{"id":13598,"title":"Ardooie Kermiscross","description":"Ardooie attracts some of the top European cyclocross stars. Amateurs and masters have their own races so you can feel like a star for a day. Find out how.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

A tale of cyclocross and smuggling (possibly).<\/p>

Fondness<\/h3>

I have to confess a certain fondness for the Kermiscross in Ardooie. It's not the biggest cyclocross event of the year. It doesn't feature the best field, although some of the best cyclocrossers ride, and it's not part of a series like the X2O Badkamers or Ethias Cross.<\/p>

\"\"Warning! Ardooie can be muddy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

What attracts me to Ardooie is that you have the chance to race on exactly the same course as the professionals. I also love the way the event consumes the town of Ardooie with a passion for the sport.<\/p>

On race day, Ardooie is the Kermiscross. Only those with an entry ticket can wander down Stationstraat which forms the 'high street' of this normally quiet West Flandrian municipality.<\/p>

If you are a male masters rider who fancies some hard racing, followed by beer, a dodgy-looking hotdog and getting close to some of the top men and women of cyclocross then pencil in Thursday, 20 October 2022.<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>Classic Flemish cyclocross<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

I'm afraid that there aren't any races for female masters. That, at present, reflects the situation in Belgium.<\/p>

Independent<\/h3>

I mentioned Ardooie to Ellen van Loy<\/a> when I interviewed her. When I finally achieved the correct pronunciation (Ahh-Doy-Err), and she understood what I was talking about, her face lit up.<\/p>

\"\"Ellen van Loy protege Susan Verhoeven (right) finished second<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

She explained that, for her, Ardooie represents the true heart of Flemish cyclocross. It's a community event run by a not-for-profit association for the pride of Ardooie.<\/p>

In an era when every race of note has been taken over by a mega-corp, it's refreshing when an event is run by enthusiasts.<\/p>

\"\"It's a community event<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

But don't confuse enthusiast for amateur. The organising committee puts on a cracking event that relies upon local sponsors and paying VIPs.<\/p>

Although it's ranked as a UCI C2 event (the lowest level that UCI points can be scored in), it has all the trappings that you'd expect of a professional race: Hospitality (that's beer, hotdogs and frieten); VIP enclosure; on-course betting; a 1970\/80s music playlist; enthusiastic crowds; and more beer.<\/p>

\"\"Dried fish is one of the delicacies on offer<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

As it's mid-week the crowd tends to be more mature, so the boozing is social rather than boisterous. The crowds are smaller too which means it's easy to get very close to the riders.<\/p>

Who, on the whole, are more relaxed than at one of the major cyclocross series. This means they are more amenable to talking and having their photograph taken.<\/p>

Many of the more famous names are only there because they have received start money from the organisers. A couple of the riders I spoke to were honest when they admitted they'd rather be at home training in the dry but the allure of start money was too much to turn down.<\/p>

\"\"Maud Kaptheijns wonders whether the start money was worth it<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

First timer<\/h3>

I'll never forget my first visit to Ardooie in 2016. The rain had been torrential all night long. It hammered at the windows of the B&B. The wind howled and growled and rattled the roof tiles until the first light.<\/p>

By the time we arrived at the course the next morning, the sun was out. But no amount of sunshine was going to evaporate water that was more than knee-deep in places. One look at the course and I thought to myself \"we won't be racing today\".<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>Jolisa, sister of the late Jolien rides for \"Never Give Up by Jolien Verschueren\"<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

The people of Ardooie are a resilient lot and soon the sluice gates had been opened. A work party was formed to dig a trench to usher the water away. Apart from the two long tarmac sections, it was mud. Deep, soft, slimy with a piquant farmyard aroma.<\/p>

\"oydqwxznhk5qt0iynxo5v3t6kqqo2yx00rti2fsdhhar7aqk.jpg\"The VIP enclosure<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

By the time our race started, the water was just below the knee at its deepest. Most of the course was rideable as the mud had liquified.<\/p>

As we hit the water meadow for the first time, the whole world seemed to slow down. It was like the last ever episode of Blackadder as they go over the top, but without the bullets and shells. Men were going down everywhere. Tangling into one another or just not decamping from their bikes quick enough.<\/p>

\"\"Every position is fought for<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Deep, dark pools awaited the unwary and soon riders were spread over minutes. It was impossible to spot riders' numbers and everyone finished appearing to wear an identical faun-coloured skinsuit. I was hooked.<\/p>

Smuggling<\/h3>

After missing the last two years due to injury and then cancellation because of Covid, I was keen to make it to the start line. Having completed all my requisite Covid forms, and booked a PCR test for my return, I was ready for the off.
My first stop as soon as I reached Belgium was at the St Bernardus Brewery in the border town of Watou.<\/p>

The only thing I have in common with Lotto professional Thomas De Gendt is a shared love of the St Bernardus 12. You can read about the fascinating and amusing history of the St Bernardus brewery here<\/a>.<\/p>

\"\"Bikes and beer - the perfect combination<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Since Brexit, I have no idea how much alcohol I'm allowed to bring back into the UK. The girl in the shop didn't know either. I took a leaf out of the Prime Minister's handbook and just made up an allowance. As much as I could fit in my car whilst still having room for all my cyclocross kit.<\/p>

I'm no wiser as to the penalties for smuggling these days. I'm pretty sure you're unlikely to be hung or sent to Botany Bay. Our local HMP Ford open prison doesn't sound too bad. I'd probably be allowed out cycling.<\/p>

Inschrijving<\/h3>

I'd emailed the organisers beforehand to ensure that I would be allowed to ride. Despite their confirmatory response, I was still a little nervous as I reached signing on. Attempting to negotiate inschrijving (registration) at a Belgian race always reminds me of the 1970s. A phalanx of officialdom awaits.<\/p>

\"\"The finest Belgian mud<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

They sit in a neat row. I'm not sure what each does but there is always at least one, vainglorious in his official blazer, who gives the impression that he's just stepped away from the Berlin Wall.<\/p>

My licence was examined in minute detail as if he expected a micro-dot to cascade onto the table. But once I had demonstrated suitable obsequiousness, I was in.<\/p>

\"\"The bridge is strength-sapping<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Left behind at the start<\/h3>

It was certainly wet again this year but nothing like the quagmire of my first race. The fields were much smaller for the amateur and masters' races. According to my UK teammate Andy Roberts, who winters in Oudenaarde, this has been a common feature of the crosses in Belgium this year.<\/p>

The quality hadn't been diminished though. World, European and National maters' champions lined up on the front row. The starts are staggered between the Masters B and the combined Masters C\/D. In the past, a minute has been allowed to elapse before the second race starts. Not this time. A bare 15 seconds had passed before the whistle blew and everyone, apart from me, shot off down the road.<\/p>

\"\"It tends to attract a more mature spectator<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Fortunately, the long tarmac straight gave me time to catch and pass a few riders before the first corner. Then it's left, seemingly into someone's driveway, up a ramp, over some carpet before plunging into the water meadow.<\/p>

After the usual first lap mayhem, pushing and barging and once we all became spread out it just seemed to calm down a bit. Everyone hit their terminal velocity. Slow, very slow or almost paused. It was a tough race and I was glad when I passed the chequered flag.<\/p>

My favourite moment was while I was enjoying the respite offered by the Berlingmolenstraat's tarmac and the tannoy started blaring out the 1974 classic \"Sugar Baby Love\" by the Rubettes.<\/p>

Following a lovely hot shower, the mud washed away it was time to watch the women race.<\/p>

Alicia Franck dominates<\/h3>

From the off, Alicia Franck was soon into the lead and she slowly built upon this as the race progressed. Alicia is another of my recent interviewees<\/a>, so I was delighted to see her performing so well.<\/p>

Behind her, it developed into a tight struggle between Susan Verhoeven, daughter of Tour de France stage winner Nico Verhoeven, Briton Amira Mellor riding for Spectra Racing and Maud Kaptheijns of Deschact-Hens-Maes.<\/p>

\"\"Alicia Franck leads Amira Mellor on the first lap<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Whilst Franck slowly pulled away from the rest, behind there was a real tussle for the remaining podium spots. We masters had truly destroyed the course. Where we had been able to ride the banks, it was now impossible. If it was a slog for us 'old boys' it was now even tougher for the elite women.<\/p>

\"\"Laura Verdonschot finds the going tough<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

By the finish, Alicia Franck was well clear of Susan Verhoeven and Amira Mellor. All of the riders looked completely shattered as they crossed the line. A hard way to make a few Euros and gain some valuable UCI points.<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>The relief from the pain is etched on Alicia's face as she crosses the line<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Amira Mellor's teammate Xan Crees was 9th and Laura Greenhalgh (Velorevolution-WP Cycles) was 19th.<\/p>

\"\"Marthe Truyen looks happy to have finished<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Laurens Sweeck sweeps to victory<\/h3>

It was a similar story in the elite men's race. Laurens Sweeck, having skipped the races in the USA and with his teammate Michael Vanthourenhout out with illness, was the bookies' favourite.<\/p>

And he didn't disappoint. He appeared to cruise where others faltered. The course had started to dry out, although the long run through deep mud before the finish was still not rideable,<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>Laurens Sweeck was in a class of his own<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

On each lap, the riders appeared visibly more laboured as they tackled the steep ramp of the man-made bridge. Behind Sweeck it was another tight battle for the podium places. Brother of Mathieu, David van der Poel edged out Mees Hendrikx by 10 seconds.<\/p>

\"\"A slog of a run in the mud<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Some riders, notably Tom Meeusen, appeared to be taking it quite easily but the majority looked truly broken once they'd crossed the line.<\/p>

British representatives Ben Chilton 19th, Toby Barnes 23rd and Daniel Barnes 26th all finished in the top half of the field.<\/p>

It was time to say farewell to Ardooie, hide the booze under my muddy clothing and plan my trip for next year.<\/p>

How, where and why<\/h3>

Reaching Ardooie and entering the race is relatively simple despite the impression that some of the officials like to present.<\/p>

\"\"Belgian booty<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Ardooie is in West Flanders. If you're not familiar with Belgian geography, it's the bit on the coast nearest to England. Once you arrive at Calais head north on the E40 almost all the way to Brugge (Bruges) then head south-east on the E403. It takes about 90 minutes from Calais.<\/p>

All you need to sign on is your British Cycling licence and about 15 Euros. You'll get some back when you hand your number in. Remember that they don't supply pins in Belgium. It's a rookie error to turn up without them.<\/p>

\"\"The riders are usually more relaxed and happy to chat<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

I always take my official British Cycling letter that says I have authority to race but no one has ever asked to see it.<\/p>

Why should you go? Because it's probably as close to feeling like a professional that you'll ever get. The results don't really matter because you don't know who the other riders are.<\/p>

It's not like riding your local cyclocross league where you know whether you've had a good result or not. And there will be good riders in your race and they will make you fight for every position.<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>Exhaustion may be the only reward<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

But don't expect many people to watch your race. If any of the VIPs are standing outside the tent whilst your race is on it's probably because they're having a smoke. They're there to watch the real professionals race and enjoy a few beers.<\/p>

5 November 2021, Tim Costello<\/p>

NEVER MISS OUT<\/strong><\/h3>

Subscribe<\/a>\u00a0to get all our latest stories and news. We won't bombard you with special offers. We don't want to send you junk as much as you don't want to receive it.<\/p>

\"e4csubwckhg8szzln5ubes5dpwxwl5bey21wrlfbncih5zeg.jpg\"<\/u><\/a><\/p>","urlTitle":"ardooie-2021","url":"\/blog\/ardooie-2021\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/ardooie-2021\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/rijden.uk\/blog\/ardooie-2021\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1635795343,"updatedAt":1716906584,"publishedAt":1716906583,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":61205,"name":"Rijden_2"},"tags":[{"id":1160,"code":"cyclocross","name":"Cyclocross","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/cyclocross\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1auuahuz1eudfey0z5c7pj0exas1xdpvxsl8jy3aj9zevu7v.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1auuahuz1eudfey0z5c7pj0exas1xdpvxsl8jy3aj9zevu7v.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1auuahuz1eudfey0z5c7pj0exas1xdpvxsl8jy3aj9zevu7v.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Ardooie Kermiscross | Rijden cycling","metaDescription":"Ardooie attracts some of the top European cyclocross stars. Amateurs and masters have their own races so you can feel like a star for a day. Find out how.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":10415,"title":"Balint Hamvas, top cyclocross photographer","url":"\/blog\/the-impressionist-balint-hamvas\/","urlTitle":"the-impressionist-balint-hamvas","division":61205,"description":"We caught up with top cyclocross photographer Balint Hamvas. During an enjoyable interview, he told me about freezing in the Alps, travelling by e-bike and how he faked his way into professional photography.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hed6ed0xd68xvkqekrz04yqhwthnw7fc8apax9eqpyodq9c1.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/hed6ed0xd68xvkqekrz04yqhwthnw7fc8apax9eqpyodq9c1.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":10567,"title":"Ian Field part one","url":"\/blog\/ian-field-part-one\/","urlTitle":"ian-field-part-one","division":61205,"description":"Cyclocross professional turned CX coach Ian Field gives the low down on what it takes to live and race cyclocross in Belgium. Part one: \"Come home when you're broke\".","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/z0esxhm8ptynkd2ccmx2d0j6vhz1ahl1o7kheqjmiwaqppei.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/z0esxhm8ptynkd2ccmx2d0j6vhz1ahl1o7kheqjmiwaqppei.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":10597,"title":"Ian Field, multiple cyclocross champion part two","url":"\/blog\/ian-field-part-2\/","urlTitle":"ian-field-part-2","division":61205,"description":"Cyclocross professional turned CX coach Ian Field continues his tale of living and racing cyclocross in Belgium.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ow36svb5jriv2vpimfugw8badnngxxynpxsy14eymngsr9z5.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ow36svb5jriv2vpimfugw8badnngxxynpxsy14eymngsr9z5.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}