Home Cyclingnews TV   News  Tech   Features   Road   MTB   BMX   Cyclo-cross   Track    Photos    Fitness    Letters   Search   Forum  

Recently on Cyclingnews.com


Mont Ventoux
Photo ©: Sirotti

 UCI codes explained

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
(Click for larger image) Barb unpacking her bikes: Oops, that chain is not very clean!

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
(Click for larger image) The flower insignia  Sacha White imprints on most of his bikes is a modified image of a Vanilla plant leaf. "An orchid actually," White says, "but as a decal on a frame, people often thought it was a bug or a pot leaf, so I decided to go more streamlined and a little more modern."
Skerritt runs Paul's Neo-retro cantilever brake
(Click for larger image) Skerritt runs Paul's Neo-retro cantilever brake  on the front of his Vanilla Cross. He says he scraped the decals from his Bontrager Carbon Aero rims because they were "looking a little ratty".

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.

Previous News    Next News

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2006)