After two bone-dry World Cup in 2017, the 2018 edition of Jingle Cross did not disappoint in providing Belgian-like cyclocross conditions. A week of rain that lasted through the weekend made the course muddy and slick for the entire weekend of racing.
Photographer Dave Mable was at Jingle Cross to help with our coverage of the three days of racing. He submitted a gallery of photos that capture the racing action and its aftermath from Saturday's World Cup and Sunday's C1.
Kaitie Keough crests the Mt. Krumpit run-up. 2018 Jingle Cross World Cup. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
We have seen the end product of Mable's photos and interviews, but we asked him what it was like shooting the two World Cups for Cyclocross Magazine.
"While shooting any sport is exciting and the goal of any photographer is to tell the story of the race and bring the viewer into the competition, shooting cyclocross has the added elements of the course and weather," Mable said. "Not only must riders battle each other in a game of fitness and strategy, but they must also have the skills—and sometimes luck—to battle the hills, mud, sand, rain, wind, stairs and whatever else the day throws at them."
"To be able to tell the story of not only the race but of the guts, the depth that each cyclist must go just to finish, the story of how much it hurts, how great it feels to finish and just how much it took to get there, as a photographer, it’s both a challenge and an honor to try and tell this story."
Kerry Werner raced hard both Saturday and Sunday and had the mud to show for it. 2018 Jingle Cross World Cup. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
See Mable's story in the photo gallery below.
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Dave Mable Photo Gallery: 2018 Jingle Cross World Cup
Toon Aerts grabs the holeshot in the Men’s World Cup. 2018 Jingle Cross World Cup. © D. Mable / Cyclocross Magazine
