Vélodrome de Roubaix

In between the 2014 Cyclocross World Championships and some local Belgian CX, I sneaked a visit to the Vélodrome André-Pétrieux, or more famously known as the Vélodrome de Roubaix. Since 1989, it has been the finish point of Paris Roubaix. Riders either love the race, or loathe the race. The vélodrome was quiet in early February, but will become a very different place every April. I spent about an hour exploring the place. With overcast skies and little drizzles, it felt like a fitting day to explore. I did not manage to enter the cold stone showers though. Opposite the vélodrome is a café with race history, and memorabilia. Looking at the past pictures, and the list of victors, it felt like a good history lesson about the sport. On the wall of the bar, there is a list of all the riders who had won before. This race really takes no prisoners, except for a few exceptions.

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This is Belgian Cyclocross

Sanne Cant (BEL) being interviewed by Belgian TV after Friday's practice at the 2014 CX World Championships.

Sanne Cant (BEL) being interviewed by Belgian TV after Friday's practice at the 2014 CX World Championships.

Cyclocross season is in the winter. Short days, long shadows, frosty mornings.

Cyclocross season is in the winter. Short days, long shadows, frosty mornings.

Layers, gloves, warm water bottles, and visible condensed breaths...

Layers, gloves, warm water bottles, and visible condensed breaths...

Cyclocross is Belgium, and Belgium is Cyclocross.

Cyclocross is Belgium, and Belgium is Cyclocross.

After a few laps, the bike weighs a few kilos more because of the mud.

After a few laps, the bike weighs a few kilos more because of the mud.

The crew hard at work throughout the cx weekend. I was shocked, but shouldn't really be surprised by the amount of washing that goes on in cyclocross.

The crew hard at work throughout the cx weekend. I was shocked, but shouldn't really be surprised by the amount of washing that goes on in cyclocross.

Cyclocross is a tactical race of decisions. When to ride. When to run. To push, or to shoulder the bike.

Cyclocross is a tactical race of decisions. When to ride. When to run. To push, or to shoulder the bike.

A typical cyclocross course goes through a few different terrains: meadows, forests, sand, tarmac, mud, with some obstacles thrown in sometimes. Each lap is about 2.5 - 3.2 km.

A typical cyclocross course goes through a few different terrains: meadows, forests, sand, tarmac, mud, with some obstacles thrown in sometimes. Each lap is about 2.5 - 3.2 km.

No mud, no glory...

No mud, no glory...

Despite the copious amounts of beer and frites, cyclocross is very spectator friendly.

Despite the copious amounts of beer and frites, cyclocross is very spectator friendly.

It amazes me where the mud comes from. Just when I thought it cannot be any muddier, it does...

It amazes me where the mud comes from. Just when I thought it cannot be any muddier, it does...

One rule of cyclocross: Commit to the rut.

One rule of cyclocross: Commit to the rut.

Many different techniques to get around the same corner. Lucie Chainel-Lefèvre (FRA) chooses to dismount and run.

Many different techniques to get around the same corner. Lucie Chainel-Lefèvre (FRA) chooses to dismount and run.

Drivetrains, gears and brakes get jammed.

Drivetrains, gears and brakes get jammed.

Had my fair share of being heckled by Belgian fans… Sometimes, it just annoying.

Had my fair share of being heckled by Belgian fans… Sometimes, it just annoying.

Was told that Tom Meeusen (BEL) has one of the most distinctive game-faces in cyclocross.

Was told that Tom Meeusen (BEL) has one of the most distinctive game-faces in cyclocross.

There's no doubt - Cyclocross is brutal.

There's no doubt - Cyclocross is brutal.

The fans are so important to the atmosphere. In the press box, one can just see Kevin Pauwels (BEL) being interviewed. His fan club is waiting for him.

The fans are so important to the atmosphere. In the press box, one can just see Kevin Pauwels (BEL) being interviewed. His fan club is waiting for him.

Laars van der Haar (NED) making some fans happy. The riders are quite friendly, and approachable. The mood at local Belgian cyclocross is also much less intense than at the world championships.

Laars van der Haar (NED) making some fans happy. The riders are quite friendly, and approachable. The mood at local Belgian cyclocross is also much less intense than at the world championships.

I wanted to get one for myself. By the time I was satisfied with making my photos, they had run out.

I wanted to get one for myself. By the time I was satisfied with making my photos, they had run out.

Marianne Vos (NED) showing off her latest set of Rainbow Stripes at the BPost Bank Trofee in Lille, Krawatencross.

Marianne Vos (NED) showing off her latest set of Rainbow Stripes at the BPost Bank Trofee in Lille, Krawatencross.

Rubber gum boots are a must for Belgian cyclocross.

Rubber gum boots are a must for Belgian cyclocross.

When photographing, I must remember to get out of the way too.

When photographing, I must remember to get out of the way too.

The dismount and mount is almost like an artform.

The dismount and mount is almost like an artform.

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The 2013/2014 season was not a good one for Niels Albert (BEL).

The 2013/2014 season was not a good one for Niels Albert (BEL).

One rider that I really got to know - Ellen van Loy (BEL). Thanks for saying hi, and always giving me a word or two about how you feel about the course. Amazing woman, who has a full time job being an educator, outside CX racing.

One rider that I really got to know - Ellen van Loy (BEL). Thanks for saying hi, and always giving me a word or two about how you feel about the course. Amazing woman, who has a full time job being an educator, outside CX racing.