So much of the 'standard' Euro 'cross race footage is focused on the actual race (often the last 2 laps) and comes with a soundtrack of commentators chatting along in an almost monotonic flemish.
However, the following videos are outstanding for a number of reasons. They capture more than just the racing, they have a (sometimes) decent soundtrack, they are amazingly well shot and most importantly they are all about the under-represented Womens Elite races.
Did you know that until this year only the World Cup races were required to have a Womens category, the 3 other major European UCI series had no such requirement. Given that the all-important starting call-up positions are decided by UCI points this is a huge deal.
I'm going to quote directly from CXMag's posts for each of them to emphasise the highlights:
Aigle
Aigle 2010 - 1ère manche de CDM cyclo-cross from Web Petitesreines on Vimeo.
No narration, just ambient sounds, stunning imagery and a glimpse behind the scenes of the top end of cyclocross. The short film has a little of the feel of the classic La Course en Tete, and to watch Sanne van Paassen crank on the trainer is reminiscent of a similar scene with Merckx riding the rollers in his attic.
Plzen
Plzen 2010 - 2nde manche de CDM cyclo cross from Web Petitesreines on Vimeo.
Mixed in you’ll find an explanation of sidewall protection, via sealant, in French (“plus robuste!”), warm-ups and course scouting, mechanics at work…. And the race footage? It’s the Cyclocross Coupe de Monde – oh yeah, it’s awesome. Think that these women don’t give it absolutely everything? Check out the post-race shots of American Sue Butler and others just after the finish line and you’ll quickly change that assessment.
Koksijde
Koksijde - 3ème Manche de CDM cyclo cross 2010/2011 from Web Petitesreines on Vimeo.
The scene now shifts to Koksijde, Belgium, for World Cup Round 3, and there’s plenty of flying sand, bulging muscles, grit and determination.
And that concludes our viewing for today...
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