Cyclo-cross News & racing round-up, Tuesday, January 12, 2010

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Date published:

January 12, 2010, 22:00

• De Knegt evaluates chances at Dutch nationals

  

  Article published:

  January 7, 2010, 21:33

  By:

  Christine Vardaros

  Seasoned racer becomes Holland's hopeful - again

  After 10 years of racing cyclo-cross, Dutch rider Gerben De Knegt (Rabobank) has taken the leap this season to become one of the world's top contenders, for the second time. The first was over two years ago during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons when he regularly finished top ten with podium placings in the World Cup, GVA Trofee and Superprestige events. Both seasons he ended fourth in the overall UCI rankings.

  Unfortunately due to physical health problems that plagued his next two season preparations, he was unable to reach the same level of fitness until recently. "I have had back problems during the whole of my career," said De Knegt. "And a couple of years ago, I broke my hip. But from last April until the beginning of this season I was feeling okay - I've had a good summer. That is the big difference."

  Now that he finds himself once again repeatedly just off the podium, he takes the relative disappointment in stride. "It's been a long time since I've been riding this well, so I am satisfied with getting fourth position because the other guys are a little better [referring to the powerhouse trio of Belgian Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago), Belgian Niels Albert (BKCP - Powerplus), and Czech Republic's Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea )]. I'm just relieved to be getting good results again."

  Regarding his chances for another national championship title which he won during the 2005/06 season, he is not fully confident. "A muddy course is easiest for me because the best rider will win. But if it's fast like it is expected to be since it is going to freeze all week, you can also have other riders who normally couldn't keep up in the mud like Thijs Al (AA Drink) and Lars Boom (Rabobank)."

  Boom's first of possibly only two races this season was last Sunday at Grand Prix Groenendaal in Sint Michielsgestel where he placed 22nd, 3:30 behind De Knegt who finished second. When asked how Boom could still be seen as a threat, even on a fast course, De Knegt explained, "It was a different race from what nationals in Heerlen is expected to be. It was a really small course where he couldn't pass the other riders. He also started in a poor position and I don't think he was competing to finish in 20th place."

  Looking forward to World Championships in Tabor on January 31, De Knegt holds modest yet optimistic aspirations. "I have been from position five through 10 in this race. In the shape that I am in, I could be top five - maybe podium. Because the World Championships is a crazy race, there are sometimes top favorites who don't get the results they want. And there are other guys who perform very well - maybe I can be one of those guys," said De Knegt.

  Now that De Knegt is again at the top, retirement is much farther away than it once was only a couple of years ago when he struggled with his health. " I am close to renewing my contract for two years with Rabobank [he signed a two-year deal on Wednesday - ed.]. That is really positive for me so I can concentrate on the racing," he said. "Then after that I'm thinking about retiring because I'll be 36. Well, maybe after two seasons if I am still in good shape, then why not continue?"

  Even if The Netherlands' unequivocal top gun snags a win at nationals and the World Championships, he will still be looked at strangely by folks in his country where cyclo-cross has not reached the level of popularity it has in its neighboring country of Belgium. "When I am in Belgium, everybody knows me. But in the town where I live, nobody knows what I am doing . They just think, 'That guy. He is always on his bike and he never works'. When I tell them that's my job, they say, ‘ Oh, ok. Can you make money with that?"

• Wellens lacking for Belgian 'Cross Nationals

  

  Article published:

  January 8, 2010, 18:59

  By:

  Christine Vardaros

  Former champion eyes Worlds after slow return from illness

  By his own admission, Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea) will not be ready to contest the title of Belgian National Champion at Oostmalle this Sunday.

  After being sidelined from the races for a good portion of the cyclo-cross season due to a cytomegalovirus, Wellens said that recovery is not going exactly as scheduled. "I expected to have my first peak at Nationals but the last two weeks my progress has been stuck at the same level."

  Wellens remains hopeful that he will reach top form by World Championships three weeks later. "It's hard work to get my old shape back but step by step it's coming. I hope to start having progress again next week. I feel that I still need to train hard to reach my best fitness. But I look forward to Worlds. It can save my season," Wellens told Cyclingnews.

  The physical struggle of getting back to shape was no surprise to Wellens, but his emotional reactions were what took him by surprise. "At the first race of the season where I didn't start, there were some fans holding a flag with some text on it. It was really nice to see that.

  "When I rode my first race back in Koksijde, it was an emotional first two laps. Fans where screaming me to the front," exclaimed Wellens. " When I was sidelined from cyclo-cross for more than two months, I realized what I was missing - how much I love cyclo-cross."

  Even if Wellens doesn't reach his peak this season, he has accepted it. "If my form doesn't come, next year is a new year for winning new races!"

  For National Championships, expect to see Wellens fighting at the front in support of his teammates Tom Meeusen and Kevin Pauwels, both of whom have scored important victories this season. The hard workout he gets from this weekend's race may well play a role in his peak for Worlds.

• British 'cross Championships postponed

  

  Article published:

  January 9, 2010, 16:51

  By:

  Richard Tyler

  Snow and ice force organisers to shift to post-Worlds calendar spot

  British Cycling has confirmed the postponement of Great Britain's 2010 National Cyclo-cross Championships, due to the snow and ice that has blanketed much of England, Scotland and Wales this week.

  The event, which was due to take place this weekend in Sutton Park, Birmingham will now be held on February 6 and 7 at the same venue, a week after the International Cycling Union's (UCI) World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic.

  British Cycling had delayed a decision on the postponement of the Cyclo-cross Championship in the hope that conditions would clear enough to allow the races that will decide the youth, under-23, elite and veteran Champions for 2010. However, with predictions of further snow over the weekend the British federation decided, in consultation with Birmingham City Council, to delay the staging of the event.

  "It was agreed by all parties that, whilst the course itself may well be capable of holding the racing events, the access roads into the park present some very serious problems due to ice and snow," read a statement on the British Cycling website.

  "Guaranteeing access for essential services such as ambulance cover, event vehicles, temporary toilets, gantries and crowd barriers has proved impossible. Further forecasts for sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow on Sunday mean that it has therefore been agreed that the race will be postponed."

  It was one of a number of cycling events to either be postponed or cancelled across Great Britain. British Cycling said the UCI Cyclo-cross Commission had approved the revised date for the Championships.

• Nys wins seventh Belgian cyclo-cross title

  

  Article published:

  January 10, 2010, 16:49

  By:

  Cycling News

  Albert cross as Nys fans ruin his day

  Sven Nys claimed his seventh career Belgian 'cross title in a thrilling come-from-behind effort in Oostmalle on Sunday. The Landbouwkrediet-Colnago rider pumped his fists in excitement as he crossed the line three seconds ahead of Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb). Under-23 stand-out Tom Meeusen (Telenet Fidea) salvaged his team's championships with a third place finish ahead of Rob Peeters.

  From the gun it was Meeusen and Sunweb's Sven Vanthourenhout who took the fastest start onto a snow covered and icy course in Oostmalle, with Nys and World Champion Niels Albert - the two main favourites - watching each other behind.

  Nys made the first blunder, and slid out on the icy course, leaving him chasing at a distance behind the main group of favourites. At one point nearly 30 seconds in arrears, the defending champion did not panic.

  "I rode a perfect race after my crash," Nys said. "I had a great day! Even when the gap was 30 seconds, I didn't panic. When I was younger I might have lost, but I rode on pure adrenaline."

  Vanthourenhout claimed the lead with Meeusen forming a chase group with teammate Peeters and Vantornout and Nys hot in pursuit of the group of favourites behind. Once in contact, Nys drove straight to the front and went off in solo pursuit of the leaders.

  The icy conditions began to play a factor as riders began to fatigue. Vanthourenhout slid out and was caught by the chase of three, and soon Nys was able to make contact. He immediately went to the front to apply pressure and when Peeters, Nys' former teammate, tried to follow, he slid out in a turn and was run over by Vantornout. With that small mistake as an advantage, Nys opened up a gap which never closed.

  "It certainly wasn't the easiest one. I planned to ride the first half hour comfortably in the group but due to crashes I ended up chasing and taking risks.

  "Of course I want to also win the World Championships, but if I don't my season won't be ruined. I want to dominate all year long."

  While Nys was celebrating, Albert was fuming over a crash he claims was caused by Nys' supporters. Albert was in the group of chasers as Nys made contact, but then suddenly vanished from view. Half a lap later, Albert was riding alone well behind the group.

  "The game was definitely not over for me until a supporter of Nys pulled me of my bike. I looked back and saw clearly that it was someone from the Nys camp. The people around him even applauded!

  "It's a scandalous way to lose a Belgian championship. I'm not saying I would have won, because Nys rode a great race. Hats off to him, he is a deserving winner. People can boo me or throw beer on me, but they cannot touch me - they must not touch me."

  Nys agreed that his supporters should not act that way. "That shouldn't happen. I also got hit and had beer poured on me. At the Belgian championships the fans are live wires, but they can't do that."

  The Belgian media are calling for race fans to send in any photos or video of the incident since it happened out of view of the television cameras.

• Albert suffers broken rib at hands of spectator

  

  Article published:

  January 11, 2010, 13:42

  By:

  Cycling News

  World Champion taken out during Belgian championship

  Niels Albert sustained a broken rib when he was knocked off his bike by a drunk spectator during the Belgian national cyclo-cross championship Sunday. The incident raised the issue of rider safety during major events, with champion Sven Nys also condemning it.

  The injury jeopardises the rest Albert’s season. It is unknown if he will be able to ride the World Cup race in Roubaix next Sunday, his team manager Christophe Roodhooft confirmed in a press release.

  Roodhooft went on to say that the spectator claimed to be a supporter of Albert, although he was standing with fans of Nys.

  The spectator, interviewed by Het Niuewsblad and whose name was not released, said that the incident “happened very quickly and I didn’t do it on purpose.” He apologized to Albert and did not deny that he was drunk.

  However witnesses confirmed to Sporza radio that the act was intentional.

  Albert and Roodhooft both emphasised that they had put the incident behind them and hoped that it “gives rise to an extensive analysis of the safety of the riders. Hopefully the appropriate measures."

  Nys was quick to condemn the incident. "It does not belong in 'cross. I think sportsmanship is more important than the victory," he said on the Sports Weekend television show. "Such people should be banished for life. I do not want someone like that to be called a supporter of mine. I want nothing to do with them."

  Nys won the Belgian title for the seventh time, with Albert finishing ninth. Albert conceded that he would probably not have won even if he had not been knocked down.

• Cyclingnews guide to national cyclo-cross championships

  

  Article published:

  January 11, 2010, 20:07

  By:

  Cycling News

  2009-2010 season summary

  Most European countries hold their National Cyclo-cross Championships at the beginning of January, while other parts of the world generally run theirs earlier. Listed below are all 2009-20010 national 'cross championships results on Cyclingnews to date.

  Austria
  January 10, 2010: Full results

  Belgium
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results, report, photos

  Canada
  October 10, 2009: Full results, report, photos

  Croatia
  January 17, 2010: Full results

  Czech Republic
  December 12, 2009; January 9, 2010: Full results, photos

  Denmark
  January 10, 2010: Full results

  France
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results, photos

  Germany
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results

  Italy
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results, photos

  Japan
  December 13, 2009: Full results

  Luxembourg
  January 10, 2010: Full results

  Netherlands
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results, report, photos

  Poland
  January 10, 2010: Full results

  Slovakia
  December 5, 12, 2009: Full results

  Spain
  January 9-10, 2010: Full results

  Sweden
  November 14, 2009: Full results

  Switzerland
  January 10, 2010: Full results

  United States of America
  December 10-13, 2009: Full results, report, photos

  

• Page gears up for Cyclo-Cross World Championships

  

  Article published:

  January 11, 2010, 22:25

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  American's European top-10 finishes a good signal ahead of Czech Worlds

  American Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) is arguably the United States of America’s best hope of capturing a world title at the Elite men’s International Cycling Union (UCI) Cyclo-Cross World Championships, to be held in Tabor, Czech Republic on January 31.

  USA Cycling has already announced its national team rosters for the Junior men's, Elite women's and Under-23 men's world championship categories and will release the Elite men’s roster this week. Page will likely lead the squad into his eighth Cyclo-Cross World Championships event. The Belgian-transplant acknowledged his chances at winning the world title alongside a possible six-man fleet of fellow countrymen.

  "I appreciate the ‘pressure’ actually," Page said. "I don't know what the chances are of me actually winning it, though. Worlds is one day, for one hour and anything can happen. People crash, they flat, a normally spectacular guy can have a terrible day and a normally not-so-good guy can have a fantastic day. You just never know. That’s what I like about Worlds. If I have good luck, I will do well, I know that. I have worked really hard for this day and I’m in the best form I can be in. We'll have to see."

  Page is best known for being the first North American to stand on the Elite men’s World Championships podium, claiming the silver medal in 2007 at Hooglede-Gits, Belgium. He has won the US national cyclo-cross title on three occasions in 2002, 2003 and 2004. He jumped over to a full-time European cyclo-cross schedule in 2005, competing on the World Cup and Superprestige series'.

  The World Championship course is held on a variation of a former Czech World Cup circuit. Page revealed that although he has competed on the World Cup circuit many times before, he has not previewed the new course.

  "I haven't seen it," Page said. "They changed it from the World Cup course I have done many times. I still have to finalize details with USA Cycling but I will likely arrive on Wednesday [January 27] and just do my normal pre-race routine. I’m lucky because my family and my friend and mechanic, Franky [Van Haesebroucke], will be there with me just like always so nothing will be different for me. I like my bubble."

  Other likely members of the Elite men’s US World Championship team include current US National Champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) and Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA). Johnson is no stranger to the World Championships podium having won the bronze medal in the Under-23 category back in 1999 in Poprad, Slovakia. Trebon, the US Grand Prix of Cyclo-Cross overall winner, has also stated that he would re-start the second half of his cyclo-cross season four weeks prior to the World Championships to avoid burn-out.

  US cyclo-cross competitors already competing overseas includes Johnson’s teammates Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll along with members of the Euro Cross Camp Justin Lindine, Troy Wells and Brian Matter.

  Page on track in second half

  Page ended the first half of his season with a third place at the US National Cyclo-cross Championships held in Bend, Oregon in mid-December. He looked to be on good form to capture the stars-and-stripes jersey after placing 8th in the UCI World Cup round five in Igorre, Spain the weekend prior. However, the championship event followed a lengthy stint of travel from Europe back to the US’ western seaboard that may have left him feeling sub-par.

  Johnson took a commanding victory to claim his third title as US Cyclo-Cross National Champion ahead of Trebon in second place and Page in third.

  Page capitalized on the pre-European season by competing in the US during September and October. He landed a podium place in every race he started, beginning with the Star Crossed, then Rad Racing, Cross Vegas, Madison Cup and the Gran Prix of Gloucester events. In early October he travelled back to his home-base in Belgium to prepare for the start of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup and the Superprestige series.

  He went on to achieve results that include a 7th place performance in Nacht van Woerden in The Netherlands, an 8th place in Belgium's Grand Prix de la Région Wallonne and an 8th place at World Cup round five held in Igorre, Spain.

  He continued his top-ten and near top-ten performances on the world-class Belgian schedule, riding into an 11th place at the International Cyclo-Cross Tervuren, 6th place at the Grote Prijs De Ster in Sint Niklass, 14th place at the seventh World Cup round in Zolder, 15th at the Nissan Superprestige Trophy in Diegem, 8th at Noordzeecross Middelkerke and a 17th place at the sixth World Cup round in Kalmthout. He also captured a 3rd place spot on the podium at the Hotel Threeland in Petange, Luxembourg.

  When asked if he was fully recovered from a quick turn around back to Europe after the US National Championships, he said. "I didn't have a choice, I had to start racing right off the plane so it took me a while to recover, I think. Now, I finally feel like I’m back in form and on the up-swing, instead of on the verge of it."

  Page outlined his preparation schedule for the World Championships, which will include the Internationale Centrumcross van Surhuisterveen in The Netherlands along with the final two World Cups in Roubaix, France and Hoogerheide, Belgium. When asked if he is on track to peak condition for the grand finale, he said, "Yes, that has been the plan and it seems like it is working out so far.

  "It's always an exciting time because the Worlds are a big deal and anything can happen on that one day for one hour," Page said. "I just try to do everything right and leave the training to my trainers."

  Mr Lucky

  Page expressed his gratitude toward his support network of family, friends and fans that will travel to the Tabor to watch him in action at the World Championships. This group will include his long-time mechanic Franky van Haesebroucke and his wife, Cori Page along with daughter, Emma and son, Milo.

  "My sister and sister in-law will be there again, I think they have made the last seven times." Page said. "Plus, more family. I know that Bob [Downs] from Planet Bike and several representatives of Blue will be there. I have a bunch of friends from Belgium and some from the USA coming, some of whom I consider extended family, especially Franky.

  "My coaches will be watching nervously online, unless there is something I don't know," he added. "I know that many of my ‘fans’ will be making the trip and many others will be watching on television and online too. I’m going to soak all of this support in and use it as a boost for my motivation, not pressure. It's pretty awesome when I think about it. All these people, from all over the place, supporting me. I can't think of too many people that go to work each day with that kind of support system. I am a lucky guy."
   

• Niels Albert uncertain for Roubaix World Cup

  

  Article published:

  January 12, 2010, 20:43

  By:

  Cyclingnews

  World Cup leader feeling effects of fractured rib

  World champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus), afflicted with a fractured rib, is uncertain about his participation in the upcoming UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup round in Roubaix, France on Sunday.

  Albert, the current World Cup leader, fractured a rib during last Sunday's Belgian national championships when he was knocked off his bicycle by a drunken spectator. Albert finished ninth in the race won by Sven Nys for the seventh time.

  "Roubaix comes much too soon," said Albert on Tuesday, according to AFP. "I think my chances to participate are 50 percent. If I am [competing] I will only be thinking about my ranking in the World Cup. I will not be in it for the win."

  The 23-year-old Belgian described the difficulties of training with his injury. "On the flat, no worries. But as soon as the road climbs, the pain is almost unbearable," he said.

  Albert has been the atop the World Cup standings for the entire season. The Belgian won the first three rounds and has finished on the podium three additional times in the seven World Cups contested thus far.

  Albert holds a slim 20-point lead in the World Cup standings over Czech champion Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea Cycling Team) and a 90-point advantage over third-placed Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet). Stybar is the only rider who can potentially wrest the World Cup lead from Albert in Roubaix with 80 points going to the victor of a World Cup event.

  The World Cup concludes with its ninth and final round on January 24 in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands.