Photo by Dave Chiu
Fresh off of another cyclocross weekend is Pavé’s review of all the major action. The big race of the weekend was the World Cup race in Tabor – stay tuned for a special wrap-up of the World Cup race, and until then, take a look at what else happened around the world:
North America
Downeast Cross (C2)
Downeast Cross featured two days of great action in New Gloucester, Maine. Saturday’s race was not a UCI race, but it did provide plenty of action and excitement with a strong New England field. Justin Lindine looked all set to capture his fifth-straight victory until a broken derailleur hanger forced him to run nearly half a lap before he was able to pit and take a new bike. Dylan McNicholas took advantage of Lindine’s mechanical en route to victory. Luke Keough rode a solid race to finish second, and Lindine ended up third.
Sunday’s UCI race had all eyes focused on Lindine. Could the Massachusetts man make it five-straight UCI wins? The cycling Gods seem to have a different plan as Lindine found himself on the ground as part of a pile up that occurred right after the start. Lindine would spend the first three laps battling his way to the front and making contact with a lead group that contained McNicholas, Keough, and Craig Richey – along the way, not shy of asserting himself against larger riders (photo above). Then, he simply rode away with race, beating McNicholas by 26 seconds. Luke Keough finished third, proving that he’s a true podium contender. Same goes for McNicholas, who’s been on the verge of a big result all season and should be proud with an exceptional weekend.
With Sunday’s victory, Lindine has now won five-straight UCI races. Is the occasional mechanical the only thing that can stop him?
Europe
VIII Cyclo-cross de Medina de Pomar (C2)
For the third straight week, a Belgian has captured victory in Spain. First year U23 rider Diether Sweeck made the trip to Pomar narrowly beating Spainard David Riba. Our pick for victory Javier Ibanez rolled across the line in third, almost thirty-seconds behind the leading duo.
GP de la Commune de Contern (C2)
The depth of Belgian cross was nowhere more apparent then in Contern, Luxembourg on Sunday. While the top men and espoirs were racing in Tabor, a large crew of Belgian riders simply dominated the race. The Belgians took 10 of the top 11 spots. Our picks for victory ended up taking the top three spots. Belgian U23 Champion Joeri Adams took the victory ahead of Rob Peeters and last years winner Jan Denuwelaere. The Netherlands Corne Van Kessel was the only non-Belgian to finish in the top-ten, with a solid ninth place finish.
Internationales Radquer Uster (C2)
Lukas Fluckiger picked up the victory in his native Switzerland a head of Belgian Kenneth Van Compernolle, who made his season debut in Uster. Our suprise pick, 34-year old Laurent Colombatto wound up fourth behind Théo Dumanchin.