International Cyclocross Weekend Preview
by mattio
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
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
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
1. Sven Nys (3) – the Cannibal from Baal is back on top, unseating his younger rival with a pair of victories this weekend. Nys used every trick in his deep playbook. It included a bit of skullduggery, but also sandriding, technical skills, and a fearsome sprint. He’s not to be trifled with.
2. Kevin Pauwels (1) – from our perspective, Pauwels traded some of his fearsome sprinting ability from last year for an engine that can ride away from the field on occasion. It’s served him well up until now, but it seems that if he can’t ride away from Nys or...Continue Reading
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