“This cyclo-cross is for the strong”: this weekend, more than 150 runners are expected in Castres

While the truckers are resting or gradually returning to training to prepare for their 2025 exercise, the cyclo-cross specialists have been on deck for many weeks already. The region's big names will this time meet in Castres, this Sunday, November 3, to engage in a new battle worthy of the name.

As good as last season, we hope in the ranks of the organizing club. The Vélo Sport Léo Lagrange de Castres has not forgotten the formidable duel between the Mazamétain Thibaut Vassal and the Chartrain Valentin Cosnier, which ended up turning in favor of the latter in the rain which made the course much more demanding. And the show is even more beautiful.

One of the toughest in Occitania

“This year, we should have a dry pitch with sunshine. The weather conditions of the last few days have meant that the pitch has dried out due in particular to the Autan wind,” explains Dimitri Dury, the president of the Castres club, which will welcome more of 150 runners on its La Borde Basse playing field, renowned as being one of the toughest in Occitanie.

“This cyclo-cross is for the strong! I think that physically and technically, it is the hardest in the region. The fact that we are in a field means that we are always in contact” , justifies the Tarn manager, “proud of the duration that the club has been able to bring to this organization. We are happy to have been one of the first clubs to get involved in the cyclo-cross movement. It's a great event that we're trying to keep going.” On Sunday, she will celebrate her 27th birthday. And its 3 kilometer route will, in the name of spectacle, once again be modified somewhat by the VSLL.

Thibaut Vassal, favori ?

“We want the public to be there and enjoy watching the event. This year, the objective is going to be to have a peloton grouped together for longer than usual by putting in the work as soon as possible. the beginning. Then, throughout the course, we can find embankments, descents, slopes, boards and stairs,” explains Dimitri Dury.

It remains to be seen who will succeed Valentin Cosnier, who will not be present in Castres to defend his 2023 victory. At home, Thibaut Vassal will be keen to return to success on a site he knows like the back of his hand. The French Masters champion will have to be wary of the young Edouard Thatcher (Colomiers) and Hugo Roussillou (Saint-Juéry), but also of his Mazamet teammates Damien Portet and the former professional Romain Campistrous.