Saturday in Hulst for the second round of the Junior Cyclo-cross World Cup, Théophile Vassal experienced a nightmare race, finishing far away (see ranking). “I was caught in the falls, especially on the descent, after a very bad start. I had a flat front wheel at the other end of the circuit, did a flat U-turn and broke a shoe. It was a bad day, that can happen in a career. I hope to reverse the trend“confided to the microphone of DirectVelo the Jura.
This Sunday in Zonhoven, the 17-year-old runner raised the bar. “I had a better start. It was nice to be at the front on this legendary circuit.” After the storm early this morning, he adapted to the present cold. “I stayed warm, I equipped myself accordingly. I did quite a bit of rolling. The weather conditions were complicated and the speeds were hard to find at the end, but it felt good to find the cyclo-cross climate again.”.
“FOR THE AUDIENCE AND THE ATMOSPHERE, I CAN’T WAIT TO BE THERE”
2nd at one point in the third of five laps, Théophile Vassal found himself in a group of five-six competitors. “It looked a bit different. I must have done a lap or two in front, but I was further back in the group. There were small moments of delay which allowed me to return and be able to position myself correctly. I found that it was strategic when counting the points in the general classification of the World Cup. For my part, I didn't ask myself too many questions as I don't have many points. I just wanted to get a good seat and enjoy.”
The resident of Jura Cyclisme finally finished at the gates of the Top 5 (see ranking). “Sometimes I got a little confused in the sand passages. It cost me dearly on the last lap. But it’s not too bad compared to what I did yesterday, I had a good race, I’m satisfied.”. A good omen before the next stage of the U19 World Cup, in a week, which will take place in his region in Besançon. “The circuit is not very far from the house. I've trained on it quite a bit, but I've never raced it competitively. For the audience and the atmosphere, I can’t wait to be there.”
