Belgium Adventure: Diegem

Women's cyclocross does not have nearly the status of men's cyclocross in Belgium.

When I initially planned my Belgium schedule, I planned to do a UCI C2 race on Dec 28th. In the lead-up to the trip, as I completed registrations, I discovered, to my horror, that a women's race was not included at this particular C2. I scrambled to read up on the UCI rules and discovered the requirement that a women's race be held applied only to World Cups and C1 events. Promoters of C2s may do as they wish. In this post-title IX era, a C2 in America would never omit the women's race, and it would be scheduled immediately before the men (as the second most important race of the day).

For the C1 in Diegem on Dec 29, women raced at 1:00 pm as the first race of the day. We were followed by junior men, U23 men, and then finally elite men some 4.5 hours after the women.

Despite the early hour at which we arrived to preride and warm-up for the women's race, the autograph seekers were already present. Most riders produce and carry "rider cards," like baseball cards, but the size of postcards. The more rabid fans carry around the start list and check-off each rider's name as they collect her card and signature. One man asked me no less than 3 times for my card; the third time, my answer still remained the same, "No I don't have a card. Next year."

The Diegem course started at mid-elevation in the town, descended to the low point, and climbed to the high point. It used the land surrounding a soccer stadium, city streets, and the area around another set of soccer fields. The loop was very long, as the women's winner Sanne Cant did just four laps for a forty minute race.

This time we were slightly better prepared. We had brought a large container of water, after finding there was minimal access to water outside of the pits at the previous race in Loenhout. Since I lost my discarded jacket in Loenhout, Michael planned to put my bike in the pit and then come to the line to collect my jacket.

Upon call-up, I nervously looked around for Michael, but he was nowhere to be found. Finally, I saw him on the other side of the fencing, far too far away to pass my jacket to. I could read his lips sufficiently to determine that they were not letting him in. (Coming from the pits, he tried to enter at a spectator crossing, rather than the rider entrance, and his credential/wrist band did not allow him access.) Knowing I could not afford to lose more clothing, I needed to come up with a solution. Directly ahead of me was Nicole Duke, and in front of her was Ben Berden standing on the start line to collect her jacket. Although I know of both of them (as they are "famous" in my book), I've never had occasion to meet either. Nevertheless, both were entirely cool when I asked if Ben could take my jacket (and afterward Ben even met me at the finish with it).

While this time I had a weak start (I missed my pedal), I went as hard as I possibly could on the first lap and moved up to just outside the top-20. The long road climb and false-flat thereafter played to my favor. Having to dismount six times per lap, I also learned to sprint when off the bike. As in Loenhout, I lost time in the technical sections and gained it on the fitness parts. Ultimately, I was 24th, felt it was a big improvement, and came away hungry for more.  (Photos: Tom Prenen)

Since I had two non-racing days after Diegem, we decided to stay around and watch the men's race.

All the reading I have done on Belgium cyclocross never could have prepared me for the crowd size and chaos of the men's race. Despite being over a square mile of town, it was wall-to-wall people, like a rock concert, where you grab your partner's hand to push through the masses.

As promised, there was no shortage of beer, frites, frisdrank (soda), and various sausages/brats/hot dogs for sale. It seems everyone smokes (cigarettes and cigars). Besides the fans, the crossing guards and pit mechanics do their job with a smoke in hard. Smoke hangs over the venue, and even during my race, I'd sometimes find it overwhelming on course.

Before the alcohol had taken hold, the fans were very serious about their spectating. Many are part of "supporters" clubs (which support a particular rider often from their own province) and walk about in their matching supporters jackets and/or hats. Little kids wear rainbow striped jerseys, hats, and scarves. The awnings off the rider RVs are cordoned off with course tape, and fans stand on the other side intently watching the mechanics at work. It should also be noted that everyone, young, old, and fashionable, wears rubber boots in respect to the mud that is everywhere.

By the time the men's race was halfway through, drunken revelry had taken over. At the high point of the course, there was a disco packed tightly with people (and playing mostly American music). When the race was over, the officials tore down the fencing to allow the throngs of people to move more quickly down the hill on the course.

The insanity surrounding cyclocross blew my mind. At the same time, it did not take too long to recognize that trying to race in that environment week after week could become tiresome. The drunken chaos surrounding professional athletes who are trying to do their job must be difficult, and unlike in NFL, there's only a piece of course tape separating the riders from fans (partiers).

About the author... A former elite skier for Madshus, Corey Coogan Cisek is now an internationally-ranked cyclocross rider for The Fix Studio, Minneapolis. She was the 2013 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Champion in Women’s 35-39. Though skiing and cycling have taken her many cool places, this is her first trip across the pond!