Cyclo-cross news & racing round-up for January 14,
2006
Edited by Steve Medcroft
Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in cyclo-cross.
Feel free to send feedback, news and gossip to mtb@cyclingnews.com
European Cyclo-cross Nationals wrap-up
By Steve Medcroft
The non-American part of the 'cross world turned its attention to their
own national championship races last weekend. There was no surprise in
the Belgian race; Sven Nys (Rabobank) just wouldn't be the same without
a championship jersey. Nys' teammate Gerben De Knegt (Rabobank) won in
the Netherlands and Roger Hammond (Discovery Channel) took the British
championship, among others.
- Italian National Championships, Ita (CN), January 7: Elite
men, women, U23 - Results
& photos
- Hungarian National Championships, Hun (CN), January 8: Elite
men - Brief
results
- Croatian National Championships, Cro (CN), January 8: Elite/U23
Men, Junior men, Cadets - Results
- Belgian National Championships, Bel (CN), January 7-8: Elite/U23
Men, Elite Women - Full
results, report & photos
- French National Championships, Fra (CN), January 8: Elite Men
- Full
results & photos
- Austrian National Championships, Aut (CN), January 8: Elite/U23/Masters
Men, Elite Women - Full
results
- British National Championships, GBr (CN), January 7-8: Full
results
- Czech Rep. National Championships, Cze (CN), January 8: Elite
Men - Full
results
- Danish National Championships, Den (CN), January 8: Elite Men/Women,
Jr Men - Full
results
- Dutch National Championships, Ned (CN), January 7-8: Elite
Men - Full
results
- German National Championships, Ger (CN), January 7-8: Elite
Men - Full
results
- Irish National Championships, Irl (CN), January 8: Results
- Luxembourg National Championships, Lux (CN), January 7-8: Full
results
- Polish National Championships, Pol (CN), January 8: Elite/U23
Men - Full
results
- Spanish National Championships, Spa (CN), January 7-8: Full
results
- Slovakian National Championships, Svk (CN), January 8: Elite/U23
Men - Brief
results
- Swiss National Championships, Swi (CN), January 8: Full
results
Cyclo-crosser Zlamalik positive
Czech cyclo-crosser Martin Zlamalik has had a positive A test for the
banned stimulant ephedrine after the Budvar
Cup round five in Plzen , on November 19, 2005.
Zlamalik, who placed fourth that day, has applied for the B sample to
be tested. "I don't want to point to anyone or anything in excuse, but
I don't understand it," the 23 year-old said on Friday, January 6, 2006.
"That is why I've asked for the B sample to be examined but I don't know
the result as yet."
The 2003 European U23 champion denied the use of the doping substance.
"I believe that the A sample will turn out to be an error and that I will
not face any punishment," Zlamalik said.
Barbarella's European odyssey - Part the first
Barb unpacking
Photo ©: Joscelin
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In the beginning...
So much for being an airport ninja. I got the idea that it was possible
to slip around the airport with minimum hassle from my homie in Hamburg,
Greg Reain. I flew American this trip instead of United. Rules of oversize
and/or overweight baggage depending on who check you in and what kind
of mood they are in. My customer service assistant, a gruff old man, was
determined to stick to his 70-pound weight limit.
The double bike case weighs in at 39 pounds empty. Put two 17-pound bikes
and some protective packing inside and you're easily over 75 pounds. The
gate agent was insistent that my bike case could not go over the weight
limit so I started removing all extra stuff from the case. Luckily, the
bag had extra space because not only did I put an empty water bottle,
clip on fenders and some rags into the duffle, but also both saddles and
seat posts. He also went on to explain the rule stating I can really have
only one bike with me, if I was to bring two, they would each need to
be in their own box.
To him it made perfect sense to have two bikes each in their own case.
Never mind that two single cases weigh more and take up more space than
one double case. The bike case got down to 72 pounds (I don't think it
was all the way on the scale) and the duffel went up to 65 pounds. He
charged me $25 for each piece of baggage because they were over the 50-pound
limit. This was actually good considering a bike usually costs $80 and
if the customer service assistant is cranky they tack on another $25.
So, I didn't get to ninja past check-in but at least I made it through
security without any problems.
Sometimes I can sleep on airplanes, sometimes I can't. This trip was
a no sleep trip. Every time I got my legs comfortable my neck cricked.
When the neck got comfy the legs seized up. After a while I gave up on
sleep and watched airplane TV.
Housemates and riding with Sven
Joscelin met me at the airport and I was informed that today (Tuesday,
January 10) I was participating in a group ride and tomorrow in a race
in Antwerp. The house where I'm staying is owned by a British couple,
Tim Harris (former British National Road Champion) and Joscelin. The house
is a fantastic old farm house with a garage for bikes. It is a bit strange
for me to go from living with Josh and kitty for so long to being in a
housemate situation.
Read the entire Barbara
Howe diary entry here.
Geoff Proctor's Euro 'Cross Camp wrap-up
By Steve Medcroft
The sixteen Americans that made up Geoff Proctor's Euro 'Cross Camp parted
ways last week after as many as six races in ten days each. The U.S. National
Cyclo-cross team coach's goal of the excursion was to give American 'crossers
valuable European experience before they take on a full contingent of
the best in international competition at Worlds in Zeddam, the Netharlands
at the end of January. The Helena, Montana high-school teacher said he
felt the third annual version of the camp was helpful and the racer's
progress in the sport measurable. "Americans are getting better at 'cross,"
Proctor said by phone and email. "Tactically, we were better this year;
we learned how to take care of the little things - like tire pressures
and bike changes, and how to ride certain courses the most efficient way."
Proctor says the lessons Americans are learning in Europe were reflected
in their results. "Our juniors were making a statement every race; we
had nine top-ten finishes with Bjorn Selander and Danny Summerhill leading
the way. Bjorn and Danny finished 4th and 5th respectively against a very
good field in Baal on New Year's Day, for example. Our U23's, led by Troy
Wells and Jesse Anthony, had solid races too. Troy's 13th in the sand
at the Hofstade World Cup and Jesse's 20th against a really good field
in Loenhout were our best results."
As for the elite athletes, Proctor says "Ryan Trebon was in a huge group
racing for 4th place in Loenhout. His 16th doesn't quite show how good
of a ride he did. Barry Wicks and Jeremy Powers had good rides in St Niklaas,
17th and 21st respectively. Erik Tonkin was our best finisher in brutal
Hooglede. And Jon Baker finished off his camp with an excellent 14th in
Surheisterveen, Holland."
Proctor says the logistics of the ten-day camp went smoothly as well.
"Mechanically, our support was outstanding. In staffing eight races over
twelve days (no rider rode all 8 races), we had 98 racer starts. That's
well over 100 pit changes with only two ot three miscues. The mechanics
were super. It's very very hard work; prepping, racing and then cleaning
and servicing 32 bikes (16 riders) every day in adverse conditions. Hats
off to them."
The American group made enough of impression to garner attention from
the local sports press. "Gazet Van Antwerpen came out and did an article
on us," Proctor said. "It focused on the sacrifices foreign riders have
to make to come to Belgium to race 'cross at Christmas time. The Czechs
are there. The Swiss are there. And for the past 3 Christmases, we've
been there. It's nice to be recognized."
All the lessons and attention mean one thing to the U.S. National Cyclo-cross
program. "I'm looking forward to Zeddam," Proctor said. "On the day of
Worlds, we can be in the races. And if we are, it will be the result
of all the hard work put in by the riders, their programs, and the crucial
support they get from the American racing scene."
Proctor heads back to Belgium January 20th to coordinate the efforts
of the U.S. Nationals Cyclo-cross team.
US team complete for 'Cross world's
The addition of five elite men completes a 20-rider roster for the US
national team to compete at the upcoming UCI Cyclocross World Championships
in Zeddam, Netherlands from January 28-29.
Ryan Trebon and Jonathan Page earned automatic nominations to the team
based on a top-50 ranking in the UCI standings, while Barry Wicks earned
an automatic nomination as the top American in the overall standings of
the 2005 Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross series.
USA Cycling elite men's national champion Todd Wells and Tim Johnson
also earned automatic nominations, but declined participation. Erik Tonkin
and Jeremy Powers join the team as discretionary selections. Elite women's
national champion Katie Compton has declined her automatic nomination
and will be replaced with Christine Vardaros.
Final U.S. team roster
Elite men
Ryan Trebon (Kona/Corvallis, Ore.)
Jonathan Page (Cervelo/Northfield, N.H.)
Barry Wicks (Kona, Corvallis, Ore.)
Erik Tonkin (Kona, Portland, Ore.)
Jeremy Powers (Jelly Belly, Niantic, Conn.)
Elite women
Barbara Howe (Velo Bella/Larkspur, Calif.)
Ann Knapp (Kona/Des Moines, Wash.)
Maureen Bruno-Roy (Independent Fabrication/Arlington, Mass.)
Rhonda Mazza (Vanilla Bicycle-Sellwood Cycle/Portland, Ore.)
Christine Vardaros (Lotto-Belisol/Mill Valley, Calif.)
U23 men
Troy Wells (TIAA-CREF/Durango, Colo.)
Jesse Anthony (Clif Bar/Beverly, Mass.)
Adam McGrath (Redline/Portland, Ore.)
Brady Kappius (TIAA-CREF/Littleton, Colo.)
Dan Neyens (Broadmark/Seattle, Wash.)
Junior men
Daniel Summerhill (TIAA-CREF/Centennial, Colo.)
Alex Howes (TIAA-CREF/Golden, Colo.)
Bjorn Selander (Alan Factory/Hudson, Wis.)
Chance Noble (Scary Fast/Camarillo, Calif.)
Patrick Ethan Gilmour (Coyote/Ludlow, Vt.)
TIAA-Cref 'cross team benefit party
Amante Coffee in North Boulder is the place to be on Thursday night,
Jan. 19 as the Colorado cycling community sends our best young riders
to the Cyclo-cross World Championships. The party is open to the public
and will raise essential funds to support Alex Howes and Danny Summerhill
(junior category), and Troy Wells and Brady Kappius (under 23 category)
as they journey to Zeddam, The Netherlands, for the Jan. 28 race.
The festivities begin at 7pm. A $10 dollar donation is required and drinks
will be discounted. You'll also get the chance to bid on unique cycling
gear and other valuable items in a silent auction. Every dollar raised
will go directly to the rider's travel expenses.
These guys are the future of cyclo-cross racing and their continued development
depends on traveling to Europe to test themselves against the world. But
with limited sponsorship, they and their families face the burden of paying
expensive traveling fees. Your donation will ensure they don't miss this
critical racing opportunity.
If you can't attend the party, you can still support the riders by making
a donation online at: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?EventID=2869
The Vanilla essence; Bikes of 'Cross Nationals, part 2
By Steve Medcroft
The flower insignia
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Skerritt runs Paul's Neo-retro
cantilever brake
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At Cyclocross Nationals in Providence, Rhode Island, we spied several
finely made and beautiful bikes built by custom frame builders. In the
first installment of this special three-part tech series, we brought you
Maureen Bruno-Roy's Independent Fabrication Planet Cross. Next up, we
take a look at Master's 35-39 national champion Shannon Skerritt's pearl
white Vanilla Cross.
Who is Vanilla Bicycles?
The Vanilla Bicycle Company, comprised of frame builder Sacha White and
one assistant, opened in 1999. "My main focus at that time was on building
'cross and road racing bikes," begins White. "Over the years, my interests
as a builder and a cyclist have grown to include commuting, touring and
track racing, but I have to say that I have a special place in my heart
for 'cross." Special because White races 'cross and is active in the thriving
Portland-area 'cross scene.
Asked why, when his company has limited production capacity, he finds
the time to provide bikes to elite-level riders (Shannon Skerritt, Molly
Cameron and Rhonda Mazza), White says "there are a few things at work."
"The first is that cyclo-cross is near and dear to my heart. I race when
I can and I feel strongly about helping the community by building frames
for three national caliber Portland residents."
Read the entire Shannon
Skerritt's Vanilla Cross pro bike article here.
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