First Cyclo-cross news & racing round-up, Sunday, October 11, 2009

• Previous Edition
• Next Edition

Date published:

October 11, 2009, 07:00

• Video: Rider interviews from CrossVegas

  

  Article published:

  October 6, 2009, 15:39

  By:

  Cycling News

  Cyclingnews speaks to the stars of CrossVegas

  Re-live the electricity and excitement of CrossVegas with video interviews from the stars of the men's and women's fields.

  US national champion Ryan Trebon, US national champion Katie Compton, Todd Wells, Georgia Gould, Bram De Groot and Kelli Emmett share their thoughts about the racing action and the season ahead.

  Additionally, Cyclingnews spoke to Tyler Hamilton who was taking in his first CrossVegas experience.

  Check out the action on the Cyclingnews Video Player!

  Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

• Recovered Johnson aiming for ‘cross worlds

  

  Article published:

  October 7, 2009, 13:50

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  USGP, North American Trophy also in rider's sights

  Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) is on a quest to pick up valuable International Cycling Union (UCI) points after an injury setback prevented him from racing during the first month of the 2009-2010 calendar. The defending US Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross (USGP) champion started the vital rebuilding process by capturing his first victory last weekend, the first step toward his goals of competing in the World Championships held on January 31 in Tabor, Czech Republic.

  Johnson sustained a grade one separated shoulder following a crash in the season opener’s Star Crossed held in Seattle, Washington last month. He tried to start CrossVegas but withdrew and was forced to skip the first round of USGP races held in Madison, Wisconsin last week. He has only been able to finish two of the seven races thus far, with a fourth place and win at the Gran Prix of Gloucester.

  “This is definitely not the start of the season that I was expecting,” said the former US champion. “I don’t have many points and only two finishes so far. It’s going to set me back for at least the next few weeks until that next World Cup comes. It’s got to be race by race.”

  UCI points were reset after the first World Cup held in Treviso, Italy on October 4. The UCI points accumulated during the 2008-2009 cyclo-cross season are erased and only points captured from September, the start of the 2009-2010 season, count.

  “I think that the points will be a real hindrance to making the races go my way,” said Johnson, who has a total of 42 points. “I should be second or third row, I think. I'm not sure of the total [points], but it'll leave me wanting I'm sure. When I came back to 'cross in 2005 I was starting last row for the first few weeks of the year; it wasn't a whole lot of fun, believe me!”

  Prior to his accident Johnson was hoping to start off the season in winning fashion. “I had a solid road season with the OUCH-Maxxis boys and finished off with a great Tour of Missouri,” he said. “I was really focused on CrossVegas and the first weekend of the USGP in Madison. As with anything though, you can't always count on things going your way. Crashing at Star Crossed and hurting my shoulder was really the last thing on my mind.”

  Last year he displayed his resilience to injury when he crashed at the USGP’s Mercer Cup while on his way to victory in the first round. The injured knee prevented Johnson from starting the second round the following day and he forfeited his USGP lead to rival Ryan Trebon (Kona). He regained that lead and went on the win the USGP title at the series’ final weekend held in Portland, Oregon.

  “I think that it will work out fine in the end for my teammates Jeremy [Powers] and James [Driscoll],” Johnson said. “I'll be coming up from behind, depending on start position and will be able to join in later on. James really stepped it up these first few weeks of the season and I think that Jeremy is riding very strong right now. He should be in the hunt for the overall at the USGP's again.”

  The New Englander’s first triumph of the season was a solo victory at the Gran Prix of Gloucester ahead of Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) in second place and teammate Powers in third.

  “This was huge,” Johnson said. “I came through that start-finish line and it was wall-to-wall people on both sides. It’s one of those things that you can’t describe until it happens and once it’s gone, it’s gone and you wish you could have it again. I’ve been lucky enough to win here in the past and to win again is definitely really special.”

  Johnson’s cyclo-cross season will continue with a double header in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend followed by the remaining USGP events at the Derby City Cup in Louisville, Mercer Cup in New Jersey and Portland Cup. He also has his sights set on the North American Cyclo-Cross Trophy series title racing in Toronto International, Blue Sky Velo and Boulder Cup and South Hampton’s Super Cross.

  “I'll try and be on my best form for US Nationals in Bend,” said Johnson. “I'm also planning on trying for the World Championships in Tabor. With Tour of California's switch from February to May, hopefully it will be possible to do it better than I did two years ago. It was too tight between them and it wound up not working out very well.”

  Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

• Summerhill hoping to capitalise on 'cross experiences

  

  Article published:

  October 9, 2009, 03:46

  By:

  Greg Johnson

  Strong European showing the goal for U23 rider

  Danny Summerhill is aiming for a strong cyclo-cross season in Europe this year in the hope of preparing for a Under-23 World Championships medal-winning performance during his last two years in the category. Summerhill won a silver medal as a junior at the cyclo-cross worlds in 2007 but has endured a steep learning curve since riding as an U23.

  "Now that I'm in the older half of the age group hopefully it will go better for me," said Summerhill. "I feel like I'll be able to keep progressing and moving forward, of course, but the next two years I'm looking forward to growing years, learning years and hopefully pay off years.

  "You know honestly, I've put so much pressure on myself ever since I got a medal at worlds as a junior that it's always to try and go back and do it again, but if that's not attainable then at least getting some good results, good press for the team," said Summerhill.

  "Just get some really good notoriety for myself is what I really want to do. If I can make it look like it was worthwhile to those that helped me out on my other venture then I think that will be just as useful as a lot of European results."

  Summerhill spent the road season with Garmin's Under-23 squad and will again ride under the team's colours during the ‘cross season. This continuity is something Summerhill finds comfort in.

  "I'm definitely looking forward to it, I'm really excited that I'll be riding with Garmin, it means I get to keep it really local as far as help goes," he said. "I can go to the same people for tickets and flight plans and all that, as opposed to changing hands half way through the year."

  Summerhill said he's enjoyed a successful season road racing and is eager to start the ‘cross season after finishing the road on a high note. Despite the year-round schedule, Summerhill says the variety offered by his two disciplines helps him stay fresh and prevents him from burning out.

  "I will head over to Europe around Christmas time and most likely stay all the way from Christmas through early February to race worlds and a couple of World Cups, and also some of the big European cup races like the Superprestige," he said excitedly. "I'm definitely looking forward to it, that's for sure."

  While he's still a young rider with much development ahead of him, Summerhill will one day be faced with a choice between road and cross racing as his primary career path. The choice will be made tougher by his success in both disciplines, with the ‘cross worlds medal counterbalanced by road national championships as a novice and a Tour de l'Abitibi team time trial stage win alongside the likes of Taylor Phinney and Benjamin King.

  For the time being, Summerhill is delighted to have the opportunity to race both disciplines and glad that any decision over which path to follow is still some way off. "I get asked that all the time, but it's so hard to say because I enjoy both of them so much I can't really put a finger on which I like more," he said.

  "It totally comes during the season, like halfway through the road season I get anxious to get some snow and some cooler weather going on when I'm just frying my arse off out there. So it's hard to say, I enjoy both of them so much at different times of the year I don't have a set idea of what I really would like to pursue in the future.

  "Most likely it will be road, but I still have such a good time riding cyclo-cross that I don't want to put my finger on either one yet," he added. "Give me some time to fully answer that question, I can tell you what will most likely happen but I can't tell you what I'd rather happen."

• Nys blames fatigue for terrible form

  

  Article published:

  October 9, 2009, 05:42

  By:

  Greg Johnson

  Cyclo-cross master not panicking yet

  Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) has blamed fatigue for his poor showing in the early cyclo-cross races of this season. Just days before the first Gazet van Antwerpen Trophy round, a major money-spinner for European ‘cross riders, Nys says he’s not panicking about his results since the season commenced in mid-September.

  "Everyone wonders what's the matter with me, but I know I certainly do not need to worry,” Nys told HLN.be. “There is certainly no reason to panic. Everything will be okay.”

  Nys finished over two minutes down in 10th place at Steenbergcross, his first race of the season. The poor showing continued at GP Neerpelt Wisseltrofee Eric Vanderaerden where he again lost more than two minutes to eventual winner Niels Albert as he finished in ninth place.

  The Belgian champion’s performance went from bad to worse as the Cyclo-cross World Cup commenced in Treviso, Italy last weekend. Nys started on the front row, but dropped so far down the field he decided to withdraw from the race.

  Cyclo-cross success is something that’s become synonymous with Nys’ name. Last year alone the former world champion won three World Cups, three Superprestige events and two GvA Trophy rounds in addition to his smaller wins.

  Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

• Kabush eyes another Canadian 'cross title

  

  Article published:

  October 9, 2009, 20:34

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  Maple leaf jersey a prime target this weekend

  Pro mountain biker Geoff Kabush (Rocky Mountain-Maxxis) is aiming to win a second consecutive red and white maple leaf jersey at the Canadian National Cyclo-Cross Championships held in Argyll Park in Edmonton, Alberta this weekend. The championship event is held in conjunction with the International Cycling Union (UCI) ranked Jim Horner Grand Prix on Sunday, October 11.

  The jersey is not the only reason Canadians flock to compete in their national championships. They are notorious for getting ahead of the game when it comes to collecting valuable UCI points. Kabush and his fellow country-men are competing for a hefty helping of 120 points awarded to the winners of the elite men's and women's categories.

  "It's important to win Canadian nationals," Kabush said. "One nice thing is that it's so early. I'm hoping I can coast through that with my fitness and still do well."

  Canada is the only country to hold its cyclo-cross championships in early October. The USA hosts its championships in December while the majority of European countries are held in January.

  Last year's championships saw Kabush rocket to the top fifteen in the world based on the points he collected by winning the national championships. Likewise, his female counterpart Wendy Simms (KONA) topped the UCI rankings after her victory. Simms will not be participating in the championships this season.

  "It's a bonus for Canadians because we get that big whack of UCI points and that's important for the 'cross starts to be in the front row," he continued. "I'm psyched, it's so critical with all the points setting to zero to get those early season points, so it's a benefit for us Canadians."

  Kabush is an odds on favorite to win the title. He recently ended a successful mountain bike season with a World Cup win in Bromont, Quebec in August followed by a 5th place in the UCI World Championships held in Canberra, Australia in September. Without rest from a lengthy season on the mountain bike, he lined up to compete in CrossVegas to kick off cyclo-cross season.

  "Gary our mechanic pieced together my bike," said Kabush who squeezed a week-long break following the first US Gran Prix of Cyclo-Cross held at the end of September. "It's tough on the riders and the mechanics. Now I'm back were I started, a little travel weary. I really enjoy ‘cross but it sure would be nice if we had just a week off or something between mountain bike and 'cross."

  Kabush's successful mountain bike finale was a good indication that a strong ‘cross season would follow. However, he decided to limit the amount of travel time by focussing on only the USGP series, Canadian Nationals and the Boulder Cup.

  "Coming off the mountain bike season, it's tempting to try and do more racing but it's just too much," he said. "I picked the USGP series and I think that will be enough racing in the 'cross season. I try to keep 'cross fun. We are doing a full program so I want to try and do well, too. I used to be able to coast the 'cross season, but now there's a lot of riders focussing on it and taking it pretty seriously."

  Limiting travel to and from the East and West coasts, Kabush decided not to compete in the upcoming Toronto International Cyclo-Cross held on October 17th and 18th. "I'd like to support that race but I'd also like to ease into the 'cross season," he said. "Otherwise I'd have to go to Canadian nationals and then back to the East coast again. I want to race ad have fun but I need some time to recharge and be at home."

• US cyclo-cross championships registration opening soon

  

  Article published:

  October 9, 2009, 21:54

  By:

  Cycling News

  Masters registration starts 12:01AM Saturday

  Registration for the USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships begins in just a few hours for Masters racers, at 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Savings Time on Saturday.

  The time of registration will, in part, determine the rider's starting position, although USA Cycling posted new rules to its web site clarifying the procedures for call-ups.

  Masters racers will be lined up first by the defending National Champion followed by the previous year's top eight riders (if still in the same class). A previous champion moving into a new age group will displace the eighth placed rider from the previous year. "If any of the aforementioned riders are not participating, those spots will be filled by order of registration," the rules read.

  "After the first row, start order will be determined by category and time of registration, beginning with all cyclo-cross category 1’s, then 2’s then 3’s, the 4’s. Within each category, placement will be by time of registion."

  A rider's current category will therefore determine starting position, since the procedure states "Riders who upgrade from their time of registration will not be moved."

  Registration for the remaining categories begins at 12:01 EDT Monday. UCI categories (Elite Men, Women, U23 Men and Junior Men 17-18) will be lined up with the defending champion first, the sorted by the UCI points accumulated at the time of the championship race. Riders with no points will be staged by registration time.

  For more information, visit USA Cycling, or to register go to SportsBaseOnline.

• Page considers Citadel one hell of a hill

  

  Article published:

  October 10, 2009, 17:34

  By:

  Brecht Decaluwé

  American enjoys solid finish after jet-setting from US

  After enjoying some good results stateside including two victories, Planet Bike's Jonathan Page flew across the Atlantic on Friday morning towards his house in Oudenaarde, Belgium. The 33 year-old returns to Europe yearly to take on the challenge of riding at a higher level in the heart of cyclo-cross, the Flemish region of Belgium.

  One day after flying in, Page was already racing in Namur for the first big cyclo-cross race in years in Wallonia, the Southern part of Belgium where the first round of the GvA Trophy was held. The race was held up and around the famous citadel that often features as uphill finish in the road races like the GP Wallonie, and hosted the third stage of the Giro d'Italia 2006.

  The inaugural edition of the race has been compared with the Koppenbergcross, which is one of cyclo-cross' most illustrious events.

  The crowds that sidelined the tough course in Namur witnessed another one-man show of the in-form world champion Niels Albert. The young Belgian held off Belgian champion Sven Nys and Czech champion Zdenek Stybar. Nys, Klaas Vantornout, Radomir Simunek and Kevin Pauwels all crashed on the course that left no room for errors.

  Cyclingnews talked with Page after the race to find out how he had survived the battle of the citadel. "That's one hell of a hill," Page said, "but it was good to see a cyclo-cross at a different part of the country. It was a slippery descent but I didn't take too much risk and always managed to stay on the bike."

  The number two of the world championship in 2007 explained that he wasn't hoping to battle for the win in Namur. "We flew in on Friday morning and tonight I was awake at 1AM. My start wasn't too aggressive as it would be a long tough race," Page said.

  Halfway through race the American rode in a group that battled for tenth place and in the end Page finished thirteenth. "At one point I was riding in seventh position but then I dropped back; it felt like I had a governor on," Page said.

  The American now has more then 24 hours to get rid of the jet lag and tackle the faster course in Ruddervoorde, near Bruges in the North-West of Belgium, where the first round of the Superprestige Series is held on Sunday.

• Albert expects Nys to continue improvement

  

  Article published:

  October 11, 2009, 04:18

  By:

  Cycling News

  Second a vast improvement for Nys

  Niels Albert expects rival Sven Nys to challenge him for victories this season, despite cruising to another victory in what has been an already impressive season for the Belgian. Nys demonstrated a vast improvement in form as he claimed second place at yesterday’s GVA Trofee - Cyclocross International de la Ville de Namur, 42 seconds behind Albert.

  “He is much better than he was last week. I am not surprised that Nys was good again today, he is a great athlete,” said Albert. "Sven is a marvelous athlete and he'll make connection pretty soon. I think we'll see an exciting duel during one of the next few weeks.”

  The second place is a vast improvement for Nys, who finished over two minutes down in 10th place at Steenbergcross, his first race of the season. The poor showing continued at GP Neerpelt Wisseltrofee Eric Vanderaerden where he again lost more than two minutes to eventual winner Niels Albert as he finished in ninth place.

  “I’m very happy with my performance and second place,” said Nys. “I’ll just try every week to get a step closer to his level.”

  The Belgian champion’s performance had gone from bad to worse as the Cyclo-cross World Cup commenced in Treviso, Italy. Nys started on the front row, but dropped that far down the field he decided to withdraw from the race.

  Cyclo-cross success is something that’s become synonymous with Nys’ name. Last year alone the former world champion won three World Cups, three Superprestige events and two GvA Trophy rounds in addition to his smaller wins.

  Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed