The third edition of Roc d’Ardenne drew well over 1,000 participants
to Houffalize on a cold Sunday morning. Several participants dropped
out because of the biting cold, but 1,300 participants braved the
weather and took the start. Starting in five waves, the mountainbikers
faced a 57-kilometre-long half marathon against the clock.
For the third time Houffalize played host to the Roc d’Ardenne. On
Saturday the Roc Marathon proved to be an epic challenge for more than
a thousand participants.
The Belgian Enduro Championships for the 13-16 age group was normally foreseen over 4 of the7 specials, but the federation now decided that all specials will count for the title as only riders from 15 and 16 have registered.
Houffalize was completely taken over by mountain bikers during the first May weekend. The quaint Ardennes town played host to Roc d’Ardenne, which attracted 4,500 mountain bikers to the beautiful region.
The first two days at Roc d’Ardenne may have been quite dry, but the final day saw buckets of rain soak Houffalize. Octavien Maillard didn’t seem to mind, the Frenchman won the Sunday stage.
Timo Kielich won the Roc d’Ardenne cross country race in the youth category. Julia Boschker came out on top in the girls race and Didi De Vries won in the junior category.
Denmark’s Sören Nissen recorded a back-to-back win in the Roc Marathon at Roc d’Ardenne in Houffalize. The Roc Marathon is part of the UCI World Marathon Series.
Just like in 2014 Belgian Olivier Bruwiere won the Roc Enduro in Houffalize. After 6 specials he had a narrow 2 second lead on Dutchman Jelmer Pietersma and 22 on compatriot Ben Pauwels.
Jimmy Tielens took home the Masters 1 race XCO at Roc d’Ardenne in Houffalize. He held off Gerrit Delfosse.
