The grounds of the Ch\u00e2teau de Flamanville get their turn in the World Cup again this year, a familiar stage for a race that long lived on the Coupe de France calendar. The tiny village on Normandy\u2019s west coast \u2014 home to just 1,800 peeps \u2014 sits deep in the Cotentin, a peninsula counted among France\u2019s r\u00e9gions naturelles. Offshore are the Channel Islands, British Crown possessions known more for tax law than cycling; on land, Flamanville is better known for its three nuclear reactors. But, hey, that\u2019s another story.<\/p>\n
The race itself threads across the ch\u00e2teau estate. It first appeared in 2007 in the regional Coupe de Normandie. From there, Cyclocross en Cotentin climbed to national status and, by 2013, joined the pro ranks as part of the Coupe de France. Its peak came in January 2020, when the French national championships landed in the village.<\/p>\n
Flamanville made its World Cup debut in 2022, a partnership Flanders Classics still looks back on fondly. The series returned the next year, with the penultimate round offering tight, entertaining racing and plenty of praise from riders. \u201cIn France, you\u2019re always dealing with very professional organisers who know the drill thanks to the Coupe de France,\u201d says Flanders Classics\u2019 Chris Mannaerts. \u201cAnd the crowds are always decent.\u201d<\/p>\n
After two World Cup stops, the event dipped back to the Coupe de France for a year while Besan\u00e7on filled the slot. Now, Flamanville returns once more.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a very picturesque \u2014 but hard \u2014 course. National champion Maghalie Rochette won\u2019t be there. She had a quick journey to Europe for the first World Cup in Czechia, along with Sidney McGill and Cameron Jette.<\/p>\n