Holiday Gift Guide – UCI Cyclocross World Cup Photobook by Balint Hamvas

UCI Cyclocross World Cup 2009-2010, by Balint Hamvas

We’ve had that conversation with family and friends countless times. “What are you up to this weekend?” they ask in the fall. “I’m racing cyclocross.” “Oh, what’s that?” I know, I know – it’s crazy to think that you’d have friends in the fall who don’t know what cyclocross is. Obviously they’re not very good friends – yet. But before you wake them up at dawn to drive them to the race and shove a cowbell into their hand while you pre-ride the course, let them know what’s in store for them.

Balint Hamvas is a Hungarian photographer who’s been shooting the European race circuit for a number of years. Following the 2009-2010 season, he published UCI Cyclocross World Cup: Season 2009-2010, a glossy book of luscious photos from the World Cup schedule that season. Hamvas walks the reader through the season, race by race, with brief recaps, reflections on the weather and the results, and, most importantly, terrific photos of the men’s and women’s races. 

UCI Cyclocross World Cup 2009-2010

It’s got it all – the pain, the glory, the mud, the sand, the snow, the victories, the agonies. Looks of fierce determination. Hollow-eyed fatigue.

UCI Cyclocross World Cup 2009-2010

I keep my copy on the coffee table in my living room. “What’s this?” visitors ask me. “Oh. Remember that weird-and-awesome racing discipline I was telling you about? That’s what it is,” I respond.  They leaf through it, and they start to understand.

Price: 16.99 Euros, about $23 US, available here. 

Pro: Gorgeous photos from an incredible season of cyclocross.

Peeves: A few wide photos are split by the chasm of the binding.

About Whit

My experiences might easily fit many cycling fans' definitions of “living the dream.” Since getting hooked on the sport watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship, I've raced as an amateur on Belgian cobbles, traveled Europe to help build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux. As a former assistant director sportif with Mercury-Viatel, I've also seen the less dreamy side of the sport – the side rife with broken contracts, infighting, and positive dope tests. These days, I live with my lovely wife in Pennsylvania and share my experiences and views on the sport at Bicycling Magazine, the Embrocation Cycling Journal, and at my own site, Pavé.
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