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