The Big Picture | Brico Vestingcross Hulst

Vestingcross Hulst is the final UCI race of the season in the Netherlands. Vesting means fortress in dutch, and Hulst is a fortified city. The defining feature of the race is an enormous earthenworks wall (accompanied by a moat) that surrounds the city which the riders ascended/descended twice per lap. Hulst provides a beautiful backdrop for some very dramatic racing.

Spectators lined the top of the wall on one side of the moat where they had a bird's eye view of all the action on the other side of the moat.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Spectators lined the top of the wall on one side of the moat where they had a bird’s eye view of all the action on the other side of the moat. And, of course, there was a windmill too.

Annemarie Worst makes her way across the flat section by the moat.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Annemarie Worst makes her way across the flat section by the moat.

Dutch rider Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado on an off-camber section.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Dutch rider Ceylin Carmen del Alvarado on an off-camber section.

The flag of Flanders flying in Hulst. Hulst is in a region of the Netherlands known as Zeelandic Flanders.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

The flag of Flanders flying in Hulst. Hulst is in a region of the Netherlands known as Zeelandic Flanders.

The women make their way around the bottom of and then up the fortifications.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

The women make their way around the bottom of and then up the fortifications.

Race winner Denise Betsema and third-place finisher Inge van der Heiden.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Race winner Denise Betsema and third-place finisher Inge van der Heiden.

Katie Compton takes a downhill corner on one of the fly-over style ramps.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Katie Compton takes a downhill corner on one of the fly-over style ramps.

Denise Betsema crosses the fly-over while Eva Lechner and Yara Kastelijn crest the hill below.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Denise Betsema crosses the fly-over while Eva Lechner and Yara Kastelijn crest the hill below.

Marion Norbert Riberolle at the top of the massive run-up
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Marion Norbert Riberolle at the top of the massive run-up.

Toon Aerts and Tom Meusen at the start of the men's race.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Toon Aerts and Tom Meusen early in the eerste ronde.

Michael Boros remounts atop the massive run-up.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Michael Boros remounts atop the massive run-up.

Jens Adams, who eventually DNF'd
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Jens Adams, who eventually DNF’d.

The men's field on the massive run-up.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

The men’s field on the massive run-up.

Eric Thompson takes a hairpin bend on his way to the windmill.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Eric Thompson takes a hairpin bend on his way to the windmill.

Tom Pidcock at the top of the second ascent of the fortifications.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Tom Pidcock at the top of the second ascent of the fortifications.

Kevin Pauwels drops in.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Kevin Pauwels drops in.

Dylan Postier on the long ramp to the top of the fortifications.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Dylan Postier on the long ramp to the top of the fortifications.

Laurens Sweeck clears this steep, tricky drop-in/climb-up section without dabbing.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Laurens Sweeck clears this steep, tricky drop-in/climb-up section without dabbing.

Eli Iserbyt used the tall sign at the top of this steep bump to be able to ride it.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Eli Iserbyt used the tall sign at the top of this steep bump to be able to ride it.

Dutch rider Joris Neuwenhuis on the laaste ronde.
© 2019 Ethan Glading

Dutch rider Joris Nieuwenhuis on the laaste ronde.

Follow Ethan on Instagram: @thepenultimatestage

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