The pass of three for Du Mouza (C'Chartres) at the American cyclo-cross of Poitiers

For the third time in a row, Quentin Du Mouza (C'Chartres) won the American cyclo-cross in Poitiers this Saturday. After Durpaix in 2022 and Coste in 2023, he teamed up with Mathieu Morichon (Team CX Chartres) this year. With the latter, very fit, and already winners five times for five participations on the lands of the Vienne department this fall, they left no chance of hope for their opponents.

However, upon arrival he affirmed: “With Mathieu, we are competitors and we don't usually fight each other in races. I wanted to do this American with him because it gives a good image for our sport. This year, I finished second behind Clément Dubois at the start of the season in Vouillé. Now, I will do two UCI races in Belgium and prepare for the French championship scheduled for January 12. »

His one-day partner had the same ambitions. “It was not planned for me to do this race, because this Sunday I am participating in the national cyclo-cross of Montbron-Eymouthiers. But Quentin asked me if I wanted to do it with him and I accepted. I still have to work to be at my best for the French championship in Pont-Château. The route is rather rolling and the drivers who come out of training will perform well there. The ideal would be to finish in the Top 10”he hoped.

The juniors also put on a show

If they dominated the event, it was not without interest thanks to the Juniors (U19) who showed their talents like Chevalier-Baillou and Gauthier who took a good second place, proof of their in good shape at the end of the year. It was also the opportunity to see Raphaël Delhomme again, in fifth place in the end. “I got healthy again after a difficult year. I'm more of a track rider and have only done two cyclo-cross events this winter. I feel good in my club (La Rochefoucauld DN2) and I want to prepare for the 2025 season in Open1”he declared.

Clément Chavanel, third alongside Mattéï Cacault, “a good friend for a long time”for his part proudly displayed his new jersey. “I transferred on 1^is November at Creuse Oxygène. It was a UCI junior team that called me in mid-August. I prefer the track, but in 2025 I want to perform on the road at national level. I don't want to race for second or third places but for victories. I'm running to win.”declared the ambitious first-year junior.

On the side of the circuit, Claude Perrotin, aged over 80, watched this new generation. “Cyclo-cross has changed a lot. When I ran, the organizers asked farmers to plow the fields we passed to make the race more difficult. In 1967, for the first American-style cyclo-cross organized in Poitiers, amateur runners like me were associated with a professional runner. I remember winning it with Jean Graczyk (65 professional victories, 7 Tours de France and 5 stage victories) »he remembered.

The years go by, the runners change, but the passion, hopes and ambitions remain the same… like Christmas Eve.

Rankings

U 15 : 1. E. Beaugillet (VC Controis) /T. Cron (US Saint-Pierre-des-Corps) in 43' 13''….

U17 : 1. F. Baudouin/J. Le Berre (US Saint-Pierre-des-Corps) in 39'45''…

U19, U23 et seniors : 1. Q. Du Mouza (C'Chartres) and M. Morichon (Team CX Chartres) in 1h 9' 19''; 2. P. Chevalier Baillou (Team U Limoges H) and G. Gauthier (Creuse Oxygène, 1^is U19) at 1' 21''; 3. M. Cacault (A.PO.GE.17) and C. Chavanel (Creuse Oxygène, 2^e U19) at 3' 35''; 4. JB Nivelle (UCC Vivonne) and T. Percevault (CS Chinon) at 4' 03''; 5. R. Delhomme (UA La Rochefoucauld) and L. Langella (CC Marmande) at 5' 34''; 6. P. Camoin and Gaschet (Cycle Poitevin, 3^e U19) 1 round; 7. B. Cotier (Creuse Oxygène) and N. Garnier (V. Naintré, 4^e U19) at 1 t. ; 8. Steve and Sullivan Gaborit (US Saint-Pierre-des-Corps) at 1 t. ; 9. A. Guyon and L. Trichot (UV Poitiers) at 1 t; 10. M. Blampain and E. Fouet (Vélo Sauvage Poitevin) at 2 t. ; 11. David and Mathéo Bonnon (CC Vervant) at 2 t. ; 12. A. Langella and C. Naudon (CC Marmande) at 2 t. ; 13. Jean-Luc (JPC Lussac) and Noam (UV Descartes) Guillon at 2 t. ; 14. Eric (VS Chambraisien) and Stéphane (JPC Lussac) Cron at 2 t. ; 15. A. Cotier and C. Lienard (AC Châtellerault) at 3 t. ; A. Fonteny (JPC Lussac) and R. Marton (CA Civray) at 3 t. ; 17. C. Aubry and J. Raimond (UV Poitiers, 1^re women) at 3 t. ; …20 teams ranked.