2024 French Cup | Rounds 5 & 6 Mours
6th – 7th July
Written by Damien Ethalon
Photo’s by Kaptur Photography. Purchase shots from the French Cup HERE (Click the photos to see the full album)
2024 French Cup | Rounds 5 & 6 Mours
6th – 7th July
Written by Damien Ethalon
Photo’s by Kaptur Photography. Purchase shots from the French Cup HERE (Click the photos to see the full album)
The French Cup circuit returned in Mours on July 6th and 7th for two more rounds! Mours is famous on the racing scene as it used to host UEC European rounds back in the day. It’s a 5m hill track with a slight downhill profile which makes it very fast. It’s also typically French … very technical with steep and sharp jumps. Thankfully we were spared any weather delays, or cancellations, this time out … a true full weekend of racing action.
On the women side of the draw, the queen of BMX was in town, and easily won on Saturday. We’re obviously talking about Mariana Pajon! It was a training weekend for Mariana who came to get some race rhythm. She chose not to line up on Sunday, leaving the door open for Camille Maire to grab another victory this year after finishing 5th on Saturday. Four other women made the main on both days with Lea Brindjonc being the most consistent with a 4th and a 3rd. Meanwhile Emma Patraccone almost did the same, with a 3rd and a 5th.
Zoé Hapka was flying on day one, Saturday, finishing 2nd behind Mariana, but had to settle for 7th on Sunday, but still a very convincing weekend for her. French national champ Charlotte Devolder was back after an injury and racked up a 7th and 4th.
Another remarkable performance was Naelle Michaud’s 2nd place on Sunday, her first ever elite podium. Charlotte Morot and Jodie Viemont also showed they’re still in the game with a 6th for each. Celia Bonnet crashed in the main on day one and was unfortunately a DNS on day two. Ines Claessens, Zoé’s younger sister, also found her way till the main on Sunday.
We are sending positive thoughts to Belgian rider Elke van Hoof, who suffered a nasty crash during Saturday’s practice and will now miss the Olympic games. We hope to see back on the bike soon!
Elite Women Results Saturday:
1. Mariana PAJON
2. Zoé HAPKA
3. Emma PATRACCONE
4. Lea BRINDJONC5
5. Camille MAIRE
6. Jodie VIEMONT
7. Charlotte DEVOLDER
8. Celia BONNET
Elite Women: Sunday
1. Camille MAIRE
2. Naelle MICHAUD
3. Lea BRINDJONC
4. Charlotte DEVOLDER
5. Emma PATRACCONE
6. Charlotte MOROT
7. Zoé HAPKA
8. Ines CLAESSENS
Ranking after 5 Rounds:
1. Lea BRINDJONC 242 pts
2. Camille MAIRE 203 pts
3. Emma PATRACCONE 192 pts
4. Charlotte DEVOLDER 172 pts
5. Naelle MICHAUD 131 pts
As Always, the Elite Men’s class was stacked in the French Cup, even without the three French Olympians. But, it was the Olympic alternate, and newly crowned UEC European Champion, Arthur Pilard, who won both days. Behind Pils, two guys followed each other all weekend long. On the podium for day one, with 2nd, was Jeremy Rencurel, but a little further back in the main on Sunday in 6th. Eddy Clerte landed on the 3rd step on Saturday but finished in 7th on Sunday.
Two other riders also had a very consistent weekend. Nathanael Dieuaide who is back on form with two solid 4th place finishes, and ranking leader, the Kiwi Michael Bias who finished 5th on Saturday but found his way to the box on day two with a solid 3rd.
Théo Thouin also made both mains finishing 6th and 8th. Mathis Ragot Richard struggled a little on Saturday but regrouped on Sunday finishing in 2nd place behind Pilard, a recap of Verona a few weeks ago. Simba Darnand also made a main appearance with a 5th on Sunday. Hugo Marszalek and French National Champion Corentin Dubois also made appearances in the main on Saturday, finishing 7th and 8th.
And of course, we can’t leave without thinking of Romain Mayet who has been diagnosed with cancer but is fighting and will return. We wish him a lot of strength, and a fast recovery!
Elite Men: Satday
1. Arthur PILARD
2. Jeremy RENCUREL
3. Eddy CLERTE
4. Nathanael DIEUAIDE
5. Michael BIAS6
6. Theo THOUIN
7. Hugo MARZALEK
8. Corentin DUBOIS
Elite Men: Sunday
1. Arthur PILARD
2. Mathis RAGOT RICHARD
3. Michael BIAS
4. Nathanael DIEUAIDE
5. Simba DARNAND
6. Jeremy RENCUREL
7. Eddy CLERTE
8. Theo THOUIN
Ranking after 5 Rounds:
1. Michael BIAS 300 pts
2. Arthur PILARD 294 pts
3. Jeremy RENCUREL 257 pts
4. Corentin DUBOIS 206 pts
5. Simba DARNAND 201 pts
The French cup will be back in two months, when we will be in Guipavas, on the Atlantic coast, on September 21st and 22nd. Before that, we have the small matter of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games!