Cyclocross Predictions – Week 17

Posted on December 29, 2012 by
Albert and Pauwels on the run-up in Ronse. Photo: belga.

Albert and Pauwels on the run-up in Ronse. Photo: belga.

First and foremost, an apologies for a lack of content this week. I’ve been in Belgium for over a week now traveling to all the races, climbing some of the most famous climbs and doing some sightseeing. I return to the states next Wednesday, where things will get back to normal. I’ve also had a laptop start to die on me. Keep following us on twitter and follow me (@erikdmitchell) for some behind the scenes stuff.

It’s another weekend without racing in the US, and there’s just three races in Europe, so these predictions should be relatively short. Today, there’s a smaller race in Bredene, near the coast in Belgium. Despite that, all the big names will be there. Tomorrow there’s the infamous Diegem round of the Superprestige series. This race is in the heart of Diegem under the lights at night. There’s also the GP 5 Sterne Region race in Switzerland. Here’s how I think things will shake out:

Versluys Cyclocross Berdene (C2)

The Winner

Sven Nys – after a horrific day in Loenhout, Nys is probably more focused on Diegem, than on Bredene. However, Nys only has one win over the past two weeks and I think another one is right up his alley, even if it’s at a smaller race.

The Podium

Zdenek Stybar – “Styby” has been in the thick of things in the few races that he’s done this year. I expect him to be in the mix in Bredene, but for some reason I like Nys’ odds over his.

Niels Albert – after an emphatic victory in Loenhout, I expect Albert to continue to push hard this weekend. However, I don’t see him winning today.

Superprestige Diegem (C1)

The Winner

Niels Albert – I expect Albert’s winning streak in Diegem to continue on Sunday. The World Champion has started to get over his mental block when it comes to Nys and I think he wants to prove he’s still the best. Look for him to pick up his fourth straight Diegem win.

The Podium

Sven Nys – “Holy Week” has been a bit of a struggle for Nys as he’s only managed one victory. While I think he’ll give it his all in Diegem, I just don’t think it’s his night.

Zdenek Stybar – Styby won Diegem once (2008) and sometimes skips this race. I expect him to be there on Sunday and should make things interesting. However, I expect a win to continue to elude him as Albert and Nys battle for the Superprestige overall.

GP 5 Sterne Region (C2)

With no start list available, usually I take a gamble and guess at the podium. With all the riders all over the place lately, that’s a hard risk to take. My guess is Enrico Franzoi would win, but he could easily be in Diegem, as could Simon Zahner, who’s riding very well right now. One of the Fluckiger brothers could make it interesting, but so could some Czech riders who usually travel to Switzerland. If I had to choose, I’d say Franzoi, Zahner and Lukas Fluckiger.

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2013 US World’s Team – Elite Women

Posted on December 20, 2012 by

louisville2013

We continue our preview of the American team at World’s with the Elite Women. Much like the Elite Men, the Elite Women should start the maximum number of riders at Worlds. For the Elite Women, the teams are made up of eight riders, with five starting. Also like the men, one rider (Katie Compton) has dominated this season and occupies a lot of the automatic qualifying spots.

However, Compton currently leads the UCI World Cup, which will give her an automatic spot and the US an additional spot. This means that the US could start six riders. The only other rider to automatically qualify thus far is Kaitlin Antonneau, leaving seven spots open on the US squad.

2013 World Championship Qualification – US Elite Women

  1. Any athlete placing in the top three at the 2012 World Championships.
    • n/a
  2. Top five finish in a UCI World Cup.
    • Katie Compton (already qualifies if leads UCI World Cup)
  3. The 2013 US National Champion
    • n/a (Compton has won every year since 2005)
  4. Top ten finish in a UCI World Cup.
    • Kaitlin Antonneau
  5. Most points accumulated in US UCI C1 races:
    • Katie Compton (already qualified)
  6. USAC Discretionary Picks
    • Amy Dombroski – Dombroski made the jump to Europe this year as part of the Telenet-Fidea team, yes, that Telenet-Fidea team. In addition to being the third ranked American rider in terms of UCI points, Dombroski has been knocking on the door of a huge result. In fact, Dombroski will most likely earn an automatic spot by finishing inside the top-ten at a World Cup (she was 11th at the past two rounds). If that doesn’t happen, she’ll still be a favorite to make the team.
    • Meredith Miller – Miller has done it all throughout her career including a national road title in 2009 and a top-ten at MTB nationals this summer. She’s also represented the US at Worlds the past two seasons (she finished 20th in 2011). At 40-years-old, Miller remains one of the older races in the cross contingent, but continues to dominate the competition. In the past year, she’s only finished outside the top-ten twice.
    • Georgia Gould – in addition to being a world class moutain bikers, Gould just wrapped up the overall in the USGP. She’s also the fifth ranked US rider in UCI points. Gould would most likely delay her mountain bike season for a shot at worlds since it’s not an olympic year.
    • Nicole Duke – another strong rider, Duke has only finished outside the top-20 once this year. She’s a regular podium threat and has several top-20 finishes at the big European races. She landed on the podium at nationals last year and will look to do the same this January.
    • Maureen Bruno Roy – stateside, “Mo” has only finished outside the top ten twice. She was just outside the top-20 at the first two World Cup rounds and has a couple of podium appearances in New England’s early season races. Last year she found success during “Holy Week” in Belgium at prestigious races such as Diegem and the GP Rouwmer.
    • Crystal Anthony – another rider who’s a bit further down the list than most, Anthony should not be overlooked. She spent the season mixing it up with the likes of Gabby Day and Helen Wymann in New England. She had consistent results in the NEPCX and won the VERGE NECCS series.
    • Teal Stetson-Lee – if she would have finished the final round of the USGP, she would have been top five overall, instead she’ll have to settle for sixth. While not high in UCI points (ninth American), she’s had a solid and competitive season.
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Jeremy Durrin Interview

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

 

The New England region is known for producing great cyclists, especially when it comes to cyclocross. Riders like Jonathan Page, Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson have cut their teeth on the New England cross circuit. Jeremy Durrin is one of a handful of riders who are following in their footsteps in hopes of racing at the highest level of cross. We first noticed Durrin when he popped up at a World Cup race in Spain last winter. After a solid road season, Durrin is back at it this fall and has continued to improve.

A week or so before this interview, Durrin won his first UCI race at Baystate Cross in Sterling, MA. The day we conducted this interview, via email, the Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies announced Durrin as part of their 2013 lineup. However, before he joins his new team, he’ll head back to Europe for Holy Week in hopes of making the 2013 US World’s team. Clearly, Durrin is a rider on the rise and it appears that next fall he will be racing cross as a full on pro either with Optum or another high profile team.

For those who don’t know, tell us about how you got started in cycling in general and cross.

I got into cycling after I graduated from high school. I was an avid baseball player in high school and after graduation I didn’t continue with it. I was going to college, and for a year I wasn’t doing any sort of sport. A friend of mine got me a really old Cannondale to use with downtube shifters. I started riding with him, and found myself really into the speed and how hard it was. I bought a bike that next year and started “training” and loving every second of it.

Tell us about your team, JAM Fund/North Hampton Cycling Club. (As previously mentioned, Durrin will join the Optum Pro Cycling team for 2013)

JAM Fund is a team started by Jeremy Powers, Alec Donahue, and Mukunda Feldman in the Northampton, MA area. It started small with a big vision in mind. Luckily I was there when it all started and I was the “original Jammer”. The goal of J.A.M. is to help motivated, young cyclists reach their potential both on and off the bike while not being limited by finances. I met with Jeremy Powers when I first moved to the area to go to school at UMass Amherst. From there, the three founders were amazing mentors for me. Anyone who has known me over the past 4 years can tell you just how much I have developed not only on the bike, but also off the bike. Having good mentors that offer a lot more than on the bike training is very important. They are the reason for my success, and I can not thank them enough.

The sausage tent in full effect.

The sausage tent in full effect.

Last season I was looking at the World Cup start list for Iggore (Spain) I believe, and I saw Jonathan Page’s name then yours. How did that trip come about?

Well, that was a big trip that came about after the beginning of my cross season was going much better than anticipated. I realized that I had some potential in the sport rather quickly, so I had to think about the bigger goal of how to get a lot better and reach the top of the US cyclocross scene. I found fun ways to raise money for the trip like running a sausage tent at my local UCI race in Northampton MA and connected with the Europeans who traveled here to race in the US for the early season, namely Gabby Day. Once I got some basic logistics figured out, I decided to go for it… It was a giant adventure getting to Spain and then up to Belgium afterwards, but looking back they are some of the most exciting memories I have from the trip.

Obviously everything is different in Europe, what was the biggest thing you learned over there racing or otherwise?

I learned a lot about fixing my own bike! haha. But seriously, I learned a lot about technical riding while I was over there. I think at the beginning of my trip I was SO TERRIBLE at technically driving my bike, but by the end I got the hang of it because if you didn’t figure it out fast you get eaten alive in those races.

Durrin in action at the Mayors Cup in Boston, MA.

Durrin in action at the Mayors Cup in Boston, MA.

How did this years road season go?

This years road season was more successful than I could have ever envisioned it. I set a goal of getting top tens in NRC races and winning local races. I completed all the goals I set out for myself. I put a lot on the line by traveling to big races all by myself and competing with some of the best pros in the business. My breakout race was at the USA Crits race in Lake Bluff Chicago where I initiated a breakaway that lapped the field and I finished in second place. Hard work really feels good when it pays off.

 

You have a full time job with VOmax Cycling Clothing, tell us about the company and what you do there? And yes, I’ll make sure your boss sees this.

VOmax is a clothing company in Northampton, MA that manufactures in the US, 10 feet from my office actually. Its a unique business as its been around for 30 years and is now coming back strong into the mix of the top competitors like Voler and Champ-sys.

I work in marketing running the website, social media, sponsorships… and a lot more. I wear a lot of hats and am actively trying to help grow the company with new initiatives and new and better products. I find the job extremely rewarding when I show up to a race and see a bunch of clubs racing in our gear.

How do you balance a full time job with a budding road and cross career?

VOmax is really cool about letting me have a flexible schedule and taking time off. I work 7:30am-3:00pm everyday. So in the summer I just ride after work…. In the winter its a lot harder and I am not able to ride as late after work, so my riding time goes down unless I want to stomach riding the trainer all the time. In the early season for base, the company usually allows me some flexibility so I can get my 4-6 hour rides in. The more business that I personally bring in, the more flex time they give me! ;-)

Let’s get back to this cross season and the tough questions.

What were your expectations coming into this cross season?

My expectations for this season was to be able to fight for the win in most races that I enter, and to finish on the podium of a New England cross series. I have won a race in Sterling and have numerous second place finishes. So I would say that its going according to plan.

Powers and Durrin battle at Nittany Cross.

Powers and Durrin battle at Nittany Cross.

I spoke with Jeremy Powers at Nittany after you guys went one-two and in our conversation he mentioned you as an up and coming rider. How does that make you feel when you hear that?

That feels really good for him to say that about my potential. I work pretty closely with him most of the year (and actually live in the apartment below his that he owns) and for him to say that makes me feel good. It also adds a lot of pressure, as the cyclocross fields are getting stronger and stronger each year so I need to prove him right!

The New England cross scene seems incredibly deep this year, from Powers, Tim Johnson, Jamie Driscoll to Justin Lindine, Dan Timmerman, what has it been like to race against those guys week in and week out?

Its brutal to tell you the truth. Week in and week out you are racing with the best the country has to offer. Its filled with ups and down, good and bad races. But at the end of the day, its very rewarding to even be able to be competing with these guys. 2 years ago I couldn’t have imagined the pace at which I would progress, and now I’m close to that level and it feels really good. When you are competing with the top every weekend, having an “off” day hurts a lot more than it used to when you were competing for mid pack.

What was it like to win a UCI race? Did you do anything different heading into Sterling, or was it just a case of everything coming together?

To win a UCI race was extremely fulfilling and makes me so happy to have finally made it to the top step. I didn’t do anything different before Sterling. I have been playing around with training and trying to find what works well for me. The week prior I had a GREAT week of training on the bike and I was very motivated coming into the weekend. So I think it was just one of those days where everything came together and I was fully prepared for it with the training I did. That course is one of my favorites.

You’re heading back to Europe this week for the rest of the year, what does your schedule over there look like?

I fly to London initially where Gabby Day will pick me and head back to her place in a small village in Lincolnshire. We have a big training block for about 5-7 days before heading across the channel for the first race at Essen, the day before the Namur World Cup. So my schedule is as follows: 12/22- Essen, 12/23 Namur WC, 12/26 Zolder WC, 12/28 Loenhout, 12/29 Bredene, 12/30 Diegem (my favorite race ever).

What did you learn last year in Europe that will help you this time around?

I have learned that not matter what happens in the race to just keep focus and keep racing your race. The races over there are so much more technical than any races in the US that you need to be able to do 60 mins fully focused. Once you lose the “zone” you need to be in when racing, the mistakes come and they come very fast. I also learned that its important to be able to run really fast.

providence-1
Okay, now time for the real tough questions:

Your teammate Anthony Clark (@tweakn101) is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter. Is he as awesome in person or more awesome?

He is just as awesome in person, sometimes he is TOO awesome for me to handle that I need to sleep in a different location to him. But yes, he is just as wild and hilarious as he is on twitter. And if you have ever spent any time with him then you will realize that he is genuinely one of the most positive people you have ever met, he’s truly inspirational. But in the likely chance that he is TOO awesome for me to handle, he sometimes has to drive in a separate care than me to races.

You’re girlfriend, Gabby Day, is a pretty good cross racer. Which bothers you more: the fact that she’s better looking than you, or a better cross racer?

I’m not sure that either of those things bother me too much, I’ve come to terms with how she will probably always be a better bike rider than me, and I’m glad she’s better looking than me… It means i’m batting out of my leagues!!. But seriously, she has been having a phenomenal season thus far, I just have to keep her from getting a big head!!! We often joke about how one of us is going to get a really big head because how well our seasons are going, and that will result in us not being able to deal with each other!

Finally, you grew up in Fitchburg, MA, a town that breeds greatness (it happens to be my hometown). Did you get a chance to race the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic?

I did get a chance to race the Longsjo Classic. For two years in a row I had upgraded right before the race. So it ended up being my FIRST pro NRC race when I upgraded to a cat 1 the week prior.. I got smashed, and smashed hard in that race. The next season it disappeared because lack of sponsorship. I have always wanted to race it when I am fully ready for it. Jumping in to the cat 1 field at the NRC level is not very advisable. But yea, Fitchburg breeds greatness, and a lot of other things as well but we won’t get into that here.

Thanks a lot Jeremy and best of luck in Belgium. Hopefully we can grab a beer or something while you’re over there. For more on Jeremy, visit http://jeremydurrin.com/ and/or check him out on Twitter (@Jerm_Durrin).

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Cross Predictions – Week 15

Posted on December 14, 2012 by
Dan Timmerman. Photo: Todd Prepaski.

Dan Timmerman. Photo: Todd Prepaski.

As the season winds down a bit in the US, things are heating up in Europe. There’s a pair of UCI C2 races in North Carolina this weekend and four races in Europe, including a C1 race in Belgium. It promises to be an exciting weekend, especially with “Holy Week” right around the corner. Here’s how I think things will play out:

North Carolina GP – Day 1 (C2)

The Winner

Dan Timmerman – after picking up his first UCI victory of the season last weekend in New York, look for Timmerman to continue that success in Hendersonville. There were some storms earlier this week, so the ground may be soft, but it shouldn’t be the mudfest we saw last Sunday. Reguardless, I like Timmerman’s odds.

The Podium

Brian Matter – with a bevy of top-ten finishes this season, it seems like a matter of time (no pun intended) before he lands on the podium. He had success here last year and I like his odds this weekend.

Kerry Werner Jr – if you don’t know this Pennsylvania native, you should. He has seemingly come out of nowhere in the mountain bike world and when he races cross he does well. He won last weekend in New York and should do well this weekend.

North Carolina GP – Day 2 (C2)

The Winner

Brian Matter – while I like Timmerman’s odds of pulling off the double, look for Matter to make a bid for victory on Sunday. As previously mentioned, he’s been close all year. With nationals less than a month away, look for him to grab valuable UCI points to improve his starting position.

The Podium

Dan Timmerman – not much to say here, except Timmerman is riding really well right now. He should be in contention all weekend, but I’m going to say he only lands on the top step of the podium on Saturday.

Kerry Werner Jr – it pains me to have the same three guys on the podium both days, but that’s what my gut is telling me. While I will most likely be wrong, these three guys stand out in my eyes and I like their odds.

Soudal Classics – Leuven (C1)

The Winner

Sven Nys – look for Nys to make up for last weekends broekn pedal and continue his domination in Belgium. This somewhat unofficial series has been split evenly this season between Nys, Kevin Pauwels and Niels Albert. With “Holy Week” right around the corner look for Nys to come out on top and make sure everyone knows who’s boss.

The Podium

Kevin Pauwels – Pauwels has started to show signs of the form he had last season when he was nearly unstoppable. With the pressure off of him a bit (now on Albert), look for him to give Nys a run for his money. Unless Nys suffers a mechanical, Pauwels will have to settle for the podium.

Rob Peeters – I’m a big Peeters fan, even before he finished second at Worlds. He did well here last year and is starting to come into good form. He’ll battle the usual cast of characters and I think he’ll come out on top.

Cyclo-cross International Ciudad de Valencia (C2)

The Winner

Aitor Gutierrez – the winner last weekend in Igore, Gutierrez had a poor performance in Valencia last year. Look for him to continue his soild results in Spain with another victory this weekend.

The Podium

Issac Fernandez – a podium finisher last year, Fernandez in one of about a half-dozen riders who shoulsd contend for the podium this Sunday. He’s a strong rider and should be in the mix the entire race.

Javier Ibanez – despite failing to make the podium last weekend, I think Ibanez is still a rider to beat in Spain. Look for him to rebound with a podium finish in Valencia. I could even see him land on the top-step of the podium if things go his way.

National Trophy Series – Round 5 (C2)

The Winner

Paul Oldham – look for the defending National Trophy Series champion to make a bid for the overal in emphatic fashion in Shrewsbury. While a Belgian or two could show up and ruin the day, I expect Oldham to make a bid for it all. He trails Oli Beckingsale by two points right now, in a battle that will surely go down to the wire. I expect Oldham’s experience to take over as he rides to victory on Sunday.

The Podium

Oli Beckingsale – like the rest of England, I keep expecting Beckingsale to drop off at some point during this season. After all, the mountain biker has never raced a full season of cross, let alone battle for an overall title. However, he’s here to stay and like Oldham is always a podium threat. Look for him to throw down on Sunday as he aims to keep his overall lead.

Joeri Hofman – this young Belgian is slowly working his way up the ranks and could be a podium threat on Sunday. He hasn’t done much UCI racing this season, but placed ninth in the U23 race at Koppenbergcross. Look for him to land on the podium in Shrewbury.

Slovakia National Championships (CN)

The Winner

Robert Gavenda – look for Gavenda to repeat as champion this weekend in Slovokia. At 24-years-old, he’s one of the youngest riders in the field, but I think he’s one of the best.

Milan Barenyi – finishing just off the podium last year, Barenyi has had some solid results this year. I like his odds to podium on Sunday.

Vaclav Metlicka – like Barenyi, Metlicka is one of the oldest riders in the race. Despite that, I like him to repeat his podium appearance that we saw last year.

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Cross Predictions – Week 14 Wrap-Up

Posted on December 12, 2012 by
Kevin Pauwels runs through the mud. Photo: Balint.

Kevin Pauwels runs through the mud. Photo: Balint.

Another week of cross action is in the books. What a weekend it was. With most of the big guns out West, several riders seized the opportunity in New York City and picked up valuable UCI points. On the West Coast, the Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com dominated the action as Tim Johnson made sure everyone knows that he’s still ready to throw down. In Europe, Sven Nys once again dominated the weekend while Niels Albert continued to struggle. Kevin Pauwels is starting to show signs of life again and in Japan Yu Takenouchi took home his third straight title.

As far as my predictions went, things were far better than last week. Once again, no perfect podiums, but I did really well.

US Cross

USGP Cyclocross – Deschutes Cup (C1/C2)

Day One

1. Ryan Trebon – 1st
2. Tim Johnson – 2nd
3. Zach McDonald – 5th

Points: 4

Day Two

1. Tim Johnson – 1st
2. Jamie Driscoll – 7th
3. Danny Summerhill – 13th

Points: 3

Super Cross Cup (C2/C2)

Day One

1. Dan Timmerman – 1st
2. Mike Garrigan – 2nd
3. Dan Chabanov – 10th

Points: 4

Day Two

1. Mike Garrigan – 3rd
2. Dan Timmerman – 4th
3. Anthony Clark – 5th

Points: 1

Total: 12/20 (60%)

European Cross

Asteasuko XIV Ziklo-Krossa (C2)

1. Aitor Gutierrez – 2nd
2. Javier Ibanez – 5th
3. Egoitz Rekalde – 1st

Points: 2

Soudal Scheldecross Antwerpen (C1)

1. Sven Nys – 2nd
2. Niels Albert – 3rd
3. Bart Aernouts – 5th

Points: 2

Toi Toi Cup Round 7 (C2)

1. Martin Bina – DNS
2. Michael Boros – 2nd
3. Tomas Paprstka – 1st

Points: 2

Ciclocross del Ponte (C2)

1. Enrico Franzoi – 1st
2. Marco Fontana – 5th
3. Elia Silvestri – 10th

Points: 3

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (C1)

1. Sven Nys – 1st
2. Klaas Vantornout – 3rd
3. Kevin Pauwels – 9th

Points: 4

Challenge National 3ème Epreuve

1. Francis Mourey – 1st
2. Matthieu Boulo – 2nd
3. Guillaum Perrot – 9th

Points: 4

XXXVI Ziklo Kross Igorre

1. Egoitz Rekalde – 2nd
2. Aitor Gutierrez – 1st
3. Javier Ibanez – 6th

Points: 2

38th Frankfurter Rad-Cross (C2)

1. Christoph Pfingsten – 2nd
2. Simon Zahner – 1st
3. Ondrej Bambula – 6th

Points: 2

Japanese National Championships (CN)

1. Yu Takenouchi – 1st
2. Hikaru Kosaka – 2nd
3. Atsushi Maruyama – 4th

Points: 4

Total: 25/45 (56%)

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2013 US World’s Team – Elite Men

Posted on December 10, 2012 by

With less than two months before the start of the 2013 World Championships in Louisville, KY, it’s time to start thinking about who will represent the US on their home soil. Many of the riders on this list (consider it an unofficial long list) will head to Europe in a few weeks to try and maximize their UCI points and race with the best in the World.

The qualifications for making the US Worlds team are pretty specific and detailed. However, as we’ll find out, there’s currently only three riders who are guaranteed a spot on the US team. The rest will come down to UCI points and discretionary picks made by USA Cycling.

As one of the top five ranked nations, based on total UCI points, the US is allowed to select nine riders for the 2013 World Championships, with six riders allowed to race. While this could change over the coming weeks, the US should hang on to their spot, qualifying the maximum number of riders.

Note: Belgium will have at least one extra rider as the outgoing World Champion is automatically guaranteed a spot, as is the current World Cup leader.

How those nine riders are selected is largely up to the national federation, in this case it is USA Cycling (USAC).  USAC has laid out specific guidelines of how it will select its riders, but because of Jeremy Powers incredible season, he fills several of the automatic qualification criteria. This means that nearly half the team could be made up of discretionary picks by USAC.

2013 World Championship Qualification – US Elite Men

  1. A rider who finishes in the top five at a World Cup.
    • No rider has done so yet.
  2. The 2013 National Champion.
    • Not determined yet.
  3. Top three UCI ranked riders. Riders must be in the top 50 overall.
    • Jeremy Powers (12)
    • Ryan Trebon (17)
    • Tim Johnson (23)
  4. Top 15 in a World Cup
    • Jeremy Powers – already qualified
  5. Most points accumulated in US UCI C1 races:
    • Jeremy Powers – already qualified
  6. USAC Discretionary Picks
    • Rather than guess at what USAC is going to do, here’s a breakdown of the most likely candidates for the remaining six spots. This also assumes that either Powers, Johnson or Trebon win Nationals and no one finishes inside the top five of a World Cup.
    • James Driscoll – in addition to having competed in multiple World Championships, Driscoll is the only rider to win a UCI C1 race in the US that hasn’t already qualified for the team. He finished seventh in the USGP, which could also help his case. Note: the top three spots in the USGP were occupied by Powers, Trebon and Johnson, Ben Berden (Belgium) was fourth.
    • Jonathan Page – the only American to medal at an Elite World Championship, Page has spent the bulk of his season racing in Europe. Despite it being an up and down season, Page is the fourth highest ranked rider in terms of UCI points and raced well when he started his season in the US.
    • Chris Jones – fifth in the USGP, Jones is the seventh highest ranked US rider in terms of UCI points behind Powers, Trebon, Johnson, Driscoll and Zach McDonald, who will be racing the U23 race.
    • Daniel Summerhill – a former Worlds medalist, Summerhill has come on strong late in the season. He finished sixth overall at the USGP and is the ninth highest ranked American in terms of UCI points.
    • Jeremy Durrin – after spending some time racing in Europe last winter, Durrin picked up his first UCI victory of his career earlier this year. He’s the eighth ranked American in terms of UCI points and will head back to Europe to improve his odds.
    • Justin Lindine – the winner of the VERGE NECCS series, Lindine finished 15th in the USGP despite only racing half the series. He heads to Europe in a few weeks to cement what may be the final spot on the Worlds team.

As previously mentioned, there are still nearly two months until Worlds, but as we get closer, this list should become clearer and perhaps a few surprises will make a run at representing the US on home soil. One thing is clear, Powers, Trebon and Johnson are in, barring some sort of act of the cross gods. The sixth other riders who will make this team have about six weeks to make USAC, and the World, recognize them as one of America’s best.

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