Bayeux cyclo-cross – Third round of the Normandy Cup

Sunday January 5, 2025

Great show

The Bayeux cyclo-cross served as the setting for the third round of the Normandy cyclo-cross Cup. 220 runners over the entire day (five races) were present for this meeting organized by AC Bayeux headed by President Sébastien Lebugle and Jean Crosville. Given the weather conditions of the previous night and a very wet start to the morning, the circuit was made very greasy, which did not make the task of the competitors any easier.

He was the big favorite among the cadets (U 17). Elouan Vincent (Flers Cyclisme 61) did not fail in his task. Perfectly controlling the situation to contain Thomas Chesnel (VC Bocage-Vire) who was a tough opponent. Initially, Kimmi Letouzé (UC Bricquebec) and Thimoté Mary (Flers Cyclisme 61) accompanied Vincent and Chesnel but they could not keep up the pace. Falling in the first lap but quickly recovering, Chesnel did not leave his rival's wheel. The match seemed indecisive but Vincent knew how to save the best of his strength for the end and was able to take a short but clear advantage on the road part. Only eight seconds separated them after thirty minutes of effort. Elouan Vincent remains undefeated in Normandy and continues a faultless run in Normandy with three successes in the Normandy Cup in three rounds. “I managed my efforts. I wasn't necessarily all in. I made the difference on the road section.”

Great success for the junior category (U 15) with 24 runners at the start. A peloton where we found basic practitioners who already demonstrated great vitality. Unsurprisingly, Aaron Codabay (AS Tourlaville) took command after only a few minutes of racing. But that was without taking into account the anger of Nathan Roussel (VC La Ferté-Macé) – who is none other than the son of Julien Roussel – who struggled to catch up and finally join the leader before taking the lead. ascending. Suspense guaranteed when the latter secured a lead of around thirty meters. Keeping his resources intact, the Normandy champion reversed the trend and was able to show his satisfaction, ultimately leaving Nathan Roussel two lengths behind. His tenth victory this winter but the hardest to acquire.

The afternoon started with the U19s, the ladies and the masters over 50s. 17 runners at the start of a race where the roles were distributed early. Big favorite, Noah Marchand (VC Bocage-Vire) wondered “how his body would react” two days after participating in the UCI cyclo-cross in Kokjide, Belgium, in the sand. His doubts were quickly swept away. Running at a good pace, making do with obstacles while controlling his trajectories to establish his superiority, he was not worried even if Martin Levillain (VC Saint-Lô Pont-hébert) came within forty seconds, which made him an honorable runner-up. But the young Calvadosian was above the fray, largely consolidating his leadership position before the Bernay final at the end of January. Behind, Charlie Dugay (Moyon-Percy) dropped back due to a broken chain, forcing him to do a bit of running before changing bikes. At the same time, he lost his third place to Gérard Bramoullé (VC Canton Les Pieux). The latter, leader among masters over 50, completed the podium.

Among the ladies, in the absence of Gwenning Le Dantec (CC Marmandais), Hugoline Roger (VC La Ferté-Macé), Pauline Bramoullé (AS Tourlaville) and Elisa Duchemin (ESM Gonfreville-l'Orcher) found themselves in the fight for victory. Second in Athis-de-l'Orne, 3rd in Mondeville, Hugoline Roger flew through the debates. She did a double blow, winning this round and now leader of the Normandy Cup. A great performance for the woman, who, at 28 years old, is only competing in her second cyclo-cross season. For her part, Elisa Duchemin (ESM Gonfreville-l'Orcher), leader among the junior ladies, completed the podium.

The main event of the day, that of the Elite men, U 23 and masters under 40, closed the program for this third round. In the absence of Norman number one Cyprien Gilles (Team Guevel) but also of Maxence Lemardelé (VC Saint-Lô) and Killyan Levéel (ES Caen), those who are his usual outsiders this time took the race on their own. In this little game, Joris Lepoittevin (Moyon-Percy) did not miss his chance. “Today, the legs were good, I had good feelings. It's true that the circuit was muddy but that didn't bother me too much. However, it is not on this type of circuit that I am necessarily comfortable.” Starting with three from the first hectometers, it was Sohan Herpin (Moyon-Percy), still a junior last year, who took the initiative and was in the lead for a long time. But without having any free rein, with only fifteen seconds ahead of his teammate Joris Lepoittevin and twenty over Steven Delprat (VC La Ferté-Macé), recent winner in Beauchêne. It became apparent from halfway through the race that the fate of the race could no longer escape the two runners from Moyon-Percy. Often at ease at the end of the race and still able to finish strong, Lepoittevin kept his resources intact, grabbed ground and, in a last effort, overtook his young teammate on one of the last descents of the circuit. “Sohan was strong today but I never panicked.” Often placed, he concretized his current good form, he who had obtained three top 20 in the Coupe de France and a good third place in the Normandy championship. His first victory in the Normandy Cup among the Elites, he who has already won the final classification five times among the young people.