The 2016 European Cyclocross Championships men's race in Pontchâteau, France delivered surprisingly warm, dusty conditions, cohesive, effective team tactics from the Belgians and a surprise winner. Less surprising were the faces at the front early in the race and a podium battle between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert.
We've got a full photo gallery of the race below, along with full video and two highlights videos. Consider this your opener for Tuesday. Warm up those ears to the Euro names before tomorrow's Koppenberg live coverage.
The Pontchâteau location is no stranger to top-level cyclocross, having hosted a stop on the World Cup circuit. Long-time fans might remember Jeremy Powers' holeshot at the World Cup in 2011.
Full 2016 UEC European Cyclocross Championships results are here.
Michael Vanthourenhout pushed the pace early. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
France's Venturini was an early aggressor. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Mathieu van der Poel hopped the barriers to the delight of fans. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Toon Aerts going clear on his way to win the title. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Aerts, your new 2016 European Cyclocross Champion. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
Van der Poel, Aerts and Van Aert. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
2016 European Cyclocross Championships - Elite Men's Video Highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siwCLRd9ukQ
2016 European Cyclocross Championships - Elite Men's Video Highlights #2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPia7CmhJfk
2016 European Cyclocross Championships - Elite Men's Full Video (Plus Bonus Travel Footage):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZLJDb95cG0
2016 European Cyclocross Championships - Elite Men's Photo Gallery:
Lars van der Haar has been on the upswing, and showed himself at the front. Elite Men, 2016 European Cyclocross Championships UEC. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine
