North American Cyclocross Weekend Wrap-Up: USGP Finale

by mattio

USGP Rounds 7 & 8 (C1/C2)We’ve been waiting all season for a showdown between Tim Johnson and Jeremy Powers. Saturday’s UCI C1 race in Bend, Oregon provided the first true head-to-head battle between the former teammates. Last year, Powers and Johnson went toe-to-toe in a pair of brilliant battles that decided the USGP overall. With Ryan Trebon out of competition for the time being, the battle has less to do with the overall and more about one of these two riders picking up a C1 win. In the end, Powers prevailed in a sprint finish that he almost bobbled with...Continue Reading

North American Cyclocross Weekend Preview: USGP, Bend

by mattio

Jeremy Powers, meanwhile, has won the last three USGP races and taken over the series lead. Trebon sitting out and Geoff Kabush in a distant third, Powers could sleepwalk to the overall victory. Kabush would need to win both races, and Powers would need to crumble disastrously in order to not score the points to hold off Kabush – in all likelihood, we’re looking at a Powers victory of the USGP for the second year in a row.

The front of the race will be a bit more of a question mark. Recent months have seen major races turn into the...Continue Reading

North American Cyclocross Power Rankings, Week #13

by mattio

2. Tim Johnson (3) – Now, TJ went to LA to pick up a win and a second place, which follows nicely on the heels of his season’s first win the weekend before in Iowa. The question remains, though – does TJ have what it takes to contend for the victory against a full field of the nation’s top riders?

3. Ben Berden (9) - Ben Berden is staring at the close of his US racing season, planning to head back to Belgium. His win in LA, pouring on a half minute over a chasing Tim Johnson and others, is a nice way...Continue Reading

International Cyclocross Weekend Preview: A World Champs Test Run, and more

by mattio

The third round of the UCI World Cup heads to Koksijde, Belgium for its first round outside of the Czech Republic. Saturday’s race takes place in the North Sea coast on the grounds of the Koksijde Military Base. More importantly, Koksijde will play host to the 2012 World Championships in January.

After picking up a pair of victories last weekend, current UCI World Cup leader, Kevin Pauwels has to be considered the heavy favorite. The usual cast of characters will be there, with Sven Nys and Zdenk Stybar looking to stop the young Belgian’s momentum. Last year, Niels Albert dominated the...Continue Reading

North American Cyclocross Power Rankings, Week #11

by mattio

1. Jeremy Powers (1) – After a weekend off from racing, Jeremy Powers headed to Belgium to compete in this weekend’s World Cup race at the infamous sand dunes of Koksijde. Two USGP wins a week and a half ago indicate that he’s pretty close to firing on all cylinders, but Koksijde won’t be a fitting test of his Euro prowess – Powers will need more experience in the sand before he can truly compete, but it will be good experience for him before the 2012 World Championships.

2. Geoff Kabush (2) -Outside of Powers and Trebon-minus-his-crash, the most impressive performer two weeks...Continue Reading