Cyclo-cross: Occitanie champion, Nîmes native Ludovic Delpech puts the region at his feet

Tested but happy, Ludovic Delpech from Nîmes crossed the line as the winner. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

L'Albigeoise Manon Souyris a mené à sa main l'épreuve féminine. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

On Sunday, December 22, in Vauvert, the resident of Nîmes cyclisme Ludovic Delpech, a mountain bike specialist, won everyone over in cyclo-cross to become the Occitanie champion.

For some riders, the Occitanie cyclo-cross championship was the goal of the season. They had prepared for it. He, on the other hand, decided that he would sign the attendance sheet on Sunday in Vauvert, ''about ten days ago'', says Ludovic Delpech, 28, crowned regional cyclo champion for the first time in his career.

''There, it wasn't too far, some guys from the club were participating. And then, it's a regional championship, after all'', continues the resident of Nîmes Cyclisme.

Struggling to get back, then a great escape

Bib number 19, it was as a mountain bike specialist that Clément's brother showed up at the starting line of the Vauvert route marked out on the retention basin, 2.5 km long and ''physically tiring'', according to the peloton.

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''I really came to test myself and have fun, explains the new regional champion, already winner, at the end of October, of the Gardois Challenge round in La Bastide.I didn't know the whole field, just one or two riders. After the rolling start and one or two laps, you can tell if you're in the race. I must have hurt myself to get back in, at the beginning, then I wanted to race in front, so as not to be bothered in the turns or in the technical parts. Behind, they must have made a few mistakes…''

Manon Souyris, the road rider had fun

The Nîmes rider didn't make any, winner after 50 minutes of effort. He beat two UV Mazamet members: Damien Portet, left 10 seconds behind, and Thibaut Vassal, pushed back to 19. ''It's the best title of my cyclo-cross career'', savors the Gardois.

On a championship day, there is bound to be joy and happiness everywhere. After her success in the women's race, a big smile lit up Manon Souyris' face. The 31-year-old from Albi proved to be the strongest of the nine participants (U19, U23, senior).

''Making myself happy was the goal, Souyris notes. With Maryline Vassal(2nd at 41’’; Montpellier’s Laura Poncet completes the podium, Editor’s note), we rode in cyclo races this season. I had won this title on the road, but it’s true that in cyclo-cross, it’s also nice. The endurance we have on the road helps a lot.''

A round of the Coupe de France in Vauvert in 2026 ?

In Vauvert, talent also helped the Albi Vélo Sport resident, a former high-level rider, former cadet and junior French road champion. She even cycled alongside a certain Demi Vollering, winner of the Tour de France in 2023.
At the national level, in a few months, it could be a question in Vauvert. ''The officials encouraged us to apply for a round of the Coupe de France in 2026'', rejoices the secretary of Vélo Tonic Vauverdois, Frédéric Suraux.

Johan Blanc knows the French and World Cups. On Sunday, the 17-year-old member of Vélo Club Rodez naturally put his stamp on Occitanie, dominating the U19 race.

''I should have done a World Cup round in Ulst (Netherlands) but I had a bit of a setback and I preferred to stay at home and do a regional race'', says the Ruthénois, already looking ahead to the French U19 championship in Pont-Château (Loire-Atlantique), in January 2025.

Full results on the DirectVelo website.