Critérium international de cross cyclo-pédestre

Sport Cycling
Competition Category Unofficial World Championships
Years 1924—1949
Editions 20
Competitors 262
Countries 9

As the cyclo-cross form of cycling grew in popularity in the early 20th century, various nations started holding national championships. France was the first in 1902, followed by Belgium (1910), Switzerland (1912) and Luxembourg (1920). As the UCI showed no signs of staging an international championship, this gap was filled by UVF, the French cycling federation, and L’Auto, the same newspaper that had initiated the Tour de France. In 1924 they organised the first Critérium international de cross cyclo-pédestre. It included competitors from the four aforementioned nations, as well as Italy.

These same five nations would deliver the majority of competitors during the 20 editions of the Critérium, although other nations occasionally sent a delegation, notably Spain and the Netherlands. With the exception of the two war-time editions, participation was limited to four competitors per country. 19 editions were held in the vicinity of Paris, with 12 editions on a course near Suresnes, around the Mont Valérien hill.

The Critérium was last held in 1949, and was succeeded in 1950 by the inaugural World Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Editions

Year Host City Country Held Events Competitors Countries
1924 Suresnes FRA 17 February 1924 1 16 5
1925 Suresnes FRA 8 February 1925 1 16 5
1926 Suresnes FRA 7 February 1926 1 19 5
1928 Paris FRA 5 February 1928 1 18 6
1929 Suresnes FRA 3 February 1929 1 20 6
1930 Suresnes FRA 2 February 1930 1 22 7
1931 Suresnes FRA 8 February 1931 1 18 8
1932 Suresnes FRA 7 February 1932 1 22 7
1933 Suresnes FRA 5 February 1933 1 15 5
1934 Paris FRA 4 February 1934 1 17 6
1935 Suresnes FRA 3 February 1935 1 24 6
1936 Paris FRA 9 February 1936 1 17 5
1937 Paris FRA 7 February 1937 1 19 5
1938 Suresnes FRA 6 February 1938 1 19 5
1939 Suresnes FRA 5 February 1939 1 18 5
1941 Paris FRA 2 March 1941 1 52 2
1942 Suresnes FRA 8 March 1942 1 66 4
1947 Muhlenbach LUX 9 February 1947 1 18 5
1948 Paris FRA 8 February 1948 1 20 5
1949 Plateau de Gravell FRA 3 March 1949 1 20 5

Medal table

Pos Country 🥇 Gold 🥈 Silver 🥉 Bronze Total
1 France FRA 15 10 8 33
2 Belgium BEL 4 7 6 17
3 Luxembourg LUX 1 1 1 3
4 Switzerland SUI 0 2 2 4
5 Italy ITA 0 0 3 3