Cyclo-cross News & Racing Round-up, Tuesday, January 19, 2010

• Previous Edition
• Next Edition

Date published:

January 19, 2010, 16:00

• USA Cycling finalizes cyclo-cross worlds team

  

  Article published:

  January 13, 2010, 21:37

  By:

  Cycling News

  Johnson, Page top men's selection

  USA Cycling has completed its nominations of riders for the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships with the selection of five riders for the elite men's team.

  US Champion Tim Johnson and two of his trade teammates Jeremy Powers and Jamie Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) will be joined by veteran Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) and former US champion Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA) for the race which takes place in Tabor, Czech Republic on January 31.

  The men's roster completes the USA's selection of riders for 'cross worlds. The women's, U23 and Juniors were announced in December.

  Elite Men
  Jonathan Page (Planet Bike)
  Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com)
  Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA)
  Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com)
  Jamie Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com)

  Elite Women
  Katie Compton (Planet Bike)
  Amy Dombroski (Schalmm p/b Primus)
  Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry-Specialized)
  Laura Van Gilder (C3-Sollay)
  Maureen Bruno-Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles)
  
  U23 Men
  Danny Summerhill (Garmin-Felt)
  Luke Keough
  Zach McDonald (Stevens Classic Cycle)
  Jerome Townsend (Bikereg.com-Joe’s Garage)
  Dave Hackworthy Plan C)
  
  Junior Men
  Cody Kaiser (California Giant Berry)
  Jeff Bahnson (Thule-Van Dessel)
  Skyler Trujillo (Black Sheep)
  Chris Wallace (KCCX-Verge)
  Matt Spinks (Young Medalists-Team Dual Temp)

• Albert, Compton continue to lead UCI 'cross standings

  

  Article published:

  January 13, 2010, 22:05

  By:

  Cycling News

  Stybar closes in on injured Albert

  World champion Niels Albert and US champion Katie Compton remain atop the UCI's cyclo-cross rankings following a weekend in which most European countries held their national championships.

  Albert has led the men's standings for the entire 2009-2010 season, but a fractured rib suffered at the Belgian national championships may put his streak at the top in jeopardy.

  While the top-10 of the men's standings remained unchanged, second-placed Zdenek Stybar reduced his deficit to Albert from 150 points to 40 points based on the results of their respective national championships, the only events which took place since the previous UCI rankings were calculated.

  Albert finished ninth in the Belgian national championships, earning 10 points, while Stybar repeated as champion of the Czech Republic, earning 120 points. Stybar may move into the overall lead after this Sunday's points-rich World Cup in Roubaix, France where Albert's start is in doubt.

  Belgium continues to dominate the men's standings, placing four riders in the top-five. Sven Nys, Klaas Vantornout and Kevin Pauwels reside in third, fourth and fifth respectively.

  On the women's side, Compton continues her reign at the top of the UCI 'cross standings, a position she's held the entire 2009-2010 season. Compton has 1600 points and retains her 58-point lead over runner-up Daphny Van den Brand. Compton hasn't competed since the previous UCI rankings were released, but she added 120 points to her total from her victory in the US national championships in December. The UCI delayed the addition of points earned from national championships previous to Europe's until their championships were contested.

  Van den Brand likewise added 120 points to her total having earned her 11th Dutch title on Saturday and remains within striking distance of Compton. Van den Brand's compatriots Marianne Vos and Sanne van Paassen remain in third and fourth in the standings while Frenchwoman Christel Ferrier-Bruneau completes the top-five.

  The women's top-ten is largely unchanged with only Czech Pavla Havlikova and Briton Helen Wyman swapping positions at ninth and tenth respectively. Havlikova finished second in her national championships while Wyman was unable to earn national championship points this past weekend as weather delayed Great Britain's event.

  Elite men's UCI cyclo-cross standings - January 12, 2010

  1	Niels Albert (Belgium)	2310	pts
  2	Zdenek Stybar (Czech Republic)	2270
  3	Sven Nys (Belgium)	2080
  4	Klaas Vantornout (Belgium)	1476
  5	Kevin Pauwels (Belgium)	1231
  6	Gerben De Knegt (Netherlands)	1223
  7	Francis Mourey (France)	1218
  8	Bart Aernouts (Belgium)	1083
  9	Christian Heule (Switzerland)	904
  10	Radomir Simunek (Czech Republic)	835
  11	Enrico Franzoi (Italy)	808
  12	Erwin Vervecken (Belgium)	786
  13	Martin Bina (Czech Republic)	736
  14	Steve Chainel (France)	691
  15	Martin Zlamalik (Czech Republic)	666
  16	Jonathan Page (United States)	645
  17	Tom Meeusen (Belgium)	641
  18	Dieter Vanthoure (Belgium)	636
  19	Sven Vanthourenh (Belgium)	618
  20	Petr Dlask (Czech Republic)	588
  21	Thijs Al (Netherlands)	511
  22	Robert Gavenda (Slovakia)	509
  23	Mariusz Gil (Poland)	496
  24	Timothy Johnson (United States)	485
  25	Bart Wellens (Belgium)	462
  26	Kamil Ausbuher (Czech Republic)	437
  27	James Driscoll (United States)	417
  28	Thijs Van Ameron (Netherlands)	384
  29	Ryan Trebon (United States)	373
  30	Marco Bianco (Italy)	371
  31	Jeremy Powers (United States)	359
  32	Philipp Walslebe (Germany)	332
  33	Ondrej Bambula (Czech Republic)	305
  34	Marcel Wildhaber (Switzerland)	299
  35	Laurent Colombat (France)	293
  36	Jim Aernouts (Belgium)	293
  37	Geoff Kabush (Canada)	289
  38	Jan Verstraeten (Belgium)	284
  39	Lukas Flückiger (Switzerland)	282
  40	Nicolas Bazin (France)	280
  41	Pawel Szczepania (Poland)	276
  42	Javier Ruiz De L (Spain)	264
  43	Joachim Parbo (Denmark)	263
  44	Rob Peeters (Belgium)	254
  45	Todd Wells (United States)	251
  46	Christoph Pfings (Germany)	240
  47	Eddy Van Ijzendo (Netherlands)	240
  48	John Gadret (France)	233
  49	Johannes Sickmue (Germany)	231
  50	Milan Barenyi (Slovakia)	222
  51	David Derepas (France)	220
  52	Patrick Van Leeu (Netherlands)	207
  53	Christopher Jone (United States)	205
  54	Luca Damiani (Italy)	202
  55	Wilant Van Gils (Netherlands)	195
  56	Marco Aurelio Fo (Italy)	191
  57	Elia Silvestri (Italy)	185
  58	Alessandro Gambi (Italy)	184
  59	Jean-Pierre Druc (Luxembourg)	181
  60	Fabio Ursi (Italy)	181
  61	Kacper Szczepani (Poland)	176
  62	Robert Glajza (Slovakia)	175
  63	Keiichi Tsujiura (Japan)	171
  64	Davide Frattini (Italy)	170
  65	Dan Timmerman (United States)	165
  66	Barry Wicks (United States)	155
  67	Derrick St John (Canada)	154
  68	Jan Denuwelaer (Belgium)	148
  69	Jonathan Lopez (France)	147
  70	Cristian Cominel (Italy)	146
  71	Tijmen Eising (Netherlands)	145
  72	Egoitz Murgoitio (Spain)	143
  73	Jérome Chevallie (France)	139
  74	Martin Haring (Slovakia)	139
  75	Jens Westergren (Sweden)	139
  76	Peter Presslauer (Austria)	138
  77	Matthieu Boulo (France)	137
  78	Vaclav Metlicka (Slovakia)	137
  79	Arnaud Jouffroy (France)	136
  80	Sascha Weber (Germany)	136
  81	Lubomir Petrus (Czech Republic)	134
  82	Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic)	132
  83	Arnaud Grand (Switzerland)	132
  84	George-Daniel An (Romania)	120
  85	Kimmo Kananen (Finland)	120
  86	Lars Boom (Netherlands)	120
  87	Micki Van Empel (Netherlands)	117
  88	Ian Field (Great Britain)	116
  89	Daniel Summerhil (United States)	116
  90	Troy Wells (United States)	114
  91	Zdenek Mlynar (Czech Republic)	114
  92	Kenneth Van Comp (Belgium)	107
  93	Gusty Bausch (Luxembourg)	107
  94	Valentin Scherz (Switzerland)	107
  95	Vladimir Kyzivat (Czech Republic)	104
  96	Isaac Suarez Fer (Spain)	104
  97	Ivar Hartogs (Netherlands)	101
  98	José Antonio Her (Spain)	100
  99	Vincent Baestaen (Belgium)	99
  100	Florian Vogel (Switzerland)	99
  101	Adam Craig (United States)	98
  102	Nicholas Weighal (United States)	98
  103	Paul Oldham (Great Britain)	98
  104	Brian Matter (United States)	94
  105	Lukas Kloucek (Czech Republic)	93
  106	Sascha Wagner (Germany)	93
  107	Jody Crawforth (Great Britain)	92
  108	Mike Garrigan (Canada)	90
  109	David Lozano Rib (Spain)	90
  110	Mitchell Huender (Netherlands)	90
  111	Luke Keough (United States)	90
  112	Justin Lindine (United States)	90
  113	Tommy Nielsen (Denmark)	89
  114	Jesse Anthony (United States)	89
  115	Adam Myerson (United States)	86
  116	Marek Cichosz (Poland)	85
  117	Aaron Schooler (Canada)	84
  118	Tom Van Den Bosc (Belgium)	82
  119	Jan Van Dael (Belgium)	82
  120	David Seco Amund (Spain)	81
  121	Masanori Kosaka (Japan)	80
  122	Ben Berden (Belgium)	79
  123	Marko Lalonde (United States)	78
  124	Marek Konwa (Poland)	77
  125	Constantino Zaba (Spain)	76
  126	Corne Van Kessel (Netherlands)	75
  127	Andy Jacques-May (United States)	74
  128	Joshua Dillon (United States)	74
  129	Marco Ponta (Italy)	72
  130	Joeri Adams (Belgium)	72
  131	Yu Takenouchi (Japan)	67
  132	Tristan Schouten (United States)	67
  133	Pirmin Lang (Switzerland)	66
  134	Ole Quast (Germany)	66
  135	Paul Voss (Germany)	65
  136	Arnaud Labbe (France)	64
  137	Bram Schmitz (Netherlands)	62
  138	Roy Van Heeswijk (Netherlands)	62
  139	Evan Guthrie (Canada)	62
  140	Kevin Cant (Belgium)	61
  141	Roland Mörx (Austria)	60
  142	Magnus Darvell (Sweden)	60
  143	Lucian Logigan (Romania)	60
  144	Juha Kangaskokko (Finland)	60
  145	Jan Skarnitzl (Czech Republic)	60
  146	René Lang (Switzerland)	59
  147	Stef Boden (Belgium)	58
  148	Jan Soetens (Belgium)	57
  149	Jake Wells (United States)	57
  150	Marcel Meisen (Germany)	56
  151	Jerome Townsend (United States)	56
  152	Atsushi Maruyama (Japan)	55
  153	Tyler Trace (Canada)	55
  154	Pit Schlechter (Luxembourg)	54
  155	Finn Heitmann (Germany)	54
  156	Andreas Moser (Switzerland)	52
  157	David Kasek (Czech Republic)	52
  158	Ralph Naef (Switzerland)	50
  159	Kenneth Hansen (Denmark)	50
  160	Thomas Mair (Austria)	50
  161	Emil Lindgren (Sweden)	50
  162	Marius-Cristian (Romania)	50
  163	Olli Miettinen (Finland)	50
  164	Daniel Ruiz Eche (Spain)	49
  165	Stijn Huys (Belgium)	48
  166	Jiri Polnicky (Czech Republic)	47
  167	Ryan Iddings (United States)	47
  168	Pascal Triebel (Luxembourg)	46
  169	Mathias Flückige (Switzerland)	45
  170	Hannes Genze (Germany)	44
  171	William Dugan (United States)	44
  172	Marek Canecky (Slovakia)	43
  173	David Hackworth (United States)	42
  174	Matt Shriver (United States)	42
  175	Travis Livermon (United States)	41
  176	Lars Van Der Haa (Netherlands)	40
  177	Jannik Hyldtoft (Denmark)	40
  178	Karl Heinz Golli (Austria)	40
  179	Robert Banach (Poland)	40
  180	Hikaru Kosaka (Japan)	40
  181	Mattias Nilsson (Sweden)	40
  182	Bogdan Tiganescu (Romania)	40
  183	Craig Richey (Canada)	40
  184	Tommi Tuikka (Finland)	40
  185	Stuart Wearmouth (Great Britain)	40
  186	Alessandro Fonta (Italy)	38
  187	Martin Gujan (Switzerland)	37
  188	Justin Spinelli (United States)	36
  189	Jean-Eudes Demar (France)	35
  190	Matthias Rupp (Switzerland)	35
  191	Zach Mc Donald (United States)	35
  192	Arnold Jeannesso (France)	35
  193	Unai Yus Kerejet (Spain)	34
  194	Julien Pion (France)	34
  195	Thomas Girard (France)	34
  196	David Collins (Great Britain)	34
  197	Seigo Yamamoto (Japan)	33
  198	Ryan Knapp (United States)	33
  199	Michael Broderic (United States)	33
  200	Thomas Paccagnel (Italy)	32
  201	Andrew Watson (Canada)	32
  202	Julien Roussel (France)	32
  203	Wietse Bosmans (Belgium)	31
  204	Bryan Falaschi (Italy)	31
  205	Matteo Trentin (Italy)	31
  206	Fabian Danner (Germany)	31
  207	Shawn Bunnin (Canada)	31
  208	Tim Van Nuffel (Belgium)	31
  209	Ryan Dewald (United States)	31
  210	Jérôme Junker (Luxembourg)	30
  211	Jonas Schau Gudd (Denmark)	30
  212	Gerald Hauer (Austria)	30
  213	Slawomir Frejows (Poland)	30
  214	Inigo Gomez Elor (Spain)	30
  215	Ramon Sinkeldam (Netherlands)	30
  216	Chance Noble (United States)	30
  217	Mathias Karlsson (Sweden)	30
  218	Nicolae Tintea (Romania)	30
  219	Simon Lambert-Le (Canada)	30
  220	Jukka Heinikaine (Finland)	30
  221	Sven Beelen (Belgium)	29
  222	David Juarez Ald (Spain)	29
  223	Weston Schempf (United States)	29
  224	Florian Le Corre (France)	28
  225	Twan Van Den Bra (Netherlands)	25
  226	Vincent Dias Dos (Luxembourg)	25
  227	Henrik Andersen (Denmark)	25
  228	Sergio Mantecon (Spain)	25
  229	Stefan Herr (Austria)	25
  230	Lukasz Modzelews (Poland)	25
  231	Kamil Gradek (Poland)	25
  232	Jérémy Grimal (France)	25
  233	Calle Friberg (Sweden)	25
  234	Adrian Nitu (Romania)	25
  235	Brian Robinson (Canada)	25
  236	Petri K. Leppäne (Finland)	25
  237	Melvin Rulliere (France)	25
  238	Angelo De Clercq (Belgium)	24
  239	Rudi Van Houts (Netherlands)	24
  240	Jeremy Horgan-Ko (United States)	24
  241	Karsten Volkmann (Germany)	23
  242	Jared Stafford (Canada)	23
  243	Carl Decker (United States)	22
  244	Konrad Michael O (Germany)	22
  245	Kris Lapere (Belgium)	22
  246	Constantino Fern (Luxembourg)	20
  247	Jacob Kjeldsen (Denmark)	20
  248	Carlos Hernandez (Spain)	20
  249	Daniele Mensi (Italy)	20
  250	Patrick Hackl (Austria)	20
  251	Robert Pietrzak (Poland)	20
  252	Kornel Osicki (Poland)	20
  253	Martin Mahdar (Slovakia)	20
  254	Kazuya Nakayama (Japan)	20
  255	Lars Bleckur (Sweden)	20
  256	Andrei Varga (Romania)	20
  257	David Larson (Canada)	20
  258	Samuel Halme (Finland)	20
  259	Guillaume Perrot (France)	20
  260	Adam Mcgrath (United States)	20
  261	Clément Bourgoin (France)	19
  262	Gavin Mannion (United States)	19
  263	Robert Jebb (Great Britain)	18
  264	Petr Novotný (Czech Republic)	18
  265	Luca Braidot (Italy)	17
  266	Thomas Collinet (France)	17
  267	Tyler Wren (United States)	17
  268	Gianni Denolf (Belgium)	16
  269	Stuart Bowers (Great Britain)	16
  270	Dylan Mcnicholas (United States)	16
  271	Petr Cirkl (Czech Republic)	16
  272	Boris Zimine (France)	16
  273	Boldbaatar Bold- (Mongolia)	15
  274	Ariunbold Naranb (Mongolia)	15
  275	Olivier Laterza (Luxembourg)	15
  276	Kim Petersen (Denmark)	15
  277	Sean De Bie (Belgium)	15
  278	Matthias Allensp (Switzerland)	15
  279	Raphael Loidolt (Austria)	15
  280	Radoslaw Lonka (Poland)	15
  281	Dawid Janecki (Poland)	15
  282	Jan Büchmann (Germany)	15
  283	Aser Estevez Civ (Spain)	15
  284	Paul Herman (France)	15
  285	Matej Vysna (Slovakia)	15
  286	Ryohei Komori (Japan)	15
  287	Jeremy Ferguson (United States)	15
  288	Mikael Salomonss (Sweden)	15
  289	Ioan Neagu (Romania)	15
  290	Mathew Hewitt (Canada)	15
  291	Marko Leppämäki (Finland)	15
  292	Oscar Vazquez Cr (Spain)	15
  293	Bjorn Rondelez (Belgium)	15
  294	Irwin Gras (France)	15
  295	Alex Howes (United States)	14
  296	Geert Wellens (Belgium)	14
  297	Kirt Fitzpatrick (United States)	14
  298	Jonathan Sundt (United States)	14
  299	Jonathan Fumeaux (Switzerland)	13
  300	Daniele Braidot (Italy)	13
  301	Wojciech Herba (Poland)	13
  302	Felix Euteneuer (Germany)	13
  303	Oscar Boente (Spain)	13
  304	Justin Middleton (Canada)	13
  305	Andrew Wulfkuhle (United States)	13
  306	Fabien Taillefer (France)	13
  307	Derik Zampedri (Italy)	12
  308	James Lalonde (United States)	12
  309	Kaj Slenter (Netherlands)	12
  310	Nino Schurter (Switzerland)	12
  311	Mauro Gonzalez F (Spain)	12
  312	Martin Hunal (Czech Republic)	12
  313	Masashi Matsui (Japan)	11
  314	Zoltan Tisza (Hungary)	11
  315	Rafael Visinelli (Italy)	10
  316	Cyrille Heymans (Luxembourg)	10
  317	Joris Boillat (Switzerland)	10
  318	Allan Juul (Denmark)	10
  319	Ruben Veestraete (Belgium)	10
  320	Ismael Ventura S (Spain)	10
  321	Lukas Winterberg (Switzerland)	10
  322	Domenico Maria S (Italy)	10
  323	Florian König (Austria)	10
  324	Andrzej Michniak (Poland)	10
  325	Piotr Kurczab (Poland)	10
  326	Marcus Kaufmann (Germany)	10
  327	Enno Quast (Germany)	10
  328	Jon Gomez Elorri (Spain)	10
  329	Pascal Leroux (France)	10
  330	Stefan Gajdosik (Slovakia)	10
  331	Yoshinori Irie (Japan)	10
  332	Conor Mullervy (United States)	10
  333	Fredrik Svarm (Sweden)	10
  334	Shaun Adamson (Canada)	10
  335	Kyle Fry (Canada)	10
  336	Jaakko Sorvisto (Finland)	10
  337	Chris Sheppard (Canada)	10
  338	Romain Lejeune (France)	10
  339	Lewis Craven (Great Britain)	10
  340	Mitch Hoke (United States)	10
  341	Eric Thompson (United States)	10
  342	Kristof Cop (Belgium)	10
  343	Russell Stevenso (United States)	10
  344	Thomas Lapeyrie (France)	10
  345	Daniel Booth (Great Britain)	9
  346	Eric Brungger (Switzerland)	8
  347	Fabio Aru (Italy)	8
  348	Mariusz Woznicki (Poland)	8
  349	Marcus Schulte-L (Germany)	8
  350	Michael Schweize (Germany)	8
  351	Ismael Felix Bar (Spain)	8
  352	Yoann Corbihan (France)	8
  353	Boy Van Poppel (Netherlands)	8
  354	Cuylar Conly (Canada)	8
  355	Nathaniel Ward (United States)	8
  356	Grant Berry (United States)	8
  357	Sam Krieg (United States)	8
  358	Tobias Erler (Germany)	8
  359	Greg Wittwer (United States)	8
  360	Molly Cameron (United States)	8
  361	Mark Thwaites (Great Britain)	8
  362	Flavien Dassonvi (France)	8
  363	Thomas Lemaitre (France)	8
  364	David Menger (Czech Republic)	7
  365	Kevin Eeckhout (Belgium)	6
  366	Christian Schnei (Germany)	6
  367	Drew Mckenzie (Canada)	6
  368	Tom Vannoppen (Belgium)	6
  369	Santiago Armero (Spain)	6
  370	René Obst (Germany)	6
  371	Davy Yeater (United States)	6
  372	Ludovic Renard (France)	6
  373	Masayuki Gouda (Japan)	6
  374	Stanislav Bambul (Czech Republic)	6
  375	Pieter Ghylleber (Belgium)	6
  376	Jamie Newall (Great Britain)	6
  377	Jacobe Keough (United States)	6
  378	Kevin Noiles (Canada)	6
  379	Bretislav Rohel (Czech Republic)	6
  380	Tom Last (Great Britain)	6
  381	Jan Nesvadba (Czech Republic)	6
  382	Osmond Bakker (Canada)	5
  383	Naran Khangarid (Mongolia)	5
  384	Baasankhuu Myagm (Mongolia)	5
  385	Yves Corminboeuf (Switzerland)	5
  386	Philipp Bützow (Luxembourg)	5
  387	Christof Bischof (Switzerland)	5
  388	Torben Ternstrøm (Denmark)	5
  389	Juan Carlos Gome (Spain)	5
  390	Peter Frei (Switzerland)	5
  391	Igor Smarzaro (Italy)	5
  392	Andreas Mayer (Austria)	5
  393	Krzysztof Florcz (Poland)	5
  394	Mateusz Chmurzew (Poland)	5
  395	Óscar Martínez (Spain)	5
  396	Pierre Garson (France)	5
  397	Kevin Smit (Netherlands)	5
  398	Jozef Zima (Slovakia)	5
  399	Nathan Bannerman (United States)	5
  400	Martin Filipsson (Sweden)	5
  401	Kevin Calhoun (Canada)	5
  402	Matthew Krahn (Canada)	5
  403	Ari Kansikas (Finland)	5
  404	Jack Hinkens (United States)	5
  405	Jordy Luisman (Netherlands)	5
  406	Alessandro Calde (Italy)	4
  407	Shintarou Nakama (Japan)	4
  408	Kristian Hynek (Czech Republic)	4
  409	Lukas Prihoda (Czech Republic)	4
  410	Quentin Berthole (Belgium)	4
  411	Nathan Wyatt (United States)	4
  412	Thibault Taboury (France)	4
  413	Michael Wildhabe (Switzerland)	3
  414	Daniele Dall'ost (Italy)	3
  415	Pawel Wojczal (Poland)	3
  416	Toni Bretschneid (Germany)	3
  417	Gonzalo De Luis (Spain)	3
  418	Jimmy Turgis (France)	3
  419	Geert Van Der Ho (Netherlands)	3
  420	Steve Fisher (United States)	3
  421	Stephen Cooley (Canada)	3
  422	Justin Robinson (United States)	3
  423	Nicholas Craig (Great Britain)	3
  424	Karel Nepras (Czech Republic)	3
  425	Ned Overend (United States)	3
  426	Matt Pacocha (United States)	2
  427	Cameron Jette (Canada)	2
  428	Antonio Suarez F (Spain)	2
  429	Alec Donahue (United States)	2
  430	David Bertram (Germany)	2
  431	Julien Belgy (France)	2
  432	Shinya Ikemoto (Japan)	2
  433	Lionel Genthon (France)	2
  434	Guillaume Neless (United States)	2
  435	Nico Brüngger (Switzerland)	2
  436	Bart Verschueren (Belgium)	2
  437	Mitchell Kerstin (United States)	2
  438	Wim Leemans (Belgium)	2
  439	Julien Trehin (France)	2
  440	Adam Bergman (United States)	1
  441	Kyle Douglas (Canada)	1
  442	Joseph Thompson (United States)	1
  443	David Pagnier (France)	1
  444	Andreas Kugler (Switzerland)	1
  445	Martino Fruet (Italy)	1
  446	Dave De Cleyn (Belgium)	1
  447	Damian Schmitt (United States)	1
  448	Nathan Chown (Canada)	1
  449	Peter Bradshaw (United States)	1
  450	Brady Kappius (United States)	1
  451	Stefan Freudenbe (Germany)	1
  452	Brad Perley (United States)	1
  453	Brandon Dwight (United States)	1
  454	Josef Soukup (Czech Republic)	1
  455	Ian Brown (United States)	1
  456	Mark Batty (Canada)	1
  457	Tom Burke (United States)	1
  458	Rickey Visinski (United States)	1
  459	Ben Eedy (Great Britain)	1
  460	Théo Vimpere (France)	1
  461	Thomas Vernaeckt (Belgium)	1

  Elite women's UCI cyclo-cross standings - January 12, 2010

  1	Katherine Compton (United States)	1600	pts
  2	Daphny Van Den Brand (Netherlands)	1542
  3	Marianne Vos (Netherlands)	1420
  4	Sanne Van Paassen (Netherlands)	1023
  5	Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (France)	912
  6	Sanne Cant (Belgium)	885
  7	Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany)	883
  8	Caroline Mani (France)	802
  9	Pavla Havlikova (Czech Republic)	685
  10	Helen Wyman (Great Britain)	679
  11	Katerina Nash (Czech Republic)	545
  12	Linda Van Rijen (Netherlands)	478
  13	Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (France)	467
  14	Joyce Vanderbeken (Belgium)	434
  15	Nadia Triquet-Claude (France)	407
  16	Eva Lechner (Italy)	390
  17	Elisabeth Brandau (Germany)	359
  18	Gabriella Day (Great Britain)	340
  19	Jana Kyptova (Czech Republic)	331
  20	Jasmin Achermann (Switzerland)	311
  21	Nikki Harris (Great Britain)	303
  22	Reza Hormes (Netherlands)	301
  23	Amy Dombroski (United States)	293
  24	Sophie De Boer (Netherlands)	290
  25	Katrin Leumann (Switzerland)	279
  26	Evelyn Staffler (Italy)	261
  27	Arenda Grimberg (Netherlands)	250
  28	Maureen Guichardot (France)	247
  29	Nikoline Hansen (Denmark)	243
  30	Natasha Elliott (Canada)	236
  31	Mary Mcconneloug (United States)	230
  32	Meredith Miller (United States)	217
  33	Veronica Alessio (Italy)	214
  34	Alison Sydor (Canada)	202
  35	Laura Van Gilder (United States)	200
  36	Maureen Bruno Roy (United States)	199
  37	Nancy Bober (Belgium)	198
  38	Zuzana Vojtasova (Slovakia)	197
  39	Susan Butler (United States)	189
  40	Ayako Toyooka (Japan)	188
  41	Rosa Maria Bravo Soba (Spain)	177
  42	Georgia Gould (United States)	168
  43	Elke Riedl (Austria)	160
  44	Martina Zwick (Germany)	158
  45	Alison Dunlap (United States)	155
  46	Vicki Thomas (Canada)	146
  47	Saskia Elemans (Netherlands)	143
  48	Christine Vardaros (United States)	138
  49	Andrea Smith (United States)	136
  50	Nicole De Bie - Leyten (Belgium)	135
  51	Sabrina Schweizer (Germany)	130
  52	Camille Darcel (France)	129
  53	Deidre Winfield (United States)	129
  54	Christine Majerus (Luxembourg)	120
  55	Rocio Gamonal Ferrera (Spain)	120
  56	Marzena Wasiuk (Poland)	120
  57	Kajsa Snihs (Sweden)	120
  58	Carina Ketonen (Finland)	120
  59	Francesca Cucciniello (Italy)	112
  60	Ellen Van Loy (Belgium)	106
  61	Linda Sone (United States)	104
  62	Kristin Wentworth (United States)	100
  63	Zuzana Pirzkallova (Czech Republic)	98
  64	Kelli Emmett (United States)	97
  65	Kaitlin Antonneau (United States)	97
  66	Rebecca Wellons (United States)	94
  67	Amanda Carey (United States)	94
  68	Suzie Godart (Luxembourg)	92
  69	Pepper Harlton (Canada)	92
  70	Vania Rossi (Italy)	90
  71	Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France)	89
  72	Stefania Vecchio (Italy)	88
  73	Katrien Thijs (Belgium)	85
  74	Masami Mashimo (Japan)	80
  75	Nicoletta Bresciani (Italy)	77
  76	Jennifer Sagesser (Switzerland)	76
  77	Martina Mikulaskova (Czech Republic)	74
  78	Veerle Ingels (Belgium)	73
  79	Susanne Juranek (Germany)	72
  80	Sabrina Stultiens (Netherlands)	66
  81	Rebecca Talen (Netherlands)	64
  82	Anna Barensfeld (United States)	62
  83	Lise-Marie Henzelin (Switzerland)	60
  84	Anne-Marie Schmitt (Luxembourg)	60
  85	Mette Andersen (Denmark)	60
  86	Silke Schrattenecker (Austria)	60
  87	Rocio Martin Rodriguez (Spain)	60
  88	Dorota Warczyk (Poland)	60
  89	Michaela Malarikova (Slovakia)	60
  90	Asa Maria Erlandsson (Sweden)	60
  91	Lavinia Nicoleta Rolea (Romania)	60
  92	Pia Pensaari (Finland)	60
  93	Birgit Hollmann (Germany)	59
  94	Stéphanie Vaxillaire-Denuit (France)	59
  95	Alexandra Bähler (Switzerland)	59
  96	Agnes Naumann (Germany)	58
  97	Kari Studley (United States)	53
  98	Michiko Shimura (Japan)	52
  99	Karen Verhestraeten (Belgium)	50
  100	Birgitte Nielsen (Denmark)	50
  101	Petra Zehetner (Austria)	50
  102	Kinga Mudyn (Poland)	50
  103	Masumi Sakai (Japan)	50
  104	Angelica Edvardsson (Sweden)	50
  105	Maria-Patricia Plumbota (Romania)	50
  106	Mical Dyck (Canada)	50
  107	Sari Puumala (Finland)	50
  108	Barbara Howe (United States)	50
  109	Marlène Morel Petitgirard (France)	48
  110	Sarah Stewart (Canada)	48
  111	Marina Giger (Switzerland)	47
  112	Kim Van Renterghem (Belgium)	45
  113	Lise Müller (Switzerland)	45
  114	Katrien Vermeiren (Belgium)	44
  115	Kristin Gavin (United States)	41
  116	Nikki Thiemann (United States)	41
  117	Daniela Bresciani (Italy)	40
  118	Christine Kovelter (Luxembourg)	40
  119	Trine Lorenzen (Denmark)	40
  120	Loes Sels (Belgium)	40
  121	Barbara Hütter (Austria)	40
  122	Fabienne Niederberger (Switzerland)	40
  123	Aida Nuno Palacio (Spain)	40
  124	Barbara Stanislawiak (Poland)	40
  125	Malin Rydlund (Sweden)	40
  126	Heli Ovaska (Finland)	40
  127	Ludivine Henrion (Belgium)	38
  128	Gesa Bruchmann (Germany)	38
  129	Chika Fukumoto (Japan)	38
  130	Perrine Philippe (France)	35
  131	Alexa Hüni (Germany)	33
  132	Pavlina Marackova (Czech Republic)	32
  133	Lucie Novakova (Czech Republic)	32
  134	Monique Ludovicy (Luxembourg)	30
  135	Annette Berg (Denmark)	30
  136	Beate Eysinger (Austria)	30
  137	Lucia Vazquez (Spain)	30
  138	Karolina Kalasova (Czech Republic)	30
  139	Agnieszka Rek (Poland)	30
  140	Ellinor Stenhammer (Sweden)	30
  141	Jean Ann Mckirdy (Canada)	30
  142	Anna Ronkainen (Finland)	30
  143	Michaela Istvanova (Czech Republic)	28
  144	Ann Hansgate (United States)	28
  145	Sara Bresnick (United States)	28
  146	Renata Bucher (Switzerland)	27
  147	Kate Potter (Australia)	26
  148	Elisabetta Borgia (Italy)	26
  149	Anette Damgaard Andersen (Denmark)	25
  150	Mercedes Pacios Pujalo (Spain)	25
  151	Jitka Skarnitzlova (Czech Republic)	25
  152	Olga Niewiarowska (Poland)	25
  153	Orina Nakajima (Japan)	25
  154	Hanna Konttinen (Finland)	25
  155	Alexandra Rannou (France)	24
  156	Linnea Koons (United States)	22
  157	Arley Kemmerer (United States)	22
  158	Rebecca Much (United States)	21
  159	Bénédicte Herve (France)	20
  160	Helle Hygum (Denmark)	20
  161	Fanny Martinet (Switzerland)	20
  162	Isabella Arman (Italy)	20
  163	Helen Grobert (Germany)	20
  164	Monique Van De Ree (Netherlands)	20
  165	Olatz Odriozola Mujika (Spain)	20
  166	Natalia Mitkowska (Poland)	20
  167	Ikumi Tajika (Japan)	20
  168	Waka Takeda (Japan)	19
  169	Kimberly Flynn (United States)	19
  170	Lyne Bessette (Canada)	17
  171	Caeli Barron (Canada)	16
  172	Ione Mujika Sarasketa (Spain)	15
  173	Romana Daneckova (Czech Republic)	15
  174	Karolina Garczynska (Poland)	15
  175	Judita Lorencová (Czech Republic)	15
  176	Sally Annis (United States)	14
  177	Bridget Linder (Canada)	13
  178	Elena Valentini (Italy)	13
  179	Anna Milkowski (United States)	13
  180	Cynthia Huygens (France)	12
  181	Martina Giovanniello (Italy)	12
  182	Lea Davison (United States)	12
  183	Anne Arnouts (Belgium)	11
  184	Elizabeth Frye (United States)	11
  185	Bianca Van Den Hoek (Netherlands)	10
  186	Saioa Olitc Caluo (Spain)	10
  187	Katarzyna Janicka (Poland)	10
  188	Noriko Yamaguchi (Japan)	10
  189	Nozomi Nakamichi (Japan)	10
  190	Sakiko Miyauchi (Japan)	10
  191	Marne Smiley (United States)	9
  192	Alison Powers (United States)	9
  193	Crystal Anthony (United States)	9
  194	Wendy Williams (United States)	9
  195	Carolyn Popovic (United States)	8
  196	Celine Ernst (Switzerland)	7
  197	Loni Klettl (Canada)	7
  198	Denise Breu (Switzerland)	7
  199	Catherine Lohri (Switzerland)	7
  200	Kris Walker (United States)	6
  201	Corey Coogan (United States)	6
  202	Erica Yozell Miller (United States)	6
  203	Jennifer Maxwell (United States)	6
  204	Jenni Gaertner (United States)	6
  205	Emily Van Meter (United States)	6
  206	Doris Arman (Italy)	5
  207	Jana Suess (Germany)	5
  208	Linda Kroes (Netherlands)	5
  209	Maria Jesus Barros Fernandez (Spain)	5
  210	Rebecca Blatt (United States)	5
  211	Lisa Curry (United States)	5
  212	Nora Schaufuss (Germany)	5
  213	Iris Ockeloen (Netherlands)	4
  214	Perri Mertens (Australia)	4
  215	Arielle Filiberti (United States)	4
  216	Kristine Church (United States)	4
  217	Liv-Susanne Bachmann (Germany)	4
  218	Lisa Strong (United States)	4
  219	Heather Irmiger (United States)	4
  220	Veerle Goossens (Netherlands)	3
  221	Céline Kluska (France)	3
  222	Pauline Godey (France)	3
  223	Robin Williams (United States)	3
  224	Masami Noma (Japan)	3
  225	Daniela Storch (Germany)	3
  226	Desiree Ehrler (Switzerland)	3
  227	Joele Guynup (United States)	3
  228	Nicole Borem (United States)	3
  229	Katrina Baumsteiger (United States)	3
  230	Devon Haskell (United States)	3
  231	Alice Pennington (United States)	3
  232	Maki Mitsuda (Japan)	2
  233	Romy Schneider (Germany)	2
  234	Sarah Maile (United States)	2
  235	Lauri Webber (United States)	2
  236	Karen Potter (United States)	2
  237	Rhonda Mazza (United States)	2
  238	Sophie Borra (Netherlands)	1
  239	Chiara Vannucci (Italy)	1
  240	Coryn Rivera (United States)	1
  241	Holly Klug (United States)	1
  242	Mailin Hummel (Germany)	1
  243	Deb Sweeney Whitmore (United States)	1
  244	Junko Ueda (Japan)	1
  245	Benita Wesselhoeft (Germany)	1
  246	Evie Boswell-Vilt (United States)	1
  247	Kristal Boni (United States)	1
  248	Lenore Pipes (United States)	1
  249	Karin Holmes (United States)	1
  250	Ashley James (United States)	1
  251	Annajean Dallaire (United States)	1
  252	Cris Rothfuss (United States)	1
  253	Emma Bast (United States)	1
  254	Patricia Buerkle (United States)	1
  255	Kristi Berg (United States)	1
  256	Kacey Mandefield (United States)	1

• Vos, Van den Brand loyal in search of Dutch 'cross world title

  

  Article published:

  January 14, 2010, 13:26

  By:

  Christine Vardaros

  Country comes first in the race for the rainbow bands

  A special bond between Dutch compatriots Marianne Vos and Daphny Van den Brand may prove to be the deciding factor in the upcoming Cyclo-cross World Championships women's race.

  The battle for the rainbow bands is expected to be fought between three racers, American Katie Compton (Planet Bike) and two riders from The Netherlands, Daphny Van den Brand (ZZPR.nl-DESTIL-Merida) and current World Champion Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit).

  Ranked second and third behind Compton in both UCI and World Cup overall, the odds fall in favor of the Dutch riders due to an extraordinary bond between Van den Brand and Vos - one rarely seen at top level 'cross competition.

  Teamwork is rare in cyclo-cross, with the exception of the world-dominant Belgian men who last year joined forces to triumph over The Netherlands' Lars Boom. Yet that coalition was only achieved after the crushing defeat to Boom caused by the Belgians' internal strife.

  Van den Brand and Vos have repeatedly put their country loyalties, but more importantly their respect for and friendship with one another above their own personal designs in World Cups and World Championships.

  The bond was most recently exemplified by their teamwork in Kalmthout and Koksijde World Cups, where they worked together to hold off Compton. "Marianne and I understand each other - in the race, before the race and after the race. When we look at each other we know what to do or what not to do. And if we don't understand each other then we talk in the race," Van den Brand told Cyclingnews.

  "We also respect each other. When she is the best she can win. I have peace with that. And we're good friends. We can laugh with each other. It's fun."

  The plan for this year's World Championships is like every year for the dynamic duo. Vos said, "Just try to get in front at the start. And don't chase each other – only the other countries. Try to help each other if there's one in need. We always stick to the plan."

  Van den Brand confirmed Vos' sentiments, adding, "It's important for us that a Dutch girl wins. But if we are in a position to fight each other for the win, then we do it!"

  Supplementing their one-two punch is countrymate, and trade teammate of Van den Brand, Sanne Van Paassen who is ranked 4th, just behind the two, in both UCI and World Cup. While she may not be strong enough to do some damage in the front, she offers to not work against her countrymates, instead gain her advantage from them. "For example, if Marianne is gone and I am with Hanka [Kupfernagel and Christel [Ferrier-Bruneau], I won't ride to Marianne because they have to do it - and I save my energy," explained Van Paassen.

  Regarding trade team loyalties between Van Paassen and Van den Brand, Vos said, "That doesn't affect the relationship between me and Daphny or me and Sanne. It's not a point."

  As for each rider's individual ambitions for World Championships, all three acknowledge that the course conditions may determine the race outcome as it is expected to be icy with snow, basically a repeat of the Dutch National Championships last weekend where Van den Brand took home her eleventh jersey.

  Vos surmised, "It's going to be a bit of a lottery because of crashes. It's good we already had races in the snow so we are more prepared." If the weather permits, expect to see the Dutch women once again attempting to tag-team their way to the top.

• Dutch name Elite 'cross Worlds teams

  

  Article published:

  January 15, 2010, 04:00

  By:

  Cycling News

  Boom absent from men's team, Vos and Van Den Brand lead women's squad

  The Netherlands announced the rosters for its Elite men's and women's cyclo-cross world championship teams on Tuesday. Only three men will contest the Elite championship on January 31, comprised of Gerben de Knegt, Thijs Al and Thijs van Amerongen. Lars Boom, the 2008 'cross world champion, will not compete at the world championships in Tabor, Czech Republic.

  The 24-year-old Boom intends to spend the season on the road and rode his final 'cross race of the season Sunday at the Dutch national championships, according to AFP. Boom, competing in only his second 'cross race of the season, won the Dutch national championship for the second consecutive year.

  The Netherlands will be represented by six women in the Elite world championship, led by reigning world champion Marianne Vos and newly crowned Dutch national champion Daphny Van Den Brand, who earned a record-setting 11th title on Saturday. Also on the team are national championship bronze medalist Sanne van Paassen, Linda van Rijen, Sophie de Boer and Reza Hormes.

  The U23 men's and Junior men's world championship selections for the Netherlands will be announced at a later date.

• Johnson opts for unconventional worlds preparations

  

  Article published:

  January 16, 2010, 21:44

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  American 'cross national champ prepares in California

  US Cyclo-cross National Champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) accepted an automatic invitation to compete with the US National Team at the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic, on January 31. Johnson is currently training in Santa Barbara, California, and hopes that the atypical, warm weather training will give him a competitive edge against his world-class competitors at the grand finale.

  "The reason why I went a different direction is because I've done the World Championships preparations a lot of other ways in the past," Johnson said. "I've gone over right after nationals, before Christmas, after Christmas. I've got a little bit of background to look at in order to see what works for me. Hopefully this is the one that works well."

  Johnson sported his new stars and stripes skinsuit for the first time since he won the championship event at the Surf City Cyclo-cross held in Santa Cruz last weekend, where he took a convincing win. Some might wonder how well sunny California will prepare him for what could be one of the coldest and iciest World Championships.

  "I don't think that I would want to do it any other way and so far, it's been great," Johnson said. "I can train my legs and my head well here, and it's easy to train here."

  Johnson won his third title at the US National Cyclo-Cross Championships held in Bend, Oregon, in mid-December. He claimed his previous wins in Kansas City in 2000 and 2007. The New Englander has competed at the World Championships on seven occasion and he is best known for capturing a bronze medal at the Under 23 World Championships in Poprad in 1999.

  Following nationals, he turned his full attention to specific training for the World Championships. However, he will only compete against his competitors once before the big day at the final World Cup in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands.

  "I can put a lot of effort into it and get something out of my training here, as opposed to dealing with bad weather and travel, " said Johnson who remained on the west coast following the national championships. "I have to try and balance cyclo-cross with my other part of the season which is the road. I'm not sure how it's going to go at worlds, but I think I'm doing pretty good."

  Johnson's specific cyclo-cross and cross training workouts include short intervals, hiking and cross country skiing. "If you don't have a chance to race, you have to try and recreate it," he said. "I've been doing hill intervals, the stuff that cross races are made of like speed changes, hard efforts. I've been trying to stay sharp."

  "I'm trying to get my body ready for the intense effort again and get my head wrapped around the fact that the season has whipped up to its peak," he said. "I only have Hoogerheide and worlds left. I know it's a huge challenge, but I think I'm doing the majority of things right to make it possible to do well. With a little bit of luck, we will see what happens."

  Johnson will travel overseas next week and take the opportunity to recover for several days before lining up to compete in his first World Cup of the season in Hoogerheide. He will then travel to Tabor, Czech Republic, and spend several days warming up on the World Championships course.

  "I've checked out as much of the course as I could," Johnson said. "I've watched all the races that have been going on over there. I feel like I could do more work by trying to dial in the course once I see it. All the background prep, I've been able to get a handle on. I'm trying to be as realistic as possible.

  Johnson's American teammates at worlds will include Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), Ryan Trebon (Kona-FSA), Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com).

• Stellar day for Nash in Roubaix

  

  Article published:

  January 17, 2010, 22:16

  By:

  Brecht Decaluwé

  Czech racer logs a win two weeks before worlds in Tabor

  The UCI World Cup cyclo-cross win from Luna's Katerina Nash on an extremely challenging, muddy course around the famous vélodrome of Roubaix in the cyclo-cross came as a major surprise to many on Sunday although Nash has already proven she can compete with the best in cyclo-cross with a top three last season in Pijnacker.

  The Czech racer has spent a majority of her competitive years in the US, where she has won the USGP Cyclo-cross series and countless mountain bike races. The race in Roubaix was only the second 'cross World Cup round of the season for Nash. She claimed a fifth place in Nommay at the World Cup stop in November.

  "I knew that on a good day I was capable of finishing on the podium in the World Cup," Nash said to Cyclingnews. The California-based racer flew over to Europe last week for only the second time this cyclo-cross season. It was a worthwhile trip since as she won the Czech cyclo-cross championships.

  The Czech champion opted not to ride in every cyclo-cross World Cup of the season, even though she said she'd been fully focusing on the discipline.

  "I'm riding with a US-based team, and this is just the way I build up my season. I'm riding the next World Cup mainly to gather World Cup points and improve my start position at the World Championships," said Nash. "I'm really motivated to perform well there, as I'll be riding on home soil [in Tabor]."

  "Afterwards, I'll be back on the mountain bike which is my main discipline, but rest assured that cyclo-cross has my full focus, whereas a few years ago I didn't consider it that important," Nash said.

  Nash left aside the question of whether she'd switch her primary focus from mountain biking to cyclo-cross. Whatever she decides, she can still enjoy the sight of her cobble-trophy on the mantelpiece.

• Compton absent from Roubaix World Cup start line

  

  Article published:

  January 17, 2010, 23:04

  By:

  Brecht Decaluwé and Laura Weislo

  American sidelined after leg cramps return

  A few hours before the Roubaix round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, supporters in the camp of Katie Compton (Planet Bike) were still hoping that she would be able to race, maybe even without warming up, but eventually all realized that she was suffering leg cramps that prohibited her from riding a bike.

  The American was fully aware that by not starting, her successful few months of 'cross had come to an abrupt end, with the future looking grim.

  "Losing the World Cup lead is tough," said her husband Mark Legg. "We were very close to making history with Katie as the first American to not only lead the World Cup competition but to be the first American to win the overall World Cup title. It would have been a huge step forward for American cyclo-cross. We'll just have to come back again fight it out against some very tough competition for the overall win."

  "The last time I had these leg cramps, I struggled for about two to three weeks, so I'm afraid that I can forget about the World Cup (next weekend) and the World Championships," Compton said, facing a tough situation.

  "Yesterday, I crashed on my thighs on that steep drop, but I don't think that caused the problems. The traveling must've done it again. I'd rather fight for it and lose it, than have to give it up by not starting. All the girls respect each other and feel the same," Compton told Cyclingnews.

  Compton was upset with having to watch the race instead of participating though there was a bright spot. "We were both very happy to see fellow US resident and rider Katerina [Nash] win today," said Legg. "We always knew she was capable of a World Cup win. Winning in Roubaix makes the win a little extra special so we're both happy for Katerina." Nash, a citizen of the Czech Republic, resides in the US.

  "We are going to rest and hope her legs will free up before Hoogerheide, but right now only her legs will determine our future this week," said Legg.

  "We want to get on top of this disorder but due to its complexity, it will take a real specialist to find the answer. Our goal is to hope someone can help Katie. We've been dealing with this for a number of years, and it just keeps on changing on us and to save everyone out there the question, no it's not a question of eating more bananas."

• Tom Meeusen: The Next Sven Nys?

  

  Article published:

  January 19, 2010, 14:59

  By:

  Christine Vardaros

  Belgian espoir ready for elite challenge

  When under-23 rider Tom Meeusen (Telenet-Fidea) landed on the podium last weekend at Belgium's Elite National Cyclo-Cross Championships, contested on a highly technical course, fans were quick to tip him off as the next "Sven Nys" - arguably the best technical rider in the peloton.

  His authoritative performance in the elite category on technical terrain was not his first this season. Meeusen has twice placed second to Nys in Scheldecross and Middelkerke. He also finished fourth in Tervuren earlier this month in a sprint over World Champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus.)

  At 21 years of age, Meeusen still competes in the under-23 category at all top international events such as World Cups and World Championships, but since earning his professional contract last season, he rides with the elites at National-level events.

  When asked about his recent jump in performance, he told Cyclingnews, "Last year I had a lot of problems with illness and everything going wrong. I had no trainer so I worked hard but not right. Starting this year, I have a trainer named Jos Henderieckx. I talk with him every day and he tells me what to do. I feel really happy with him. The progression that I am making is because of him."

  He is also quick to credit mountain bike racing. "I always need motivation in the summer to do the hard work. I like road racing but I think it's boring to do it the whole summer. So for me, the mountain bike is perfect for that - I like more the technical aspect of races. It's good preparation for cyclo-cross."

  Henderieckx wholeheartedly approves, telling Meeusen, "If you like it, you have to do it." His talent clearly crosses over to the mountain bike as he is Belgium's under-23 Champion. Similar to Nys, Meeusen ended his mountain bike season in Australia at World Championships. He placed 13th in the under-23 category.

  While he is really excited by the recent attention he has received, he is quick to add, "The cross races where I was second were not big ones like GVA or Superprestige. Even so, I was happy with the results. Regarding Nationals, it's good to have admiration from everybody in Belgium and it's really special for a U-23 to be on the podium."

  Once he graduates to the elite category full time next season he has an idea of what to expect. "It's a totally different race for me when I ride with U-23. I am usually top favorite and everybody in the race looks to me to make the race. But with the elites, I can go on a wheel and say, "yeah, I'm only a U-23 rider" so I can stay in wheels and things like that. I don't have much pressure so it's easier to ride for a good place. But next year when I have to ride every week with the elites it will be not so easy I think," explains Meeusen.

  As for World Championships in Tabor in two weeks, Meeusen is glad to remain in the under-23 category one more time. "The [Belgian] national pro level is high but at Worlds there are so many more international people that it will be a much higher level. Guys like [Francis] Mourey and Styby [teammate Zdenek Stybar] will be there," says Meeusen.

  With nervous laughter he adds, "I am not so sure that I'm going to win the U-23 title. I hope I will be on the podium. I will work hard and I will try to win but now in Belgium a lot of people expect that I go win the World Championships, but it's pretty hard."

  As for his competition, he names Cristian Cominelli of Italy, Marek Konwa of Poland, and teammates Kacper and Pawel Szczepaniak of Poland, and Robert Gavenda of Slovakia.

  In response to his newly earned label of "The Next Sven Nys," Meeusen says, "Huh! I don't know. I didn't hear it but I was already happy that Nys and [Teammate Bart] Wellens called my name before the National Championships as a favorite for the podium. But the next Sven Nys? I don't know. He is already 7 times Belgian Champion and I don't know how many times he won the Superprestige, GVA and World Cup. Huh. He is so big! I don't think I'm as good as him."

  Maybe not at the moment, but at 21 he has some time to get there.