Race Report: César Cup DH 2022 by ThomasChaudeyrac

Louis Marquis sending it sideways on the big table on the parking right in front of the main crowd

Downhill races are common all around the world nowadays. However, Laudun-l'Ardoise's race is a dying breed: the number of races in the Occitanie region in France has dropped significantly, making a race like Laudun a mandatory stop in the regional downhill season for most downhill racers. This year, on May 7th and 8th 2022, Laudun is the only race scheduled in our region. As such, pilots such as Dylan Levesque, Antoine Vidal, Johan Garcin and Mathilde Bernard were here to prepare for Fort William in a few weeks time. Conditions were dry and the race was set to be tight and intense for everyone.

The staff patiently waiting for the opening of the trail at the beginning of the day.

At the beginning of the final day, pilots have one free practice run on the course to warmup and make final settings to their bikes. After that, it is a two-race-runs day that awaits them, the fastest run of both being used for the end result: this is called a "cup format".

Gabin Demoulins is the 10 year old sender from the C sar Bike opening the race as he couldn t race yet due to his young age

Gabin Demoulin is the 10 year old sender from the César Bike, opening the race as he couldn't race yet due to his young age.

After Gabin's run, the course was set and the race could begin. Seat back and enjoy the shots to get into the race and feel what it was like to be here in Laudun for this now-legendary event in our region.

Antoine Vidal just a few seconds after the start of his first race run of the day.

Lisa Bouladou making the turn successfuly in one of the most slippery sections of the track.

The dust and grip were loose this weekend. This rider felt it the hard way on the top of the course.

Sacha Brizin going high above the crowd on the parking's jumps.

Close up action for Lucas Benevens making his way to the end of the race.

Elliot Vallon focused on one of the most technical parts of the track.

Louis Gaillet grazing the landing to carry speed into a tricky part of the track : "La Ruine".

Antoine Vidal sliding out of a corner with style.

Ma l Anglade hovering over the famous road gap to score a 20th position overall

Maël Anglade hovering over the famous road gap to score a 20th position overall.

Julien Vendries aka TchoukTV speaking at the microphone as the pilots go by on the two table on the parking lot.

Elliot Vallon scrubbing the table after the road gap

Speed wasn t an issue after the ruin for Dylan Levesque schralping and sliding out of one of the best corners on the course

Dylan Levesque carrying crazy speed heading in the final section of the track

A few more turns before the end of the race for Johan Garcin.

Gabin Bergel from Team US Cagnes whipping it all weekend long to finish 16th overall!

For some reasons couldn't capture the podium, so here is even better: a live action podium!

Dylan Levesque calmly making it into first overall

Antoine Vidal styling while flying through the hill into 2nd

3rd place for Johan Garcin

Results

Men Overall

1st. LEVESQUE Dylan (FRA) — 1:36:70
2nd. VIDAL Antoine (FRA) — 1:37:64
3rd. GARCIN Johan (FRA) — 1:39:14

Women Overall

1st. BERNARD Mathilde (FRA) — 1:54:69
2nd. BOULADOU Lisa (FRA) — 1:56:14
3rd. BONNAURE Laïs (FRA) — 2:05:26

Full Results

As it began, the 19th edition of the César Cup DH race ended on Sunday, May 8th, after a beautiful weekend full of racing, crashes, good memories and laughs. This race truly is part of a dying breed. The organization and pilots hope for the best in the future as they would love to see new races pop up, and show that DH racing is not dead in our region. See you next year all of you!

Words and photos by Thomas CHAUDEYRAC

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