2004 World Cyclocross Championships - CM

Pont-Château, France, January 31-February 1, 2004

Photos

January 31 - Junior Men: 40 Minutes

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• Niels Albert (Belgium) takes control from the first lap
• Clément Cid of France took fourth place and helped France put four riders in the top ten
• Jamey Driscoll (USA) had a great start but slowly faded to 22nd place
• Some riders found the conditions tough to handle
• Damien Robert was the third of France's top ten finishers
• Speeds remained high despite the slick parcours
• A group of chasers try to reel in the eventual podium finishers
• Niels Albert claims gold, with a little help from the Belgian supporters
• Niels Albert, world junior cyclo-cross champion

January 31 - U23 Men: 50 Minutes

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• The rain cleared and the U23 men rocketed through a nervous first lap
• Zdenek Stybar (Cze) took off alone after a first lap crash slowed the field
• The leaders stuck together for most of the six laps
• Despite the morning downpour, the course still offered fans a fast race
• Belgian Wesley Van der Linden was a medal contender until a crash in the final 500m
• Jesse Anthony and the Americans had a tough time on European soil
• The leaders used the descent to rest and watch each other
• Jeremy Powers was the first American finisher
• Sébastien Minard leads the field as the frontrunners survey one another
• Minard makes his move on the uphill dismount
• Pauwels chases Minard with Gil and Steve Chainel (France) in tow
• Jesse Anthony pushes on past the barriers
• The race took its toll on more than a few riders
• Kevin Pauwels adds a new rainbow jersey to his collection after his junior win in 2002
• The U23 podium (from left): Mariusz Gil, Kevin Pauwels, Martin Zlamalik

Images by Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews/www.actiefotos.be

• Bart Arnouts working hard
• Kevin Pauwels romps through the mud
• Wesley Van Der Linden shoulders his ride
• USA under 23s didn't have a great day, but gained good experience
• Team USA battled on valiantly
• Kevin Pauwels claims another victory for Belgium
• Mariusz Gil was pretty darn happy with second place
• The U23 podium (from left): Mariusz Gil, Kevin Pauwels, Martin Zlamalik

February 1 - Elite/Junior Women: 40 Minutes

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• The Dutch took the start with Marianne Vos and Daphny Van den Brand in the lead
• By the end of the first lap, Leboucher was already in control
• Ann Knapp was the first American in fourth place
• Leboucher was strong throughout the course and never relinquished her lead
• Daphny Van den Brand leads American Alison Dunlap on the climb
• Leboucher rode to the roar of the French public
• Laurence Leboucher tackles the first set of barriers
• Germany's Hanka Kupfernagel was unable to match Leboucher's attacks
• Ann Knapp leads teammate Alison Dunlap on a fast descent
• With one lap to go, victory was set for Leboucher
• Knapp continued to set the pace as she and Dunlap chased the podium finishers
• Maryline Salvetat (France) was thrilled with her silver medal ride
• Ann Knapp had no expectations and was more than satisfied with fourth place
• The women's podium (from left): Maryline Salvetat, Laurence Leboucher, Hanka Kupfernagel
• France's one-two punch: Maryline Salvetat (l) and Laurence Leboucher

Images by Russ & Nancy Wright/www.AbbiOrca.com

• The best seat in the house.
• Rachel Lloyd (USA) watches her step.
• Laurence Leboucher (France) with a commanding lead.
• Alison Dunlap (USA) was the second-best finisher from the US.
• Maryline Salvetat (France) makes it a France 1-2.
• The women's podium - (L to R) Maryline Salvetat (France), Laurence Leboucher (France) and Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany).
• Maryline Salvetat (France) looking a happy camper.
• Rachel Lloyd (USA) seeing brown.
• Laurence Leboucher (France) is spurred on by the vocal crowd.
• Ann Knapp (USA) concentrates hard.
• Carmen D'Alusio's (USA) lanky frame saw her finish in 17th place.
• Corinne Dorland (Netherlands) knows the race is up ahead.
• Laurence Leboucher (France) clenches her fist as the new world champion, crossing the line 37 seconds ahead of her countrywoman Maryline Salvetat.
• Maryline Salvetat (France) happy to finish second.

February 1 - Elite Men: 60 Minutes

Images by Chris Henry/Cyclingnews.com

• Sven Nijs suffered from the first lap and eventually abandoned
• Jackson Stewart plows through traffic on the first lap run-up
• By the second lap the Belgian train had already left the station
• Only Daniele Pontoni of Italy could crack the top five against the Belgians
• Every rider has his fan club
• Wellens tested the leaders with several attacks but ultimately took his chances on a sprint
• John Gadret of France started brilliantly but eventually faded
• Great Britain's Roger Hammond put his experience to good use, finishing 11th
• France's David Derepas digs deep on a short but difficult climb
• Emmanuel Magnien's road racing background suited him on the fast Pont-Château course
• American national champion Jonathan Page didn't reach his usual level against the Europeans
• Mario De Clercq looks around to see how many fellow Belgians are still on his wheel
• Belgian... Belgian... Belgian... What the rest of the field saw
• Francis Mourey was the top French finisher
• Bart Wellens (right) narrowly edges Mario de Clercq in the final sprint
• A Belgian hat-trick: Mario de Clercq (l), Bart Wellens, and Sven Vanthourenhout

Images by AFP Photo

• Bart Wellens was always watchful
• Francis Mourey was the top French finisher in 7th place
• Bart Wellens edges out Mario De Clercq to win the World Championship
• Bart Wellens is congratulated by his coach Paul Ponnet after winning

Images by Russ & Nancy Wright/www.AbbiOrca.com

• Jackson Stewart (USA) put in a solid performance, but he or his team-mates couldn't match the pace of the leaders.
• Jonathan Page (USA) was not as his usual best against the top European 'crossers today.
• In an atypical finish, Bart Wellens (Belgium, R) throws his bike over the line to beat countryman Mario De Clercq by the narrowest of margins.
• The faces say it all.
• The all-Belgian podium - (L to R) Mario De Clercq (2nd), Bart Wellens (1st) and Sven Vanthourenhout (2nd).
• The start of the men's race.
• Reigning champion Bart Wellens (Belgium) relishing the conditions/
• Andy Jacques-Maynes' (USA) was in a world of hurt.
• Daniele Pontoni (Italy) looking composed over the barriers.
• Sven Vanthourenhout (Belgium) looking pretty happy with third place.
• US and Belgian flags flying high.

Images by Luc Claessen/Cyclingnews/www.actiefotos.be

• Bart Wellens on the way to another victory
• Bart Wellens looked hungry for a second rainbow jersey
• Bart Wellens can hardly believe he's done it again
• Bart Wellens is so shocked by his victory he is forced to impersonate Beaker from the muppets
• Bart Wellens was still grinning at the post-race press conference
• Belgian riders Vanthourenhout and Nys taking the lead in the first lap
• Bart Wellens jumping over the obstacles
• Sven Vanthourenhout struggled to keep up with Wellens and De Clercq
• Daniele Pontoni (Ita) amazed everyone with a splendid fourth place
• Swiss rider Christian Heule
• One of the most difficult parts of the World Championship circuit
• American rider Jackson Stewart
• The Belgian train approaching
• Camiel Van den Bergh (Ned): My God, are they that far ahead?
• Keiichi Tsujiura the only rider from Japan
• The Dutch team disappointed in Pontchateau
• Beat Morf from Switzerland finished 22nd
• Belgian Erwin Vervecken, doing his job for the team, finished in 6th place
• Sven Nys from Belgium had to abandon the race
• Magan Fernandez from Spain
• Belgian Ben Berden was the 4th Belgian rider and 5th place overall
• David Derepas from France finished in 17th place
• Jonathan Page (USA) really gives all he has on this climb
• Silver medallist De Clercq looking focussed
• Dutch Champion Richard Groenendaal couldn't find his rhythm at the World's
• Supermario tried to attack several times but failed
• Vanthourenhout had a real tough time following his teammates
• Daniele Pontoni rode one of his strongest Championships ever
• Erwin Vervecken trying to keep up with the leaders
• The final sprint: Wellens outsprints De Clercq by only 5 centimeters
• Sven Vanthourenhout only 22 years of age and a bronze medal. A man for the future!
• Czech rider Petr Dlask seems happy with his 8th place