As he has become accustomed to for several seasons, Joshua Dubau did not wait long before hanging up his first bibs of the new year since he was again, this Wednesday, at the start of the 77th edition of the cyclo-cross international of Pétange. The event contested in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg indeed corresponds to his qualities, both as a climber because you have to tackle the ascent of the Hierschbierg at each turn, and as a mountain biker with multiple technical forest sections mainly downhill. Ranked 2nd in 2018 then 2022 behind the German Marcel Meisen, and above all a double winner leaving the venue, the resident of the Van Rysel CX Racing Team was initially seeking a third success in a row.
But here is his runner-up from the last edition, the Belgian Lander Loockx (Unibet Tietema Rockets) put pressure on him from the start to try to reverse the order of 2024. “He was solid, he made a good start and took a few seconds after my few mistakes at the beginning. I think I was stronger than him on the physical parts, but then he took time from me on the low part of the circuit. Suddenly it was balanced.”he relates to DirectVelo.
“COMPLICATED TO COME BACK ON HIM”
And indeed the two adversaries remained separated, on the invariably muddy course, by ten to fifteen seconds for three of the seven laps, while Marcel Meisen was more than thirty seconds behind. Then the second part of the race swung in favor of Lander Loockx. “I didn't manage to force myself to get back. He maintained a good pace and I saw that it was complicated to get back on him. I slowed down a little and the gaps were made. I I then secured my second place”immediately analyzed the recent 12th finish in the World Cup round in Besançon.
But as the Pontchâteau deadline approaches, Joshua Dubau wants to be optimistic. “The feelings are pretty good. The objective of my season remains the French Championship, a one-day race with strong men. It’s on this day that I will have to perform”. Before that, he will line up for the World Cup in Dendermonde on Sunday.
