Calais Beach Race : La course du dragon

Calais Beach Race: La course du dragon is a bike race held on the sand in Calais, France, alongside the Channel. The event is described as a “dragon of sand and foam.” The course is 90% sand, with wind, soft ground, and the seafront contributing to its difficulty. It is a VTT beach race with categories for different levels, including Beach Kids, a 30 km VTT Beach race, and a 50 km VTT Beach race. The course utilizes Calais beach, situated between the seafront, the pier, and the sea horizon. Riders begin near the lifeguard station, proceed along the pier, and immediately encounter the challenges of cycling on sand: heavy legs, slow progress, and wind gusts that act as an additional competitor. The starting field can range from strong riders to everyday cycling enthusiasts. The race also serves as a FFC Hauts-de-France championship on sand, while remaining open to all participants.