It’s Christmastime throughout the world and that can only mean one thing: lots and lots of European cyclocross racing. Since last week’s Power Rankings came out there have been 4 big races: a Belgian national-level event, a round of the World Cup in Zolder, and rounds of the Superprestige and GVA Trophy. The only consistent theme throughout all 4 races was the domination by the Belgian riders. Nys bookended the week with wins at the Noordzeecross and the GVA Trophy race in Loenhout. In between, Kevin Pauwels picked-up a huge win, taking Round 7 of the World Cup, while Niels Albert won the Superprestige race in Diegem. Needless to say, it was an action-packed week and a great one for the home riders. (more…)
Archive for December, 2009
CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 16
Thursday, December 31st, 2009CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 15
Saturday, December 26th, 2009In what was supposed to be the weekend where the World Cup overall would be decided—or at least create a clear leader—the opposite happened. We are now left with a tie for the World Cup title between Niels Albert and Zdenek Stybar—each with 435 points. More importantly, a resurgent Sven Nys has thrown his hat in the ring with three World Cup races remaining after taking the victory in style this weekend in more than deplorable conditions in Kalmthout, Belgium. Nys’ race was marred by some first lap disasters including a dropped chain and a crash, but he battled back, taking the lead on the final lap—where he crashed once again near the finish. Needless to say, Nys proved that he can win when it counts; he’s perhaps the best rider in snow, sleet and rain. Behind Nys, it was the usual (more…)
2009 American Invasion
Friday, December 18th, 2009This Sunday will mark Round Six of the World Cup in Kalmthout, Belgium. It will also mark the beginning of the annual “American Invasion” of the European cross circuit. Every year, following a full season of racing in the US, dozens of American cross racers head over to Europe for a few weeks of racing. Most of the riders are part of the Euro ‘Cross Camp, that provides housing and support for a bevy of (mostly) young American riders. This weekend is usually the toughest for the riders as they travel to Europe for the first time and try to get settled in. We will have a lot more on the “American Invasion” over the next couple of weeks, but for now, we’ll provide a preview of this weekends action. (more…)
CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 14
Friday, December 18th, 2009A few weeks ago, I boldly declared that there are two certainties in cyclocross this year. First, if a Cyclocrossworld.com rider shows up to race they will win. Second, Niels Albert will win every race he enters by a sizable margin. This past weekend—to a certain extent—justified those claims. On this side of the Atlantic, Tim Johnson proved that he’s the best rider in the United States by winning his third stars and stripes jersey. In Belgium, Niels Albert was back to his usual self, picking-up a pair of solo victories on Saturday and Sunday. While he didn’t show the domination he had earlier this season, Albert has clearly found his stride again. He also extended his lead in the UCI ranking as well as the GvA Trophy Series. (more…)
2009 US Nationals Predictions Results
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Here they are, the 2009 US Cross Nationals Results based on my predictions. It was an okay year, I took some big hits with the Masters races and the juniors were sporadic at best. Enjoy, there’s plenty more Nationals and European stuff to come.
Masters Men
30-34: Molly Cameron (-6) – Grant Berry picked up the win against a star-studded field, Cameron was seventh.
35-39: Brandon Dwight (-3) – Jonathan Baker came out on top, in a race where the top four were separated by less then twenty seconds. Dwight finished fourth. (more…)
US Nationals Predictions – Day 4
Sunday, December 13th, 2009Day 4 finishes things off in style, with the Collegiate and Elite National Championships. It’s been a crazy few days thus far and today promises to be no exception. Tomorrow I’ll have all the results and points tabulated and we can see how I did. So far, its been a lot of second places for my predicted winners, hopefully today goes better.
Collegiate Men D1: Zach McDonald
US Nationals Predictions – Day 3
Saturday, December 12th, 2009Day 3 wraps up the Master and Juniors races featuring the exciting 17-18 Junior Men and the U23 Men’s race. Both of those races will feature riders heading to Europe and on to Worlds.
Junior Men
17-18: Cody Kaiser
Master Men
30-34: Molly Cameron
35-39: Brandon Dwight
(more…)
US Nationals Predictions – Day 2
Thursday, December 10th, 2009Day 2 Features a full slew of National Championship races. It’s mostly juniors and women, but there are a few categories thrown in for fun. Here are the predictions:
Junior Women
10-12: Mina Anderburg
13-14: Andrea Casebolt
15-16: Alexis Ryan
17-18: Coryn Rivera
(more…)
CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 13
Thursday, December 10th, 2009With just one weekend left before the US National Championships, chaos ensued in Portland, leaving more questions than answers. Many, including myself, thought it would be a two-horse race in “the showdown” at the final two rounds of the USGP; however, by the time the dust settled, two new riders had thrown their hats into the ring for a national championship. Todd Wells and Jeremy Powers came-off the previous weekend’s victories to dominate the competition in two of the closest races we’ve seen all year. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Czech National Champion Zdenek Stybar proved that he’s a force to be reckoned with by winning his second-straight World Cup race. The usual protagonists were there, including a frustrated Niels Albert and a bitterly disappointed Sven Nys, but it was the first time this season we saw daylight (more…)
US Nationals Predictions – Day 1
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009There are only a few races on Day 1 of US Nationals that will award an actual Stars and Stripes jersey. The rest of the day is filled with “B” races. Before reading this year’s predictions, be sure to check out how I did last year. I will unveil a modified points system tomorrow along with Day 2 predictions. For now, here’s who I’m looking at tomorrow:
Masters Men
55-59: Gary Thacker
60-64: Phil Bannister
65-69: Rob Lea
70+ – Last year there was a 70-74 Champ and a 75-79. Based on that:
70-74: Ronald Riley
75-79: Walt Axthelm
