Cyclocross World Cup Round 5 Preview: Namur

by mattio

Namur, Belgium hosts the fifth round of the Word Cup this Sunday and is part of a series of firsts. This marks the first time Namur will host a World Cup round on its famous course. It’s also the first time a city in the Walloon region of Belgium has hosted a World Cup race. Finally, it will be the first time former Cyclocross World Champion, Lars Boom is in the starting grid this season.   The course, made famous by its proximity to the historical citadel features the same finishing stretch where Philippe Gilbert won the GP Wallonnie this...Continue Reading

International Cyclocross Weekend Wrap-Up: Nys Guys Finish First

by mattio

Scheldecross (C1)

A last-lap mechanical cost Sven Nys his shot a victory in Antwerpen last year. This year, Nys rode the race to near perfection, taking the victory a head of Tom Meeusen and Dieter Vanthourenhout. Meeusen continues to have a stellar season with another solid ride, while Vanthourenhout surprised many with his podium finish. U23 World Champion Lars Van der Haar rode with the Elite Men for just the third time this season, finishing seventh, 1:10 behind Nys. Finally, Nys showed a bit of brains over brawn by running the barriers on the final lap, rather then bunny hop them...Continue Reading

International Cyclocross Weekend Preview: Around the World

by mattio and Erik

Last year, the action in Antwerpen, Belgium got started early, when a dog dug up a grenade from WWII in the sand that is prominent throughout the course. After a slight delay, Radomir Simunek picked up the victory, his second in Scheldecross. Other previous winners include Sven Nys (2009,2005), Thijs Al (2008) and Niels Albert (2006). With Zdenk Stybar skipping the race, the battle should come down to the Belgians Kevin Pauwels and Sven Nys. Niels Albert is on the preliminary start list and if he shows, it will be interesting to see how his broken wrist is doing. Perhaps...Continue Reading

International Cyclocross Power Rankings, Week #12 – K-Pau!

by mattio

2. Sven Nys (1) - but for a flat tire we’d likely have seen another Pauwels-Nys duel to the end in Igorre. Their duel is likely to continue.  

3. Tom Meeusen (3)  - Meeusen won several big races last year but is still waiting to break through this year. He’s built form admirably and is slugging it out and reeling in podium results. 

4. Bart Aernouts (5) - if Stybar’s difficulties and Albert’s absence make life easier for anybody, it’s for Meeusen and Aernouts, who have been regularly and reliably fighting each other for the final spot on the podium. 

5. Francis Mourey (6) - Mourey gets...Continue Reading

World Cup Preview: Round 4 – Igorre, Spain

by mattio

After several days of heavy rain, the course in Iggore will once again be extremely muddy and challenging, making the battle for the win and the overall even more spectacular. Currently Pauwels leads Nys by a slim five point margin, with Stybar a distant third, 25 point behind Pauwels. Francis Mourey, who finished second in Iggore last year, sits fourth overall, 50 points back. Mourey has had a solid season and would love to podium again in Iggore.

Outside of the affore mentioned riders, look for Klass Vantornout to contend for victory, especially if the conditions are as muddy as predicted....Continue Reading