CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 24

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CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 23

CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 22

With just one race left this year, Zdenek Stybar has returned to the top step of the podium and won another major competition. The World Champion did just enough Sunday to hold-off a charging Niels Albert on a slick, icy course in Vorselaar, taking the win and the Superprestige overall title. The big surprise came from Radomir Simunek who lead for a majority of the race before a crash allowed Stybar to catch him with 3 laps to go. From there, it was an all-out dash to the line as Albert and Sven Nys would eventually catch and pass Stybar as he headed to the pits. Albert took full advantage of Stybar’s momentary stoppage, launching an attack for the win. Chaos ensued including a spat between Nys and Simunek resulting in both men going down in a corner, allowing Stybar to slip-by to chase Albert alone. (more…)

CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 21

CycloCross Power Rankings – Week 20

In what was billed as one of the best cyclocross races in years, the 2010 World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic delivered the fairy tale story every rider (and fan) dreams about. Wearing his nation’s colors, Zdenek Stybar destroyed one of the best fields ever assembled, and collected the Rainbow Jersey in front of a hometown crowd. Stybar spent more than half the race by himself and wound-up winning by 21 seconds. Behind, the usual heads of state were noticeably absent, as a bevy of somewhat unsung riders made their bids for podium spots. Sven Nys, the other early favorite, found himself out of contention for the win, and could only watch as fellow countryman Klaas Vantornout picked-up the Silver Medal. Nys held-on for Bronze, while defending champion Niels Albert dropped-out with a few laps to go. (more…)

2010 Worlds Review

The 2010 Cyclocross World Championships are in the books, and what a weekend it was. There was great action from start to finish, including a few surprises and some new names to look out for. The home nation managed to pick up a pair of titles in the Junior and Elite Men races. Mean while two brothers from Poland shocked the Under 23 race and a young Dutch women continued her domination of the Elite Women’s field. In the end, the Netherlands came out on top with three medals; France, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Belgium all ended up with two medals; while Germany managed to pick up one. We made some great predictions, along with some pretty bad ones. Here’s a wrap of how we, and the riders we chose did: (more…)

2010 Worlds Preview: Predictions

With less then 24-hours remaining, it’s about time that we make our 2010 World Cyclocross Championship predictions. It has been a great season thus far, and this weekend could see the best racing in years. There are plenty of favorites, along with a great mix of new comers. Plus, there’s a bevy of riders who have multiple titles to their credit and are looking for more. In the Elite men’s race it appears that a Belgian is destine to win, same goes for the Under 23 Men. In the Juniors and Elite women’s races, the Netherlands seem to have top billing. Could the US pick up a pair of medals? Or, even a Rainbow Jersey? Only time will tell as the riders hit the frozen tundra of Tabor. Without further delay, here’s this years predictions: (more…)

2010 Worlds Preview: Elite Men

Throughout the season, it has been a three-way battle for victory in the elite men’s races. Zdenk Stybar, Sven Nys and Niels Albert have all had World Cup, GvA and Superprestige victories this year. The trio has consistently been at the front of races all year, and the World Championships should be no different. Stybar has the home-field advantage, Nys has the experience, and Albert has had the jersey for the past year. Clearly these three men are the cream of the crop. However, there’s always an upset in the making. Remember Jonathan Page’s silver in 2007? Can he, or someone else, do it again? Here’s who we’re watching for on Sunday:
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2010 Worlds Preview: Elite Women

Katie Compton shot out of the starting grid like a rocket this season destroying the competition on both sides of the Atlantic. Her season seemed to sizzle a little bit in December, but Compton quickly bounced back capturing her sixth straight National Championship. Recently, Compton has been sidelined by persistent leg cramps. In her absence, perennial favorites MarianneVos, Daphny Van den Brand and Hanka Kupfernagle have stormed onto the scene. If Compton can bounce back she could be the next World Champion, but as things stand now, all eyes will be onVos to pick up another title. (more…)

USA to Host Cross World Championships

While The Run Up rarely reports on news or rumors (we feel other outlets do it better then we can), we feel that this is too big not to report on. The UCI Management Committee confirmed this afternoon that the 2013 World Cyclocross Championships will be held in Louisville, Kentucky. As part of a trial run of sorts, the 2012 and 2013 Masters World Cyclocross Championships will be held at that venue. We will have much more on this exicting and groundbreaking news as the weekend goes on.

For now though, we will turn our focus back to the current World Championships, with our Elite Men and Women previews later today, as well as our beloved predictions.