First Cyclo-cross news & racing round-up, Thursday, October 22, 2009

• Previous Edition
• Next Edition

Date published:

October 22, 2009, 21:00

• Sand pit prohibition forces 'cross promoters to be creative

  

  Article published:

  October 11, 2009, 20:26

  By:

  Brecht Decaluwé

  Organisers struggle to create interest

  Due to a new UCI rule that prohibits the use of artificial sand pits in cyclo-cross races, race organizers have had to come up with creative new ideas to make courses challenging.

  As one of the first races of the season, the organization of the Superprestige Series round in Ruddervoorde, Belgium was confronted with the issue. Usually the race features an L-shaped sand strip that created a spectacle for the fans and a challenge for the riders in this area that lacks natural topographical obstacles.

  Brothers Wim and Geert Pyfferoen, the race organisers, came up with an inland solution to add interest: cobbles.

  When asked how they came up with this solution Geert Pyfferoen couldn't quite recall the circumstances. "Probably after we had a couple of drinks," he joked. "I hope it will bring some spectacle to the race. It is a pity that we had to remove the sand strip."

  Organisers aren't clear on whether existing playground sand pits in races like Eernegem would be allowed. Former world champion Paul Herijgers confirmed there was a problem. "The system isn't waterproof. In some races there is a swing and then sometimes it is allowed," Herijgers said.

  "If a father goes to a race with his kid and he asks the kid where he wants to watch the race - in the meadow or at the sand pit - you're always going to end up at the sand pit because it is spectacular."

  Belgian national coach Rudy De Bie wasn't expecting that the cobbles would cause damage in the race. "They're better laid than those on my driveway," De Bie said. "It's too bad Ruddervoorde wasn't allowed to keep the sand because it was safe and spectacular," he added.

  UCI's Peter Van den Abeele explained why the decision was taken. "This is a interference on demand of the riders. Erwin Vervecken, who represents the riders at the UCI, asked the riders what they thought about it and after debating it we took the decision," Van den Abeele said to Het Laatste Nieuws.

  Vervecken defended the decision. "A sand 'cross is a sand 'cross, and a mud 'cross is a mud 'cross. Maybe in Ruddervoorde the sand pit fits in when it was dry but you've got to draw the line somewhere. The sand became some sort of hype, just like the barriers ten years ago; that can't be the goal of it," Vervecken said.

  Top cyclo-cross riders Niels Albert, Sven Nys and Bart Wellens were suprised by this news. "I wasn't asked about it," Albert said, "so it seems that the opinion of the world champion doesn't matter. There's nothing wrong with the sand pit in Ruddervoorde. Then again, the sand that appeared on the course of the world championships in Hooglede 2007 and also Tabor last year was useless, but that doesn't mean you have to generalize the decision," Albert commented.

  Vervecken admitted he didn't ask the question directly to Albert. "But I know that some sand strips haven't been popular for several years now. Suddenly the opinions are more divided. Maybe we should allow exceptions," Vervecken said, but Van den Abeele didn't like that idea at all.

  "Where do you draw the line? In Ruddervoorde it's OK, but not in Diegem? It's impossible to figure out where it is functional or not. No, it's like that and it stays like that," Van den Abeele said.

  In the end the cobbles in Ruddervoorde weren't decisive at all and surely the organizers will be keen to get the sand pit back in their course.

  "Organizers will always find a solution to create spectacle," Herijgers said. In Loenhout the organizers of the Azencross added what is called a washboard, wich is often seen in motocross, and of course creativity doesn't have any limits. "I wonder how long it will take before we see zones with a real mud bath," Herijgers said, seemingly not even joking.

• Return of the king: Nys back to winning

  

  Article published:

  October 11, 2009, 20:57

  By:

  Brecht Decaluwé

  Reactions from the Superprestige opener in Ruddervoorde

  Sven Nys, a nine-time overall winner of the cyclo-cross Superprestige Series, regained his usual excellent form this weekend with a second place on Saturday in Namur and an impressive win on Sunday in Ruddervoorde.

  After a dismal start to the season, everything finally clicked for the Belgian champion this weekend and not only took home his first  victory, but became the first rider to beat world champion Niels Albert this season.

  "People want to see duels. I'm liking this situation in which I can beat the world champion," Nys said. "Mentally I had the benefit of starting without the idea that I could win.

  "I rode at my own pace, taking my time to move up through the field. After bridging up to Niels I noticed that he didn't have an acceleration left in his legs. I tried at one spot and I saw him struggling with his pedals. I felt that I had more traction and one lap later I attacked again, with success," Nys said.

  No excuses for Albert

  Rival Albert didn't search for excuses and actually seemed happy that he finally got beaten in a race. "I'm happy that I can finally relax a little.

  "People raise their expectations as you continue to win and I'm finding out that they don't like someone who dominates," Albert said.

  "I wasn't planning on attacking early on, but with Sven starting at the back I was trying to profit from that. Maybe I should've waited. If this, if that... Today Sven was better and then I'm the first to admit that. I think he digested yesterday's race better than I did," Albert said.

  Stybar best of the rest, again

  The fight for third in Ruddervoorde was between Zdenek Stybar (Fidea Telenet) and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Projob), who crashed and was replaced by team-mate Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb-Projob) later in the race. The Czech champion profited from a better tyre choice on the final laps.

  On Saturday the Czech also finished third in Namur. "I saw what tyres Sven was riding with and chose to ride on tyres with even more grip as it started to rain," Stybar said.

  "I didn't have time to communicate a similar change to the pit and in the end I couldn't follow him on this technical course," Vanthourenhout said.

  Vanthourenhout didn't start too well, but came back to an unexpected fourth place in the end. "Actually I wasn't planning to start today after yesterday's non-performance. I quickly noticed today was much better. Moving up on this technical course wasn't easy so I had to wait for the second half of the race when riders started to drop back," Vanthourenhout said to Cyclingnews.

  His team-mate Klaas Vantornout rode a good race but just as in Namur on Saturday, a crash cost him third place. "Today I touched a pole with my pedal, making me lose contact with Stybar.

  "Overall I'm content with my weekend as I showed that I'm capable of the podium on two occasions. Too bad I'm missing out on the podium twice though. The difference with Nys and Albert isn't huge but it's just too much to match them nowadays. Details are deciding on who wins the battle for third place," Vantornout said to Cyclingnews.

  Page jet-lagging through the weekend

  American Jonathan Page rode an anonymous race - unsurprisingly after flying in from the US on Friday - and finished eighteenth. "I didn't have a good start and never got into the rhythm on this course that continues to twist and turn," Page said to Cyclingnews.

• Wellens eyes December return to 'cross

  

  Article published:

  October 15, 2009, 16:16

  By:

  Cycling News

  Latest blood test promising for rider suffering from virus

  Cyclo-cross star Bart Wellens was cleared to get back on the bike this week after a blood test showed he was no longer suffering from the Cytomegalovirus which had ruined the start to his season.

  The Belgian said he received the results of a blood test on Wednesday and was allowed to begin riding again, but only for one hour a day. "Not for training! Just to get used to being on the bike again," he said on his web site.

  "After eight days I will have another test, and if that is clear I will go to Spain for a while.

  Wellens said he may be able to return to competition in mid-December, but maintained he has abandoned any goals for the season. "At the moment I could not finish top ten in the newcomers. Therefore I can no longer set any goals for the season."

• Top flight field for Toronto 'cross weekend

  

  Article published:

  October 15, 2009, 21:18

  By:

  Cycling News

  NACT series continues in Canada

  The North American Cyclo-cross Trophy series will have its third weekend of racing at the GNC Toronto International Cyclo-Cross, and organisers have assembled a top-quality field for the event.

  The Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com crew swept last weekend's North American races, with Jeremy Powers taking all three races in Ohio, and Tim Johnson doubling up in Providence. Jamey Driscoll, second in both Rhode Island rounds to his teammate and winner of Cross Vegas, will be a wild-card.

  Last year, Johnson and Powers took turns atop the podium on Saturday and Sunday. Look for a repeat of 2008 as both Powers and Johnson look to move closer to the top spot of the leader's boards with strong performances in Toronto. With current leader Jonathon Page (Planet Bike) and second place Christian Heule racing in Europe, the top two steps are up for grabs.

  Bissell's Andy Jacques-Maynes is a challenger to Cannondale contingent. Jacques-Maynes finished third and fourth in 2008 and is sandwiched between Johnson and Powers in the overall standings.

  In the women's event, Natasha Elliott (Louis Garneau) will enter into the third round of the NACT series in second place, but is heading back north for a home field advantage. Elliott went two for two in Gloucester, and the Louis Garneau racer also took home double wins at Toronto in 2008. Challenging Elliott is Pepper Harlton (Juventus Cycling Club) at her first NACT race of the year.

  There will be plenty to see and do in Toronto this weekend. Urban Male Magazine in conjunction with Cameron's Brewing Company, are hosting a pre-race party at downtown Toronto's iconic Brunswick House at 481 Bloor Street West on Friday, October 16. Registration is open at www.bikereg.com and www.ontariocycling.org.

  For more full standings and information, see http://www.nacyclocross.com and www.torontocyclocross.com. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NACT.

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

• Trebon, Wicks and Frattini to do battle in Granogue, Wissahickon

  

  Article published:

  October 16, 2009, 13:18

  By:

  Cycling News

  Queen weekend for Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-cross series

  The North American UCI cyclo-cross calendar continues this weekend with another double: Toronto, Ontario hosts a two-race weekend while the Mid-Atlantic Cyclo-cross presented by SRAM series heads to Granogue and Wissahickon for its “Queen Weekend”.

  It is the second weekend for the MAC, and series leaders Davide Frattini and Laura Van Gilder will try to extend their respective leads on the tough courses in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Luke Keough leads the U23 standings while sitting fourth overall in the men’s standings.

  Team Kona's US 'cross champion Ryan Trebon and teammate Barry Wicks chose to skip the Toronto races, where the formidable Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld trio Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll will be heavy favourites, and will race in Granogue and Wissahickon instead.

  Racing begins Saturday, October 17 on the private 400 acre Granogue Estate near Wilmington, Delaware that is opened to both racers and spectators for this annual event.

  The following day the racers head 25 miles north to the 33-acre Ludwig's Corner Horse Show and Country Fair Grounds in Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. For more information on the two races, see BikeReg.com

• Page remains atop NACT standings, Johnson closing in

  

  Article published:

  October 21, 2009, 16:15

  By:

  Kirsten Frattini

  Elliott has stranglehold on women's rankings

  Jonathan Page (Planet Bike) continues to lead the North American Cyclo-Cross Trophy series as the season approaches its final stretch of rugged racing. Cyclocrossworld.com's triple-threat teammates Tim Johnson, Jamey Driscoll and Jeremy Powers trail close behind with four races to go until a series winner emerges.

  The NACT host ten rounds that span over five weekends of racing which began with Star Crossed and Rad Racing in Washington, moved to the Grand Prix of Gloucester's double header in Massachusetts followed by the Toronto International Cyclo-Cross two-round weekend.

  Page leads the series with 190 points by virtue of four podium places achieved in the first four rounds, which includes to victories at Rad Racing and the Grand Prix of Gloucester's round one. He has since returned to his home in Belgium where he traditionally focuses on the International Cycling union (UCI) World-Cup and the Superprestige series.

  Page acknowledged that he was pleased to be leading the series however, his main incentive for competing in the USA was to use the races as a pre-European season preparation tool and that he would not be contesting the remaining NACT events.

  Next stop are rounds seven and eight in Colorado with the Blue Sky Velo Cup and Boulder cup on October 31 and November 1. Following Page's 190 points is runner up Tim Johnson with 185 points, Jamey Driscoll with 169 points and Jeremy Powers with 140. The tough-to-beat teammates are expected to shine after recently capturing a sixth consecutive season victory, eleventh in total at the Toronto International Cyclo-Cross races.

  "I was a little worried about being injured and the worst part was having to sit out," said Johnson who worked his way back into the game after a separated his shoulder at Star Crossed last month. "Last year I was trying to go for [the series] but when I crashed in Jersey I had to sit out the last round of the NACT in Southampton. "I lost the lead then and had to watch Ryan [Trebon] ride away with it. He's not contesting it this year, so it's definitely up for us."

  Third placed in the series, Driscoll is having a break-out season with a win at the national marquee event CrossVegas. He went on to a string of four podium places in the NACT series and is gunning for the overall title. "I would definitely like to go after it this year," Driscoll said. "It would be a cool personal goal but, depending on how the racing goes we don't know. Maybe I'll have a bad race next weekend and my teammates will still be up there or something. There are two more weekends left."

  The three teammates had a two to one chance of taking over the leader's jersey in Toronto's second round with both Johnson and Driscoll within reach. In the end it was Powers' who rolled in with the win which meant that the leader's jersey remains with Page until the next round.

  "I don't think the points really mattered today because the series still has four more races," said Powers following his outstanding win in Toronto. "We have so much time to go and I hope it doesn't make a difference today. We are not going to worry about the rankings and we are just going to race our races. It's all good because the harder we go against each other now the better we are later."

  The final rounds nine and ten of the NACT series will take place at the Super Cross, two events held in Southampton, New York on November 21 and 22nd.

  Elliott re-adjusts her goals

  On the women's side, Canadian Natasha Elliott (Garneau Club Chausseurs) moved into the NACT series lead after four consecutive victories at the Grand Prix of Gloucester and the Toronto International Cyclo-Cross. Her commanding 240-point lead in the overall rankings means that she could likely hold onto the leader's jersey until the final round in Southhampton.

  "That $1,500 of overall prize money would be nice and I think the extra prize money would help my training preparations to go down south in January before for going over to Europe," Elliott said. "That is the big thing is to have that extra money and maybe that would further my training this January."

  Elliott is followed at a distance by runner up Sue Butler (Monavie-Cannondale) with 140 points and Helen Wyman (Kona), British National Champion in third place with 85 points. She hopes to follow in the footsteps of the NACT Defending Champion, Georgia Gould (Luna).

  "Yeah, definitely nice to follow in her footsteps," Elliott who remember her breakout season last year. "Last year I went to Southampton and I was leading that race and ended up first on the first day. To be leading those two around on the course was like, wow, I was really getting to where I want to be."

  Elliott is not confirmed to compete in the next round held in Boulder, Colorado. "Maybe if someone fired me an email and took care of everything for me. But, budget-wise, I don't know because it's really expensive. That was my only weekend off that I had planned, too. Maybe I will go and do a couple of more Verge races if I decide to race that weekend."

  Her goals did not include the challenging the NACT series, instead her original program focused on the Verge New England Cyclo-Cross series because it was offered less travel and plenty of racing.

  "My goals are a lot more loose fitting now," Elliott said. "At first I wanted to just do the Verge series, but now maybe I will do a little bit different. I'll go for some more of the NACT races and then go to Europe for two weeks in December. I'd like to win the NACT now."

  Elliott's planned a two-week trip to Europe for the holiday week of racing in December. If selected to the Canadian World Championship team her training may take on an unconventional approach that includes travel to the warmer climates of southern USA. It differs from her World Championship preparations last year where she spent four weeks competing in the final world-cups and living in Belgium as she did the previous year.

  "Last year was colder than normal in Belgium and it was really hard to train. I felt like I lost fitness from the end or December to February. I think there are a couple of local races down south in the USA. It depends on how the two weeks goes when I'm there and I'll decide."

• Albert, Compton lead UCI rankings

  

  Article published:

  October 22, 2009, 15:46

  By:

  Laura Weislo

  Canadian nationals points not included

  American Katie Compton cruised to the top of the UCI rankings with a seven-for-seven winning streak that began at CrossVegas and continued through the Planet Bike races in Wisconsin, a huge win at the Treviso World Cup, and a trio of victories in Ohio. With the win in Italy, Compton became the first American ever to lead the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.

  The win also netted the Planet Bike rider 300 points, and she padded her lead to 420 with the other wins. She leads Dutchwoman Daphny Van Den Brand by 140 points, with France's Christel Ferrier-Bruneau a further 40 points in arrears.

  Compton, will resume her racing after a brief rest at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado with the Blue Sky in Boulder, Colorado at the end of the month before leaving for Europe to resume her World Cup campaign.

  Compton believes she can defend her lead in both the World Cup overall and the UCI overall points lead until the end of the season. "It's a great start to the season and I'm really motivated to win the World Cup overall for my new sponsor, Planet Bike. The fitness is good and the bike is dialed in," said Compton.

  The men's standings are dominated by World Champion Niels Albert, who nearly went undefeated this season until Sven Nys got the better of him at the Superprestige race in Ruddervoorde. Albert holds a commanding lead over Czech Zdenek Stybar after dual World Cup wins in Treviso and Plzen.
  
  Stybar has been on the podium in every race so far this season, and is 135 points behind Albert, with Belgian Klaas Vantornout in third 190 points down on Albert.

  Jonathan Page is the top-ranked American rider after a string of early wins in the US. The Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com trio Jeremy Powers, Jamey Driscoll and Tim Johnson sit at 13th, 16th and 20th, while US champion Ryan Trebon is 23rd overall.

  Vanishing points in Canada

  The UCI's published rankings caused some consternation for new Canadian Champion Geoff Kabush, who noticed that the 100 points he should have been awarded for winning the national championships earlier this month hadn't been added to his total.

  "I noticed on the new UCI rankings the points weren't included and thought the results just hadn't been submitted. Then I checked and the Nationals results were listed on the UCI website," Kabush told Cyclingnews.

  The Canadian Cycling association is awaiting confirmation, he said, but indicated the UCI may be holding the points until January 10, 2010, when the European contries hold their championships.

  Adam Myerson, former member of the International Association of Cyclo-Cross Organizers said that this idea had been discussed previously by the UCI. "That was definitely discussed ... as a future plan, but I wasn't sure if it was being implemented," Myerson said. His four-year term on the panel ended this month.

  "The logic was that while the UCI is happy to allow certain nations permission to have their nationals on different dates, those
  nations shouldn't benefit from the gain in UCI points before countries holding their nationals on the traditional date.

  "If that's being implemented now in Canada's case, then you can be sure it will be implemented for the US as well."

  Kabush was not pleased with the idea. "It is somewhat annoying as the points are very important for start position and [the UCI] seem to be fabricating this rule out of thin air. Nationals, Continental Champs, for cyclo-cross and other disciplines happen at different times and are always credited immediately."

  In Kabush's case, the 120 points awarded for winning a national championship would have put him from 45th overall at 70 points to 20th overall with 190, eight points ahead of American Tim Johnson.

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

  Elite Men World Rankings

  1	Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	760	pts
  2	Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	625
  3	Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	435
  4	Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux	370
  5	Martin Bína (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor	362
  6	Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago	342
  7	Christian Heule (Swi) RendementhypoCycling Team	314
  8	Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	306
  9	Gerben de Knegt (Ned) Rabobank	270
  10	Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team	257
  11	Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike	250
  12	Petr Dlask (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	247
  13	Jeremy Powers (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com-Cannondale	239
  14	Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank	225
  15	Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Liquigas	212
  16	James Driscoll (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com	206
  17	Robert Gavenda (Svk) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	202
  18	Martin Zlámalík (Cze) Prodoli Racing Team	197
  19	Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Exe Jeans	194
  20	Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com	182
  21	Radomír Šimunek Ml (Cze) BKCP - Power Plus	181
  22	Thijs Al (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne	163
  23	Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona Cyclocross Team	155
  24	Jan Verstraeten (Bel) KDL Trans NV	146
  25	Laurent Colombatto (Fra) AC Besançon	143
  26	Steve Chainel (Fra) Bouygues Telecom	135
  27	Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor	121
  28	Christopher Jones (USA)	121
  29	Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	119
  30	Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	116
  31	Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) Van Vliet EBH Elshof	106
  32	Barry Wicks (USA) Kona	105
  33	Lubomír Petruš (Cze) BKCP - Power Plus	103
  34	Eddy van IJzendoorn (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne	103
  35	Zdenek Mlynár (Cze) Max Cursor	99
  36	Dan Timmerman (USA)	97
  37	Mariusz Gil (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie	96
  38	Milan Barenyi (Svk)	96
  39	Davide Frattini (Ita) Colavita-Sutter Home	85
  40	Johannes Sickmüller (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg	84
  41	Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez	82
  42	Tom Meeusen (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	77
  43	Derrick St John (Can) Stevens	75
  44	Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA)	72
  45	Geoff Kabush (Can) Maxxis	70
  46	Lukáš Kloucek (Cze) Sunweb - Projob Cycling Team	66
  47	Joachim Parbo (Den) CCV Cyclo crosss Team	65
  48	Jonathan Lopez (Fra) VC La Pomme Marseille	64
  49	Wilant van Gils (Ned) Pro Cycling Team ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	64
  50	Marco Bianco (Ita) L Arcobaleno Carraro Team	59
  51	Jan Soetens (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team	55
  52	Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) KED Bianchi Berlin	55
  53	Mike Garrigan (Can)	54
  54	Jesse Anthony (USA)	53
  55	Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Het Snelle Wiel	52
  56	Alessandro Gambino (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito	52
  57	Paul Oldham (GBr) Hope Factory Racing	50
  58	Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spa)	49
  59	Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team	49
  60	Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) Team Král	45
  61	Fabio Ursi (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito	44
  62	Adam Myerson (USA)	44
  63	David Derepas (Fra) UVCA Troyes	43
  64	Joshua Dillon (USA)	43
  65	Pawel Szczepaniak (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie	42
  66	Martin Haring (Svk)	41
  67	Marko Lalonde (USA)	41
  68	Cristian Cominelli (Ita) Tx Active Bianchi	40
  69	Rob Peeters (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago	40
  70	Stijn Huys (Bel) Palmans-Cras	40
  71	Micki van Empel (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	39
  72	David Kášek (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor	39
  73	Luke Keough (USA)	39
  74	Robert Glajza (Svk)	37
  75	Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI	36
  76	Sascha Wagner (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg	36
  77	Troy Wells (USA)	36
  78	Roy Van Heeswijk (Ned) Sint Oedenrode	35
  79	Ivar Hartogs (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	35
  80	Tristan Schouten (USA)	35
  81	Isaac Suarez Fernandez (Spa)	35
  82	Jan Van Dael (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	35
  83	Luca Damiani (Ita) Colavita Sutter Home	34
  84	Aaron Schooler (Can) Team H & R Block-Louis Garneau	34
  85	Jerome Townsend (USA)	34
  86	Valentin Scherz (Swi) Pro Cycles-Scott-NewWork	33
  87	Andrew Watson (Can)	32
  88	Tom Van Den Bosch (Bel) Rendement Hypo Cyclingteam VZW	31
  89	Arnaud Grand (Swi) Thömus Racing Team	30
  90	Ryan Knapp (USA)	30
  91	Kevin Cant (Bel) AVB - Cycling Team	30
  92	Jan Denuwelaer (Bel)	29
  93	Vladimír Kyzivát (Cze) Johnson Controls AS MB	28
  94	Justin Spinelli (USA)	28
  95	Arnaud Jouffroy (Fra) Vendée U Pays de la Loire	27
  96	Jirí Polnický (Cze) Empella Czech Team	27
  97	Jim Aernouts (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	27
  98	Brian Matter (USA)	26
  99	Mitchell Huenders (Ned) AA Cycling Team	25
  100	Jérôme Chevallier (Fra) AC Besançon	24
  101	Sven Beelen (Bel) Easypay Cyclocross Team	24
  102	William Dugan (USA)	22
  103	David Seco Amundarain (Spa)	20
  104	Jens Westergren (Swe)	19
  105	Weston Schempf (USA)	19
  106	Stuart Wearmouth (GBr) Picarsso-Pulman RT	18
  107	Tyler Wren (USA)	17
  108	Tijmen Eising (Ned)	16
  109	Todd Wells (USA)	16
  110	Ryan Dewald (USA)	16
  111	David Collins (GBr)	16
  112	Stef Boden (Bel) AA Drink Cycling Team	16
  113	René Lang (Swi) Delta Elite Team/VC Bützberg	15
  114	Craig Richey (Can)	15
  115	Justin Lindine (USA)	15
  116	Jody Crawforth (GBr) Arctic - Premier RT	15
  117	Peter Presslauer (Aut) Team Volksbank	13
  118	Marek Canecky (Svk)	13
  119	Andreas Moser (Swi) Bürgis Cycling Team	13
  120	Ben Berden (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team	13
  121	Tyler Trace (Can)	13
  122	Tim Van Nuffel (Bel) Rendement Hypo Cyclingteam VZW	12
  123	Martin Hunal (Cze) Velosport Valenta Scott Team	12
  123	Kris Lapere (Bel) Mez Team Belgium Snellegem	12
  123	Florian Le Corre (Fra) Super Sport 35	12
  126	Mauro Gonzalez Fontan	12
  127	Zoltan Tisza (Hun)	11
  128	Mathieu Boulo (Fra) AC Lanester	10
  129	Sascha Weber (Ger) FC Rheinland-Pfalz Flonheim	10
  130	Rafael Visinelli (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale	10
  131	Elia Silvestri (Ita) (Ita)	10
  132	Kristof Cop (Bel) AVB - Cycling Team	10
  132	Zach Mc Donald (USA)	10
  134	Nicholas Weighall (USA)	10
  134	Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze)	10
  136	Russell Stevenson (USA)	10
  137	Andrew Wulfkuhle (USA)	10
  138	David Juarez Alday (Spa)	9
  139	Vincent Baestaens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	8
  140	Jared Stafford (Can)	8
  141	Kenneth Van Compernolle (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	8
  142	Nicolas Bazin (Fra) Us Domont Cyclisme	8
  143	Molly Cameron (USA)	8
  144	Mark Thwaites (GBr) Asfra Flanders RT	8
  145	Greg Wittwer (USA)	8
  146	Drew Mckenzie (Can)	6
  147	Jake Wells (USA)	6
  148	Adam Mcgrath (USA)	6
  149	Kevin Noiles (Can)	6
  149	Guillaume Perrot (Fra) EC Saint-Etienne-Loire	6
  149	Tom Last (GBr)	6
  149	Bretislav Rohel (Cze)	6
  153	Jan Nesvadba (Cze)	6
  154	Stuart Bowers (GBr)	6
  155	Derik Zampedri (Ita)	5
  156	Yves Corminboeuf (Swi) Scott SRAM Le Marechal	5
  157	Alessandro Calderan (Ita)	4
  158	James Lalonde (USA)	4
  159	Stanislav Bambula (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor	4
  160	Jan Škarnitzl (Cze) Dimp - Giant Team	4
  161	Jonathan Sundt (USA)	4
  162	Chris Sheppard (Can)	4
  162	Jamie Newall (GBr)	4
  164	Bart Wellens (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	4
  164	David Menger (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor	4
  166	Marcel Meisen (Ger) Team Kuota - Indeland	4
  167	Luca Braidot (Ita)	2
  168	Cameron Jette (Can)	2
  169	Carl Decker (USA)	2
  170	Nico Brüngger (Swi)	2
  170	Santiago Armero Sanchez (Spa)	2
  172	Bart Verschueren (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team	2
  173	Justin Robinson (USA)	2
  173	Rob Jebb (GBr) Wheelbase/Gore Bike Wear	2
  173	Evan Guthrie (Can)	2
  173	Karel Nepraš (Cze) ACK Stará Ves N Ondrejnicí	2
  177	Mitchell Kersting (USA)	2
  178	Jacobe Keough (USA)	2
  179	Dylan Mcnicholas (USA)	2
  179	Wim Leemans (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	2
  181	Ryan Iddings (USA)	2
  182	Travis Livermon (USA)	2
  183	Kyle Douglas (Can)	1
  184	Joseph Thompson (USA)	1
  185	Mark Batty (Can)	1
  186	Shawn Bunnin (Can)	1
  186	Daniel Booth (GBr)	1
  186	Tom Burke (USA)	1
  189	Rickey Visinski (USA)	1
  190	Ben Eedy (GBr)	1
  191	Twan van den Brand (Ned) Sunweb Projob Cycling Team	1
  192	Wietse Bosmans (Bel)	1

  Elite Men World Cup rankings

  1	Niels Albert (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	160	pts
  2	Zdenek Štybar (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	135
  3	Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	115
  4	Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux	110
  5	Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	96
  6	Gerben de Knegt (Ned) Rabobank (Ned)	90
  7	Christian Heule (Swi) RendementhypoCycling Team (Swi)	88
  8	Martin Bína (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor (Cze)	87
  9	Petr Dlask (Cze) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	83
  10	Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Liquigas	82
  11	Bart Aernouts (Bel) Rabobank	73
  12	Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team (Bel)	73
  13	Kamil Ausbuher (Cze) Exe Jeans (Cze)	72
  14	Martin Zlámalík (Cze) Prodoli Racing Team (Cze)	72
  15	Thijs Al (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne (Ned)	71
  16	Sven Nys (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago	70
  17	Laurent Colombatto (Fra) AC Besançon (Fra)	67
  18	Jan Verstraeten (Bel) KDL Trans NV (Bel)	67
  19	Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) Van Vliet EBH Elshof	61
  20	Mariusz Gil (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie (Pol)	56
  21	Ondrej Bambula (Cze) Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor (Cze)	54
  22	Eddy van IJzendoorn (Ned) AA Drink - BeOne (Ned)	53
  23	Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) BKCP - Powerplus	50
  24	Radomír Šimunek Ml (Cze) BKCP - Power Plus	48
  25	Steve Chainel (Fra) Bouygues Telecom	44
  26	Wilant van Gils (Ned) Pro Cycling Team ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida (Ned)	44
  27	Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike (USA)	38
  28	Milan Barenyi (Svk)	36
  29	Robert Gavenda (Svk) Telenet Fidea Cycling Team	35
  30	Sven Vanthourenhout (Bel) Sunweb-Projob	35
  31	Patrick Van Leeuwen (Ned) Het Snelle Wiel (Ned)	34
  32	Alessandro Gambino (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito (Ita)	34
  33	Christoph Pfingsten (Ger) KED Bianchi Berlin (Ger)	33
  34	Marco Bianco (Ita) L Arcobaleno Carraro Team (Ita)	32
  35	Jonathan Lopez (Fra) VC La Pomme Marseille (Fra)	32
  36	Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) Scott-Swisspower Mountainbike-Team (Swi)	31
  37	Johannes Sickmüller (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg (Ger)	30
  38	Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spa)	28
  39	Fabio Ursi (Ita) Centro Sportivo Esercito	26
  40	Vaclav Metlicka (Svk) Team Král	25
  41	Rob Peeters (Bel) Landbouwkrediet-Colnago	24
  42	Ian Field (GBr) Hargroves Cycles/Trant/Next/GSI	23
  43	Javier Ruiz De Larrinaga Ibanez	22
  44	David Derepas (Fra) UVCA Troyes	21
  45	Jan Soetens (Bel) Revor-Jartazi Continental Team	20
  46	Sascha Wagner (Ger) Stevens Cyclocross Team Hamburg	18
  47	Pawel Szczepaniak (Pol) LKS Pom Strzelce Krajenskie	17
  48	Lukáš Kloucek (Cze) Sunweb - Projob Cycling Team	17
  49	Roy Van Heeswijk (Ned) Sint Oedenrode	17
  50	Ivar Hartogs (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	17
  51	Jérôme Chevallier (Fra) AC Besançon	14
  52	Zdenek Mlynár (Cze) Max Cursor	13
  53	Luca Damiani (Ita) Colavita Sutter Home	13
  54	Martin Haring (Svk)	13
  55	Robert Glajza (Svk)	11
  56	Jens Westergren (Swe)	10
  57	René Lang (Swi) Delta Elite Team/VC Bützberg	6
  58	Peter Presslauer (Aut) Team Volksbank	4
  59	Marek Canecky (Svk)	3
  60	Andreas Moser (Swi) Bürgis Cycling Team	3
  61	Zoltan Tisza (Hun)	2
  62	Rafael Visinelli (Ita) Gruppo Sportivo Forestale	1

  Elite Women World Rankings

  1	Katherine Compton (USA) Planet Bike	420	pts
  2	Daphny van den Brand (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	280
  3	Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra)	240
  4	Sanne van Paassen (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	193
  5	Pavla Havlikova (Cze) KC Kooperativa SG Jablonec	185
  6	Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona	176
  7	Caroline Mani (Fra) Vienne Futuroscope	162
  8	Katrin Leumann (Swi) goldwurst-power Sputnik	140
  9	Natasha Elliott (Can) EMD Serono-Stevens	130
  10	Elisabeth Brandau (Ger)	120
  11	Sanne Cant (Bel) A.D.S. Selle Italia Guerciotti	120
  12	Maureen Bruno Roy (USA)	120
  13	Laura Van Gilder (USA)	118
  14	Susan Butler (USA) MonaVieCannondale.com	115
  15	Eva Lechner (Ita) C.S. Esercito - Colnago Cap	100
  16	Nadia Triquet-Claude (Fra)	100
  17	Jana Kyptova (Cze) Johnson Controls AS MB	95
  18	Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) J&G Cycling Team	89
  19	Katerina Nash (Cze)	85
  20	Georgia Gould (USA)	76
  21	Deidre Winfield (USA)	75
  22	Rosa Maria Bravo Soba (Spa)	70
  23	Veronica Alessio (Ita) Team Colnago Arreghini	65
  24	Rebecca Wellons (USA)	65
  25	Saskia Elemans (Ned) Team Flexpoint	64
  26	Lucie Lefevre (Fra) CC Etupes le Doubs pays de Montbéliard	59
  27	Gabriella Day (GBr) Vision	57
  28	Linda Van Rijen (Ned)	56
  29	Stefania Vecchio (Ita) G.S.Cicli Fiorin Despar	51
  30	Amanda Carey (USA)	50
  31	Francesca Cucciniello (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti A.S.D.	48
  32	Camille Darcel (Fra) VC Dinannais	47
  33	Amy Dombroski (USA)	47
  34	Alison Sydor (Can)	46
  35	Evelyn Staffler (Ita)	44
  36	Vicki Thomas (Can) Ottawa Cross	44
  37	Suzie Godart (Lux) CCI Differdange	42
  38	Linda Sone (USA)	42
  39	Andrea Smith (USA)	41
  40	Elke Riedl (Aut) Team Vorarlberg Corratec	40
  41	Barbara Howe (USA)	40
  42	Zuzana Vojtasova (Svk)	39
  43	Nancy Bober (Bel) Casa Verde Race Factory	38
  44	Mary Mcconneloug (USA)	38
  45	Alison Dunlap (USA)	35
  46	Kaitlin Antonneau (USA)	34
  47	Christine Vardaros (USA) (USA)	32
  48	Pepper Harlton (Can)	32
  49	Lise Müller (Swi) BMC-Seppey-Teker-Hottinger	31
  50	Nicolle De Bie-Leyten (Bel) AVB - Cycling Team	30
  51	Nikoline Hansen (Den)	28
  52	Kristin Wentworth (USA)	28
  53	Nikki Thiemann (USA)	28
  54	Elisabetta Borgia (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti A.S.D.	26
  55	Jasmin Achermann (Swi) Fischer-BMC	20
  56	Kari Studley (USA)	20
  57	Meredith Miller (USA)	20
  58	Kristin Gavin (USA)	20
  59	Kelli Emmett (USA)	19
  60	Sarah Stewart (Can)	18
  61	Lyne Bessette (Can)	17
  62	Arley Kemmerer (USA)	16
  63	Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) AC Bazancourt Reims	15
  64	Martina Mikulášková (Cze)	15
  65	Lise-Marie Henzelin (Swi) Campione Celeste	12
  66	Lea Davison (USA)	12
  67	Lucie Novakova (Cze)	12
  68	Gesa Bruchmann (Ger)	12
  69	Marina Giger (Swi)	10
  70	Mical Dyck (Can)	10
  71	Crystal Anthony (USA)	9
  72	Wendy Williams (USA)	9
  73	Alexandra Bähler (Swi) Rennaz Sport	8
  74	Ludivine Henrion (Bel)	8
  75	Michaela Istvanova (Cze)	8
  76	Carolyn Popovic (USA)	8
  77	Kimberly Flynn (USA)	8
  78	Jenni Gaertner (USA)	6
  79	Sara Bresnick (USA)	6
  80	Emily Van Meter (USA)	6
  81	Agnes Naumann (Ger)	5
  82	Jean Ann Mckirdy (Can)	5
  83	Linnea Koons (USA)	5
  84	Marlène Morel Petitgirard (Fra) Vélo Club Ornans	4
  85	Anna Barensfeld (USA)	4
  86	Desiree Ehrler (Swi)	3
  87	Sally Annis (USA)	3
  88	Stéphanie Vaxillaire - Denuit (Fra)	3
  88	Bridget Linder (Can)	3
  90	Elizabeth Frye (USA)	3
  91	Katrina Baumsteiger (USA)	3
  92	Alison Powers (USA)	3
  93	Alice Pennington (USA)	3
  94	Joele Guynup (USA)	3
  95	Nicole Borem (USA)	3
  96	Devon Haskell (USA)	3
  97	Erica Yozell Miller (USA)	2
  97	Céline Kluska (Fra)	2
  99	Loni Klettl (Can)	2
  99	Maureen Guichardot (Fra)	2
  101	Sophie De Boer (Ned)	2
  102	Rhonda Mazza (USA)	2
  103	Caeli Barron (Can)	1
  103	Ashley James (USA)	1
  105	Annajean Dallaire (USA)	1
  106	Cris Rothfuss (USA)	1
  107	Emma Bast (USA)	1
  108	Patricia Buerkle (USA)	1
  109	Kristi Berg (USA)	1
  109	Kacey Mandefield (USA)	1

  Elite Women World Cup rankings

  1	Katherine Compton (USA) Spike	60	pts
  2	Daphny van den Brand (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	50
  3	Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra)	45
  4	Sanne van Paassen (Ned) ZZPR.nl-Destil-Merida	40
  5	Pavla Havlikova (Cze) KC Kooperativa SG Jablonec	35
  6	Caroline Mani (Fra) Vienne Futuroscope	30
  7	Katrin Leumann (Swi) goldwurst-power Sputnik	28
  8	Helen Wyman (GBr) Kona	26
  9	Elisabeth Brandau (Ger)	24
  10	Sanne Cant (Bel) A.D.S. Selle Italia Guerciotti	22
  11	Eva Lechner (Ita) C.S. Esercito - Colnago Cap	20
  12	Nadia Triquet-Claude (Fra)	19
  13	Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) J&G Cycling Team	18
  14	Jana Kyptova (Cze) Johnson Controls AS MB	17
  15	Rosa Maria Bravo Soba (Spa)	16
  16	Veronica Alessio (Ita) Team Colnago Arreghini	15
  17	Saskia Elemans (Ned) Team Flexpoint	14
  18	Gabriella Day (GBr)	13
  19	Lucie Lefevre (Fra) CC Etupes le Doubs pays de Montbéliard	12
  20	Linda Van Rijen (Ned)	11
  21	Francesca Cucciniello (Ita) Selle Italia Guerciotti A.S.D.	10
  22	Camille Darcel (Fra) VC Dinannais	9
  23	Evelyn Staffler (Ita)	8
  24	Suzie Godart (Lux) CCI Differdange	7
  25	Elke Riedl (Aut) Team Vorarlberg Corratec	6
  26	Nancy Bober (Bel) Casa Verde Race Factory	5
  27	Stefania Vecchio (Ita) G.S.Cicli Fiorin Despar	4
  28	Vicki Thomas (Can) Ottawa Cross	3
  29	Christine Vardaros (USA)	2
  30	Nicolle De Bie-Leyten (Bel) AVB - Cycling Team	1

• Southern California hosts Spooky 'Cross

  

  Article published:

  October 22, 2009, 16:24

  By:

  Cycling News

  Costume contest combined with cyclo-cross for Halloween fun

  Music, Halloween madness, costumes and beer will be the call as the Southern California Prestige Series of Cyclocross presented by Shimano brings the Spooky Cross Night Race, hosted by Rock N Road Cyclery on Saturday, October 24th in Irvine, CA.

  The Halloween-themed festivities begin with Juniors and Youth cyclo-cross racing at 2:30pm.  At 3:15pm, the kids will get the chance to show off their costumes with the Clif Kids Costume Race. The schedule continues with Prestige Series racing culminating with live music by the Rims and more, food and beer and elite cyclo-cross racing at dusk and into the night.

  Jack-O-Lantern Carving entries will become the pumpkin barriers and will put racers to the test on the Spooky Costume Race course – which begins with a celebration lap for everyone to show off their Halloween garb. Team Duke hosts the Spooky Costume Relay Race – 2 or 4 person teams to benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Prizes awarded to top men, women, co-ed and best costume podium.

  The Halloween themed course is a mix of pavement and dirt and grass, approximately 3.5km in length. Races are timed circuits on the course based on category. The elite categories will race at dusk and night. Look for challengers for Elite Men’s Series Leader Brent Prenzlow (Celo Pacific) from the Gritters brothers – Brandon and Kyle of Rock N Road. MTB Champions Brian Lopes and Sid Taberlay are schedule to be in the line-up as well.

  Pre-registration: www.Sportsbaseonline.com. Online registration closes Thursday, October 21st at 9:00PM (Pacific). Race Day registration is available opens at 1:00pm and closes 20 minutes prior to each race category start. Demo rental bikes are available for new riders to ‘cross. A beginner’s CX clinic will take place at 1:30pm.

  For mapping: 8800 Irvine Center Drive – Irvine, CA
  More info: www.SoCalCross.org