friend of the cafe provided some excellent pictures for us all to enjoy.

The Elite Men podium: Nys, Albert, Vantornout

Marianne Vos works her way down one of the gnarliest descents of the season.

Daphny Van Den Brant descends.

Elite Women's podium: Vos, Chainel-Leferve, and Compton

Splash! Slop was the name of the game on Sunday after two weeks of rain in Belgium.

Lars Boom! joined the fun today but was decidedly off the pace, finishing in 28th.

Niels Albert showed no signs of missing weeks of competition - he finished second on the day.

Kevin Pauwels finished fourth and lost his lead in the World Cup rankings. Sven Nys now leads by five points.

Who will run and who will ride?

All pictures courtesy of Patrick Verhoest

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Comments

Holy something or other

That Marianne descending picture is awesome. As is the Niels Albert shot. How come his face is so white when everything else is so muddy?! And the splish splash puddle Tommeke Meeusen is creating is ace too. Thanks for these!

by tgsgirl on Dec 19, 2011 6:30 PM EST reply actions

The mud on his face quickly dried up

because he’s so hot.

(argh)

"Beer helps." -- Ant1.

by tedvdw on Dec 19, 2011 7:13 PM EST up reply actions

I like this answer

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Dec 20, 2011 6:48 AM EST up reply actions

All the photos are fantastic but that first one is particularly telling

From my stream you couldn’t see how rooty it was, and yet everyone was dropping down that slope like it was no big thing.

From doing a little racing of my own, I can assure you it was a big thing.

All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.

by Drew Davis on Dec 20, 2011 8:03 AM EST up reply actions

I know, it made my jaw drop. I hate roots. Hate hate hate them!

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Dec 20, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Damn

I thought those were pythons.

De cross gaat out that door.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 20, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

Roots can be creepy

"Beer helps." -- Ant1.

by tedvdw on Dec 20, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

I lurv the Niels shot.

Especially since it’s so black around him. It’s like he’s some sort of cross monster emerging from the night to snatch babies. Or young girl’s hearts, more likely.

I NEED MOAR MUD

by Douglas Ansel on Dec 19, 2011 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Picture from Niels...

I just took took the picture with concentrated ‘full flash ’ on the face of Niels ,that’s why only his face is ‘white’ and the rest is getter darker ..

by PVerhoestFlanders on Dec 20, 2011 12:14 AM EST up reply actions

I prefer the "cross monster emerging from the night to snatch babies" theory

He’s probably angry because he was woken up by everyone riding down the front of his lair.

by Monty. on Dec 20, 2011 4:51 AM EST up reply actions

+1

Man, if people think I made controversial decisions in 2011, you're gonna be absolutely pooping yourself with what's to come in 2012--Jonathan Vaughters

by majope on Dec 20, 2011 5:51 AM EST up reply actions

+amazing shot of Vos.

Gripping.

by Uphill on Dec 20, 2011 7:25 AM EST up reply actions

+1

Aka Pigeons!

by Sarah Connolly on Dec 20, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Me

I love seeing Daphne VDB cranking that rear brake. Story of my CX career: replacing those rear pads. A lot.

De cross gaat out that door.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 19, 2011 8:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I finally discovered the need to replace mine after my Bramble Patch Incident.

This was something I do not wish to repeat.

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Dec 20, 2011 6:49 AM EST up reply actions

Take a page out of Cipo's book

“He who brakes last, wins.”

All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.

by Drew Davis on Dec 20, 2011 8:04 AM EST up reply actions

Not

if you’re descending into a slick corner.

De cross gaat out that door.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 20, 2011 10:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I was braking but nothing happened ---> painface

It's pronounced "Int-CHOW-stie"

by Albertina on Dec 20, 2011 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

looks like my mtb ride on Saturday.

"..In Belgium for sure they would try to stop the train."
Peter Van Petegem

by Mr Van P on Dec 19, 2011 9:45 PM EST reply actions

Oh yeah?

You around next week and if so, care to ride? I’ll break out the MB.

All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.

by Drew Davis on Dec 20, 2011 8:05 AM EST up reply actions

Quality shots

as usual

Strava

by broerie on Dec 20, 2011 2:45 AM EST reply actions

Wonderful pictures!

Man, if people think I made controversial decisions in 2011, you're gonna be absolutely pooping yourself with what's to come in 2012--Jonathan Vaughters

by majope on Dec 20, 2011 5:52 AM EST reply actions