Cyclocross Weekend Preview 9/30

2010 NACT CX Round 8

Photo: Natalia Boltukhova/Pedal Power Photography/2010

North America

NEPCX – Gran Prix of Gloucester (C1/C2)

The cross collective will focus all of their attention towards Gloucester, MA for two days of UCI racing in the heart of New England. As usual, the “New England World Championships” will host one of the strongest fields in the country. The European invasion continues with Belgians Tim Van Nuffle and Ben Berden. Swiss National Champion Christian Heule will be out along with his countryman, Lukas Muller. Many-times Danish National Champion Joachim Parbo (Challenge Tires) will be making his return to Gloucester and the UK’s Ian Field (Hargroves Cycles) will try to add another win to his already successful US trip.

Not to be out done by the Europeans, it’s virtually a who’s who of North American talent. Canadian Mike Garrigan (Lapierre Canada) will be there along with Americans Ted King (Liquigas-Cannondale), Adam Myerson (SmartStop/MOB p/b Ridley) and Justin Lindine (Bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage). The battle between Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers continues, with both riders bringing troops for the fight. Johnson will be backed up by Heule and Jamey Driscoll, while Powers brings Zach McDonald and Chris Jones for some added firepower.

Europe

Vlaamse Insutrieprijs Bosduin (C1)

Kalmthout, Belgium will host the last tune up race before the European season begins in earnest next weekend. All the big names will be there, minus Zdenek Stybar, who is suffering from some knee pain and will not toe the start line. It will probably be an all Belgian affair with the likes of Kevin Pauwels, Niels Albert and Sven Nys taking the start. Fellow Belgians Rob Peeters and Bart Wellens will be in Kalmthout after a successfull early season campaign in the US. It will be a good test to see if their field trip to the States paid off. 

Cyclocross International Prodbrezova (C2), Trofeo Rigoni di Asiago (C2) and Finish National Championships (CN)

The Czech Republic (Prodbrezova ) and Italy (Asiago) will play host to C2 races this weekend. Martin Zlamalik is the favorite in Prodbrezova after picking up a victory last weekend at round two of the Toi Toi Cup. The race in Asiago promises to be an all Italian affair with everyone trying to get a good start to the season. Look for Enrico Franzoi to pick up the victory. Finland will be the first country to crown its 2011/2012 National Champion in Kerava this weekend. All eyes will be on defending champion Kimmo Kananen.

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One Response to Cyclocross Weekend Preview 9/30

  1. Michelle says:

    The Elite Women's field at Gloucester is the largest in the US this fall with 46 confirmed starters, including top European and American talent.

    Helen Wyman (Kona/FSA Factory Team) is sure to be looking for a 6th consecutive victory on US soil before going home. In her first 5 races, she gapped the field from the line and held it to the finish. Gloucester's concentration of talent from both New England and the Mid-Atlantic may be her first true battle; then again, the course's big elevation changes may be just another stage for the Wyman solo show.

    I'll peg the New England posse of Andrea Smith (LadiesFirst Racing), Sally Annis (crossresults.com p/b JRA cycles), Sara Breznik-Zocci (Embrocationcycling.com), and Mo Bruno Roy (Bob's Red Mill pb Seven Cycles) to give Wyman a run for her money. They're fast, smart, and have been racing this course for years. Add former downhill pro, competitive stand-up paddle boarder, and mother of two Nicole Duke (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) to the mix, and strong teamwork could make any of them contenders for the top spot.

    Laura Van Gilder (Mellow Mushroom) may have racked up most of her career victories in criterium sprints, but in recent years she's shown her mastery of cyclocross racing as well. At Charm City's Day 2 race, she and Belgian Joyce Vanderbeken (Cycling Team Vermeeren) came into the last lap racing for 2nd and 3rd. Though Van Gilder was confident in her sprint, she chose to attack Vanderbeken before the long paved uphill stretch and came to the line solo. Not the "winningest woman in US cycling" for nothing.

    Carolyn Popovic (Team CF) called her 7th place finish a "learning experience" regarding tire choice and pressure. She used those lessons to nab a the 3rd podium spot at Rochester. Look for her, teammate Nikki Thiemann (Team CF), and Arley Kemmerer (C3 – Athletes Serving Athletes) to be on the attack this weekend.

    With Vanderbeken absent, Gabby Day (Renner Custom Clothing) and 2010 French CX Champion Caroline Mani (BH-SuntourVienne Futuroscope) hold the fort in representing World Cup regulars in the US this early season. A newcomer to watch is Stacey Barbossa (Elite Endurance), who used her mountain bike and triathlon (i.e. mud and pain) backgrounds to take her first elite women's victory last Sunday at Whirlybird Cross.

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