International Cyclocross Weekend Wrap-Up: Nys Guys Finish First

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

Photo courtesy of Tim Van Wichelen

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 as he has all season.

Toi Toi Cup – Kolin (C2)

Series leader Christoph Pfingsten failed to show in Kolin, allowing Petr Dlask, David Kasek and Vladimir Kyzivat to close the gap, with one round left in the series. The race itself quickly became a three man affair between Kasek, Dlask and 21-year-old Jan Nesvadba. Kasek was able to edge out Dlask in a two-up sprint, with Nesvadba rolling across the line a handful of seconds later. As a result, Dlask sits in second overall, 13 points behind Pfingsten. Kasek moved into thrid place overall, 20 points back.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (C1)

To win a cross race, you need speed, skill and a bit of luck. Unfortunately for nearly everyone involved in the race in Overijse, their luck ran out. Surviving the madness and chaos was eventual winner Sven Nys, Bart Aernouts (second) and Klass Vantournout (third). Behind was a mess of spectacular crashes and ill timed flats. In Tom Meeusen’s and Kevin Pauwels case, it was a mix of both.

The course in Overijse features a solid mix of cobbled streets, off camber descents and tricky wooded sections. The section that had the greatest impact on the race was a short, steep, decent that took riders out of the woods. The first victim of “the descent” was Diter Vanthourenhout who went down hard and nearly went into the crowd. As supporters and fans we helping Vanthourenhout back to his feet, and presumably towards the medical tent, his teammate Radomir Simunek went down in the exact same fashion at nearly the exact same spot.

Meanwhile, at the front of the race, disaster began to strike. The first victim was Meeusen, who suffered a flat rear tire in town. Meeusen would recover and make his way back to the front of the race. Later in the race, Pauwels disappeared from the front as he suffered from a flat tire. After regaining contact with the lead group, Meeusen’s luck turned once again as he hit the deck hard in the final corner, costing him a podium spot. As Meeusen collected himself, Pauwels began to make a charge for the podium until he crashed on the same decent as Simunek and Vanthourenhout. Pauwels’ crash was at the base of the decent and not nearly as hard. Better luck to everyone next weekend.

National Trophy Series – Bradford (C2)

Crossing the line first for the first time this season, Paul Oldham stamped his authority on the National Trophy Series with victory in round five at Peel Park in Bradford on Sunday. With none of the Belgian visitors who have ridden previous rounds choosing to come to round five, Oldham secured a maximum 50-point haul to extend his series lead to 18 points. The title battle, a two-horse race between himself and rival Jody Crawforth, now looks to have swung significantly Oldham’s way. He now know that if he finishes fifth or better at the final round in Shrewsbury on January 15, the title will be his. Oldham simply road away from the competition on a challenging course in Bradford finishing 28-seconds a head of Nick Craig and 1:26 a head of rival Jody Crawforth.

The French National Cyclocross Series – Round 3 (C2)

As if there was any doubt about his dominance in France, Francis Mourey pick up yet another win in his native land. The National Champion beat Steve Chaniel by 40 seconds. Young Matthieu Boulo came across the line in thrid, two minutes behind Mourey. This marks Mourey’s third series victory in as many rounds.

Slovak National Championships (CN)

24-year-old Robert Gavenda continues to be the best rider in Slovakia as he picked up another National Championship. Martin Haring (26 years-old) rolled across the line 45 seconds later for second a head of 39-year-old Vaclav Metlicka. Interestingly enough, the fourth through sixth place riders we all over the age of 35, proving that the old guard isn’t going away any time soon.

Japanese National Championships (CN)

The past few weeks, Yu Takenouchi and Keiichi Tsujiura have traded UCI wins in their native Japan. This weekend, Takenouchi had the better legs and as a result is the new Japanese National Champion. Kohei Yamamoto rounded out the podium, while 49-year-old Masanori Kosaka finished in fifth.

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North American Cyclocross Weekend Wrap-Up: USGP Finale

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

Photo by Erik Mitchell

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 a premature celebration. As a result of his victory, Powers sewed up the USGP overall for the second consecutive year.

Sunday’s UCI C2 race in Bend was more a battle with the course then a battle between men. In the end, Powers would once again prevail for his fifth straight victory in Bend, after a move on the penultimate lap that separated him from Jamey Driscoll. However, the real story was the chaos and all the crashes. Ben Berden took the hole shot, but crashed on the second lap. As a result Kabush took the lead and Tim Johnson crashed trying to chase him down. Danny Summerhill was the next rider to go down, allowing Driscoll to sneak by and take the lead. He would soon be joined by Powers who managed to avoid the day’s carnage.

The surprise of the weekend came from Danny Summerhill. Summerhill is a strong cross rider, but has been focusing on the road in recent years. The Garmin rider picked up a solid third place finish on Saturday and was in contention for the podium on Sunday until he crashed. Geoff Kabush, who recently found employment with Scott’s MTB team, picked up a sixth on Saturday and a third on Sunday, moving him into second overall in the series. Finally, Tim Johnson appears to be coming into form right in time for nationals and worlds. His crash on Sunday resulted in a jammed chain which cost him roughly 30 seconds. Johnson worked his way up to sixth place by day’s end.

As previously mentioned, Jeremy Powers took home his second consecutive USGP overall after rattling off five straight wins in the eight race series. Geoff Kabush and Ryan Trebon, who missed the rounds in Bend, ended up tied on points. The tiebreaker for the USGP is the most recent event, allowing Kabush to slide into second place overall.

Kingsport Cyclocross Cup (UCI C2)

Travis Livermon took a dominating victory in Kingsport, Tennesse on Saturday at the Kingsport Cup. Livermon, who won the race last year, finished almost 50 seconds over Dylan McNicolas. Adam Myerson out sprinted Ryan Knapp for third place, finishing over two minutes behind Livermon. Myerson’s battle with Knapp was made even more exciting when he got tangled up with Robert Marion (who finished fifth) and ended up wrapped in course tape.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Rapha Winter Jersey & Classic Tights

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

http://www.rapha.cc/winter-jersey

After years of excuses, I finally decided to go “all in” with Rapha this winter. Sure I have other kit, but Rapha’s blend of modern, yet old school styling and technical innovation became too tantalizing to ignore. So after weeks of unseasonably mild temperatures and a hectic work schedule, a Thanksgiving cold snap finally gave me an opportunity to try these two workhorses of Rapha’s winter line—and I was mighty impressed.

The Winter Jersey feels lighter than it should for something so warm. Lined in all the right places to block the wind—but unlined and vented in others to allow moisture to evaporate—I wore the “jersey” (it’s really more of jersey-jacket hybrid) with only a base-layer underneath in temperatures that dipped into the upper 30’s. In other words, it practically begs you not to overdress. Tapered sleeves and extra-long cuffs protect your wrists while a high, fleece-lined collar keeps your neck warm and toasty.

http://www.rapha.cc/winter-tights

As for the Thermoroubaix Classic Winter Tights, I was first drawn to them by their lack of a chamois. This is entirely a personal preference, but chamois-less tights allow you to use your own bibs, meaning less tight-washing in between rides (it’s not gross, it’s efficient). Plus, wearing bib shorts underneath tights also gives you the option of adding knee warmers to the mix, offering an extra layer of protection on really cold days.  And like other Rapha products, the Classic Winter Tights include seemingly minor but much appreciated details such as a reflective leg stripe, a zipper down the front (for easy access during nature breaks), and a small, hidden pocket to stow your keys and some cash.

Pros: Terrific style and features make these some of the best winter items on the market today. The jersey is warm and light, while the tights feel great over a pair of bibs. The fit of the jersey is tailored but not restrictive. And whoever designed the tights paid special attention to seam placement.

Peeves: I’ve never been a fan of the drawstring waist Rapha uses with many of its products. The tights are indeed tight—a medium (my regular size) was almost too small for me. (Luckily, Rapha’s terrific return service makes it easy to swap.)

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Holiday Gift Guide – The Jersey Project & Cyclopedia

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

With The Jersey Project, Bill Humphreys and Jerry Dunn have created a North American version of the Dutch book Koerstrui (by John van Ierland and Evert de Rooij), a book documenting more than 1,000 historic, iconic, and bizarre cycling jerseys. Visually stunning, you can spend hours leafing through jerseys from all over the world, with several pages added to the original Dutch collection by Humphreys and Dunn commemorating the North American scene.

William Fotheringham’s Cyclopedia: It’s Not About the Bike is the perfect gift for trivia fans who find themselves looking for something they can dip and out of at their leisure. Arranged alphabetically, the book is stocked with 430 pages of facts, stories, diagrams, and other interesting ephemera. You can get it for your Kindle too.

You can grab both titles from the good folks at Gage & DeSoto. And while you are there, check-out their stylish line of t-shirts, caps, and various other cool-kid accessories.

Pros: Both books are well-researched, entertaining, and affordable.

Peeves: It’s a minor peeve, but Cyclopedia could use some color photos and graphics.

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Holiday Gift Guide – Clement PDX Tubular Tires

Posted on December 9, 2011 by

Clement PDX Tubular

Considering the potential for changing weather throughout a CX season and the need for condition-dependent gear, Pro cyclocrossers have wheelsets for each of a variety of conditions. Most amateur cyclocrossers don’t have the budget for a spare wheelsets, so for the amateur racer in your life,  a Clement PDX tubular tire (which can be glued up to an affordable tubular front wheel) makes a great gift. 

The PDX was released this season, making its debut on the wheels of riders like Ryan Trebon and Ben Berden. Its aggressive, mud-specific tread might not be useful in all races, but Clement says that the broken-up, centered treads still roll fast. Either way, a racer on a budget may not need a mud-specific wheelset, but a front mud wheel is a great way to make sure that for that small handful of muddy days, the rider can still keep traction in the corners and stay competitive. And their 33mm width is UCI-legal – for when your racer upgrades. 

Price: $129.99 MSRP

Pro: High-quality tubular construction, excellent treat pattern, great pedigree. 

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International Cyclocross Weekend Preview: Around the World

Posted on December 9, 2011 by and

Photo by Balint Hamvas | cyclephotos.co.uk

 Scheldecross (C1)

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 the most interesting rider to watch is U23 World Champion Lars Van der Haar, who has destroyed the U23 field this season. His first win came in an elite race at CrossVegas. Obviously, you cannot count out Simunek either.

Toi Toi Cup – Cologne (C2)

Christoph Pfingsten has dominated the Toi Toi Cup this season ratteling off three straight victories before the seires took a two-week break. With only a few rounds left, his 31 point lead over Vladimir Kyzivat seems solid. Pfingsten should solidify his lead with a top-three in Cologne and would love to make it four straight. Occasionally Zdenek Stybar shows up the theses races and although he not on the start list in Scheldecross, it would be suprising to see him in Cologne.

Vlaamse Druivenveldrit (C1)

Last year in Overijse, Belgium, the story was Lars Boom, who made his return to cross and was in the mix for victory until a flat tire took him out of the running. Just a head of Boom, Kevin Pauwels and Sven Nys battled it out for victory, with Nys coming out on top. The way the past few weeks have gone, it could be a Nys/Pauwels battle once again. Niels Albert will be in attendance, but the real challenge could come from Klass Vantornout, who finished third here last year. Zdenek Stybar should also be in the mix, but this most likely will be an all Belgian affair. Last year they took eight out of the top-ten spots.

National Trophy Series – Bradford (C2)

As has been the case all season, Paul Oldham and Jody Crawforth will renew their rivalry this weekend in Bradford. Oldham held the upper hand in the series until he rolled a tubular at the Derby round, where he finished behind Crawforth for the first time this season. His fifth place finish in Derby reduced his lead to four points. Last year’s muddy course seemed to favor Oldham who finished second behind Ian Field. However, Crawforth won his only senior title at Bradford in 2009.

The races themselves have been dominated by a strong contingent of Belgian riders. However, with no Belgians registered so far, it could easily become a battle between Oldham and Crawforth. Look for Liam Killeen to throw his hat in the ring, but will probably have little success against Crawforth and Oldham.

The French National Cyclocross Series – Round 3 (C2)

Besancon hosts the third round of France’s national series, where Francis Mourey should win his third straight round. Obviously in cross, anything can happen, so should Mourey not win, look for Matthieu Boulo to take the top step of the podium. Jon Gadret is always in the mix, but he is scheduled to race in Belgium.

Slovak National Championships (CN)

Apparently when Czechoslovakia split into two, all of the best cross racers ended up in the Czech Republic. Slovakia has a solid contingent of riders, who mostly race the Toi Toi Cup in the Czech Republic, but none have really risen to the prominence that their counterparts have. Slovokia’s best rider, and defending champion, is 24-year-old Robert Gavenda. He’s the highest ranking Slovak and won a race in Podbrezova earlier this year. He’s the heavy favorite to win, but could face some competition from 38-year-old Milan Barenyi.

Japanese National Championships (CN)

Japan usually only has two UCI races, a Kansai round and this event. This year however, Japan had two UCI C2 Kansai rounds. Keiichi Tsujiura and Yu Takenouchi took the top two spots in both races, with each rider picking up a win. As a result, they’re the heavy favorites on Sunday. Fortynine-year-old Masanori Kosaka had two top-five finishes in the UCI races and would love to pull off the major upset.

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