Kona Team Video
August 11, 2012 in CX, cyclocross, DH, Downhill, Enduro, Kona, Mountain Biking, Pro Riders, teams, Video
by Kona Bikes
The Kona Team – dusting the global cycling stage with rocket awesome since 1988.
You are browsing the archive for cyclocross.
by BikingDirty
Schurter celebrates birthday with world cup victory
May 15, 2012 in Bikingdirty, Cross Country, cyclocross, Europe, Men, Mountain Biking, Scott-swisspower, teams, UCI World Cup, XC
What a sweet way to celebrate his 26th birthday! Nino takes his second world cup win of the season over his big rival Jaroslav Kulhavy and Burry Stander. The leading trio stayed together all the way till 2 minutes before the finish line. At the end it was Nino winning by 6 seconds over the Spezialized riders. Florian Vogel showed his ambitions for the Olympic selection of the Swiss team by finishing in 8th.
The sport arena of Nove Mesto (Czech republik) was packed and boiling. Mountain Bike racing has not seen such a tight and exciting race for quite some time. In the beginning of the race Nino droped his chain. Only with a big effort he made it back to the lead group that also contained Marco Aurelio Fontana (Canondale) and Ralph Näf (Merida). The last two laps it was cut down to a trio. Stander-Kulhavy against Schurter. It was for the bigger part Nino who set the pace high. ” I still had an open bill from last years world championship in my home country where Jaroslav won. Before the race I tought it would be awesome to win on his home soil as a pay back. I feel in great condition, so this was my target. It was a very tough fight- eye to eye. Especially Burry was strong too. It’s great all came together perfectly on my birthday!”
For Florian Vogel it was the second last selection race for Olympics. He confirmed with a good 8th place he is in good shape. Tough, with Ralph Näf in 5th and Fabian Gyger in 7th he had two Swiss country men in front of him who also want to race in London. Sauser in 11th was also not too far behind. The coming up La Bresse world cup will show who will be joining Nino at Olympics.
Florian
Julien Absalon did not finish due to a stomach bug. This leaves Nino with a 190 point lead over Burry Stander in the overall ranking.
Marcel Wildhaber stepped with a 4th place on the podium at the Eliminator world cup. Our cyclo cross specialist more and more becomes an Eliminator contender. In the XC race he came in 54th- taking his first world cup points of this season. He had to start in 124th position and worked his way trough the field.
Marcel
With Dominic Zumstein in 5th and Andri Frischknecht in 7th, the juniors had a stady race, but not quite repeated their strong races from the past weeks. They aim to be on the podium again next Sunday.
Dominic
Andri
by David Hunt
Action-packed Sea Otter Classic edit
May 3, 2012 in 4X, All Mountain, Biking Park, Biking Resort, Chain Reaction Cycles, cyclocross, DH, dirt jump, Downhill, dual slalom, Gravity, Video
Chain Reaction Cycles, co-sponsor of this year’s Sea Otter Classic, were out in force at this year’s event; meeting thousands of our North American customers – old and new – and displaying many bikes and components from our Nukeproof collection.
We captured all the action from the event including a bunny hop contest, the Camp of Champions air bag, Speed and Style, dual slalom and downhill races plus an interview with Frank Yohannon, President and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic.
by Rubber Duck
Chain Reaction Cycles announce support of Action Cancer
April 11, 2012 in 4X, All Mountain, Asia, Australia, Biking Park, Biking Resort, Bikingdirty, Blog, BMX, Britian, BritishCycling, Canada, Carbon Fibre, Charity, Cross Country, Cube, CX, cyclocross, DH, dirt jump, Downhill, dual slalom, Endura, Enduro, Europe, Evoc, Five Ten, Four cross, Fox, France, freeride, General, Giant, Gravity, GT Bicycles, Head Cam, Health, Health and Fitness, IDMS, Ireland, Junior, Kona, Manufacturers, Media, Men, Mountain Biking, News, North America, Nukeproof, photography, Portugal, Press Release, Pro Riders, Race, Race meetings, Russia, Santa Cruz, Saracen, Scotland, Shimano, Skills, Solid M9, Spain, Specialized, Sram, Story, teams, Trek, Troy Lee Designs, UCI World Cup, UK, Uncategorized, women, world, XC, XCE, Yeti
Chain Reaction Cycles have announced Action Cancer as their Northern Ireland charity partner for the next three years. The company has agreed to sponsor the charity’s male health campaign, Action Man, and the partnership aims to encourage men to ‘Get a Grip’ and take their health seriously.
Malachy Nixon, health promotion officer with the charity said: “Research shows that men can ignore health symptoms for up to two years, yet men have a higher risk of cancer than women, so this partnership will raise awareness of male specific cancers such as prostate and testicular cancer. Early detection can save lives and we would urge men with a health symptom to see their GP at an early stage.”
As Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity, Action Cancer provides MOT health checks to examine important indicators of health such as BMI, cholesterol levels, lung capacity and skin analysis. These comprehensive checks enable men to engage with a health professional and provide a snapshot of their current health, enabling them to think about any changes they may wish to make to their lifestyle. Currently, up to 50% of men accessing the MOT health checks through the charity are advised to see their GP for further follow up.
Damien Duggan, Marketing Manager at CRC said: “We are looking forward to working with Action Cancer through the Action Man campaign – promoting the campaign messages to our customer base and the wider Northern Ireland public, and raising vital funds for the charity.”
In the first year, £20,000 will be raised through a variety of activities including an adventure event, company fundraising and corporate donations. CRC’s flagship Boucher Road store is kick-starting the fundraising with a static in-store cycle during 13 and 14 April.
by Rubber Duck
ReTREAD – The Official Trailer
February 28, 2012 in 4X, Africa, All Mountain, Asia, Australia, Biking Park, Biking Resort, Bikingdirty, BMX, Britian, BritishCycling, Canada, Cross Country, CX, cyclocross, DH, dirt jump, Downhill, dual slalom, Endura, Enduro, Europe, Four cross, General, Gravity, Head Cam, Junior, Manufacturers, Men, movie trailer, Pro Riders, Race, Race meetings, Skills, South America, teams, Tools, Trail Building, Trails, Training, Video, women, world, XC, XCE
by Rubber Duck
Bakels open kampioenschap 2012
January 18, 2012 in Cross Country, CX, cyclocross, General, Manufacturers, teams, Video, world
by Rubber Duck
Irish Cyclocross Championships 2012
January 10, 2012 in Cross Country, CX, cyclocross, General, Ireland, Manufacturers, Men, Race meetings, teams, Video, women, world
by Rubber Duck
Result in the Irish Cyclocross League.
January 10, 2012 in CX, cyclocross, Ireland, Men, Race meetings, teams, Uncategorized, women
| 1 | Robin | Seymour |
| 2 | Roger | Aiken |
| 3 | Matthew | Adair |
| 4 | Evan | Ryan |
| 5 | Anthony | Doyle |
| 6 | Daragh | Mortimer |
| 7 | Stuart | Galloway |
| 8 | Ciaran | Bucke |
| 9 | Robert | Scanlon |
| 10 | Niall | O’ Hara |
| 11 | Gerard | Wolfs |
| 12 | Timothy | O’Regan |
| 13 | Sean | Downey |
| 14 | Jason | Henry |
| 15 | Sean | O’ Tuathail |
| 16 | Colm | Ahern |
| 17 | Mark | McGauley |
| 18 | Gareth | Gormley |
| 19 | Drew | McKinley |
| 20 | Keith | Meghan |
| 21 | David | O’Neil |
| 22 | John | McCarthy |
| 23 | Murt | Rice |
| 24 | Brian | McCarthy |
| 25 | John | Dempsey |
| 26 | Michael | Cowan |
| 27 | Don | Travers |
| 28 | Gary | Sheils |
| 29 | Damien | Duggan |
| 30 | Paul | Norton |
| 31 | Luke | Manning |
| 32 | Redmond | O Toole |
| 33 | Graham | Hand |
| 34 | Peter | Doyle |
| Kenny | Buckley |
|
by Rubber Duck
2012 – New to biking what to buy ? Part 2 – BMX and Cyclocross
January 9, 2012 in Blog, BMX, CX, cyclocross, General, Health, Men, News, women
If 2012 is your year to try something new or your looking for a way to get exercise while having fun a bike is the answer. Lets face it people run in the parks etc. and claim to like it I am sure they do like the feeling of benefit it is to their health and more power to them but fully enjoy it id have to say NO.
The feeling of riding a bike, Any Bike is so much different wind rushing past to face when you go down a hill hard hitting that gear at the exact moment its needed, just magical. Couple that with getting out for you exercise what’s not to like. More and more people are getting out on bikes be it on the Road, in the park, up in the Mountain, on then Bmx track, or just plain going nuts for muck with Cyclocross there are lots of options to suit everyone’s taste. Great thing is you are never to old and if you think you are get on a bike you will feel like a child again. I watched fully grown men in recent weeks rushing out and buying Bmx bikes when a new track opened in Ratoath (Myself and Ciaran here at BikingDirty.Com included)
For 2012 just do it, Go for it, dont think just buy a bike.
Where to start ,
BMX
Bmx is exploding in Ireland at present with no less that 3 new tracks opened in the month of December and more to come by the looks of things. Bmx is of course an Olympic sport and is massive across the globe.The UK just splashed out a whooping £24m in Manchester to build a training academy. With the world Champions being held in Birmingham this year and the Olympics in London it a massive year for the UK in Bmx. It looks like “YEAH I can do that” try a lap around the track it will knock the wind out of you first time out. Racing Bmx bikes can range from £300 – to the thousands for carbon fibre with all the trimmings. Look at the fine tuned athletes Bmx has produced Mark Cavendish for a start, check the list of pro riders who started out in Bmx it a long list of pro riders across the board. Saying its a young person thing is in fact wrong you would be so surprised how many middle aged men and women ripping up tracks across the world. If you fancy it you can take a trip down your local track and see what’s its all about they wont ask you to race, unless you want to but for value for money and exercise its a good time for the peddling. Gear needed well a bike is a start, Helmut is an absolute mush have,body amour is optional, race suit if you plan to but also good overalls for riding the track, Race gloves. This will get you going at a approx starting from scratch cost of £400.00 + membership at your local club its a good way start off the new year. Always check to see if a cheap second had is going cheap from someone who does it saves a package.
Cyclocross or CX
Cyclo-Cross is an autumn and winter sport. It started out as a way for road riders to keep fit in the winter “off season”, but over time ‘cross has developed into a sport in its own right. The races have a relaxed atmosphere and it is one of the easiest ways to get into bike racing.Races are held on short, grassy courses, generally in public parks or on school playing fields. The races are mass start (you all start together), multi lap events with Youth races lasting between 10 and 30 minutes.
The race courses are usually easier than a mountain bike course but, given the time of the year, there is a fair amount of mud involved so you may need to run while pushing or carrying your bike up steep, slippery hills or through extra muddy areas!
So, to sum it up, you are basically racing as fast as you can for about 20 minutes on a short course which you will go round loads of times. You will get wet, you will get muddy and you will be tired when you finish. BUT, you will have a fantastic time and will want to come back for more!
There are proper cyclo cross bikes but you can take part in a ‘cross race on any mountain bike, you may just need to remove the bar ends. Bar end PLUGS must be in place as always!
A ‘cross bike looks like a road bike with drop handlebars and skinny tyres. But the skinny tyres are knobbly to give better grip for riding off road and the brakes are like a mountain bikes so they work better in the mud. Once you have done a few races and have become hooked, you can then start looking at getting a specific ‘cross bike. An added advantage of a ‘cross bike is that you can stick a set of skinny, slick tyres on and you have a perfectly good road bike which can then be used in the summer months.
Price for stratch approx – £500.00 to get you started then as you improve you can upgrade. Helmut is any form of cycling in a must, Termo Lycra to keep you warm and looking the part and Gloves, You can go buy from the shops if there’s a good deal to be had value for money wise, but for your first bike I would try to get a decent second hand because it will get trashed.
Part 3- 2012 Buyers Guide – Mountain Bikes
by Rubber Duck
Jaroslav Kulhavy at the Fidea Cyclocross Classics
January 8, 2012 in CX, cyclocross, DH, Europe, General, Manufacturers, Men, Mountain Biking, Specialized, teams, Video
Mountainbike World Champion Jaroslav Kulhavy at cyclocross race Fidea Classics in Leuven, Belgium – 30.12.2011
by Rubber Duck
London Bike Show.
January 7, 2012 in 4X, All Mountain, BMX, Britian, Cross Country, CX, cyclocross, DH, dirt jump, Downhill, Enduro, Four cross, freeride, General, Manufacturers, Media, Men, Mountain Biking, News, Review, teams, UK, women, world, XC
Rubber Duck will brave the tube once more and go to London to explore the London Bike show being held at the Excel London docklands. I will do my best to pick the best new products and bikes and report back. Can’t say I am looking forward to the tube in the mornings but sure am about the bike show there are may different products that are hot of the line I want to lay my eyes on and my hands all over. Will have to leave the credit card at home because I am a salesman dream.
The London Bike Show is one of the largest and most exciting cycling events within the UK. Whether you’re looking to buy your first bike, treat yourself to some new gear or want to check out the latest bike designs, The London Bike Show has it all.
The London Bike Show runs alongside The Outdoors Show, The Active Travel Show and the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show, and with your ticket being valid for entry to all four shows, it’s a fantastic, affordable day out for the whole family.
by Rubber Duck
Women of Cyclocross
January 6, 2012 in CX, cyclocross, General, Interview, Manufacturers, News, North America, teams, Video, women
Cyclocross racers Meredith Miller, Nicole Duke and Kaitie Antonneau give their personal perspectives of what it takes to be among the best and what compels them to excel in the sport we love.
Women of Cyclocross from Zipp Speed Weaponry on Vimeo.
by Rubber Duck
Seymour sets sights on 18th cyclocross title but is wary of Aiken challenge
January 6, 2012 in cyclocross, Europe, General, Ireland, Men, News, Race meetings, teams, world
Story by – 
SHANE STOKES – The Irish Times
CYCLING: DEFENDING CHAMPION Robin Seymour and Ulster cyclocross league victor Roger Aiken look set for a ferocious two-up tussle for the Irish cyclocross championship title in St Anne’s Park in Raheny tomorrow, with the duo having shown a higher standard than their competitors this season.
Seymour, now 40 years of age, is vying for what would be a staggering 18th national title in the event.
Aiken has won twice, taking the gold medal in early 2005 and 2008, and has shown fine form in recent months. He won two races in the Supercross League and dominated the Ulster series, taking victory in each of the six rounds.
Seymour accepts that the battle could be very tight. “I don’t know how it will go for me, it is very hard to say. I hope to be in the mix anyway,” he told The Irish Times yesterday. “Myself and Roger have been battling it out this season. I won the second round of the Supercross League in Swords but felt terrible in the race. Roger punctured . . . I don’t think I would have beaten him otherwise.
“I had a good day in Corcaigh Park after that, but crashed. He didn’t turn up in St Anne’s for round four, so I didn’t have a chance to see how we would have compared there.”
The national championship circuit is very similar to the course used in St Anne’s in November.
“It’s going to be 95 per cent the same,” said course designer Greg May yesterday. “We will just change one or two of the corners. It is such a good course for the spectators that we didn’t want to really modify it.”
May said the circuit is very different to that used when the nationals were held there two years ago.
“That was much more a mountainbike course, whereas this one has moved more towards an open-style Euro circuit. The course takes the best bits the roadies can do, then put in some challenges that will suit the mountainbike guys, such as the large drop-off we have.”
Seymour and Aiken will be first and second on the grid, ahead of Evan Ryan and Matt Adair, and so the battle will be on from the drop of the flag.
Connor McConvey, who finished second to Seymour in the Supercross round held in the same venue, is not taking part. He’d be a medal contender but is getting ready for a season with the An Post Grant Thornton Seán Kelly team in Belgium.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday – Irish cyclo-cross championships, St Anne’s Park, Raheny. Racing starts 11.30am, main event at 1pm.
by Rubber Duck
2012 – Buying the bike that suits your needs best. – Part 1
January 5, 2012 in All Mountain, Blog, Cross Country, CX, cyclocross, DH, dirt jump, Downhill, Enduro, Four cross, freeride, General, Mountain Biking, Review, XC, XCE
For those who are about to go out and spend all that hard earned wedge on a blinging bike for yourself . There are just some thoughts and points of what you will need to be thinking about when that smooth sales man lays down his pitch.
If your like me and have and are looking to pick up and new steed for 2012 and are head wreaked about, What type of bike will suit me best ? Manufacturer bike sizes ?, What type of riding will i do ?, your not the only one. Fact is you have to look at what level you are at, If you intend to Race its a totally different matter than if you are a social rider who loves to get out and explore the trails with your mates. While the Racer will need that .0001 of a second difference in the gear change a social rider won’t same can be said for the suspension and so on. Why is this important ? I think it is because if you are doing your homework and reading riders reviews on the bikes you are looking to buy it can be a turn off for the social rider and very confusing.
When you read the reviews it very rarely would mention what the riders needs are, so when there is a great bit of value for money to be had for a social rider it can be off putting to see negative reviews form Race riders who in fairness may see the bike being under stocked for their needs. I myself am currently on the look out for a new bike and while I would love to buy the biggest bad ass D/H rig around the simple fact is I don’t race. I love to go out with mates a ride have a laugh and hope for a good day because we all know in MTB there are those days where its all goes wrong. From the bike to the weather its just that simple, but we keep going for all the bad days are washed away with one good one.
For me an entery level or mid range second hand is perfect, does the job you will ask of it, without going to town and spending € 4,000 + on a bike that will be wasted on me, as I really don’t need half the cutting edge race gear on it. Fact is I need a bike that can do the job, That fits me and the riding style suits me most . The decent bikes on the market are all loaded with good enough frames, components and suspension, Easily well enough tested to see me through, what I am about to put the bike through.
However if you are a racer in any form of cycling your headache is even bigger not only do you need to find that special bike you are at one with but then you have to look hard at how the bike is built. A lot racers will just do a custom build hand pick all the bits and pieces, a lot of work but surly worth it for a bike that will be like part of the family to you. A bike like that can be hard to sell as you may feel guilty when it comes time.
Reviews on bike and parts are very helpful in the buying process but if you are unsure due to one or two negative comments look deeper into it. We have also to remember that bikes just like people are all different. What may suit my tastes or needs may not to be yours.
Riding style on the bikes may also not be for you depending on the pressure you put of certain mussel groups due to your own personal style and body movements. Its all important for the purchase and in the long run your enjoyment. There is no point buying a bike because it looks the nuts but doesn’t fell right when you ride it. In fairness most bike shops have good sales people who have a passion for bikes themselves so its not like going to a shady second hand car dealer in Albert square. They will listen and provide you with the best information on what bike may suit your needs the best from suspension, gears, usage ,riding style, and so on.
Part 2 – Will focus on new bikers where to start ? What you need to know on Buying the bike, equipment, clothing, and starting point for a new addiction.
by Rubber Duck
Annie Last signs for new Milka-Brentjens Team
January 3, 2012 in Britian, cyclocross, Europe, General, Manufacturers, Mountain Biking, News, Race meetings, teams, UK, women, world
British Cycling Olympic Academy athlete Annie Last has been signed by Bart Brentjens’ all-new UCI Trade Team for 2012. Mountain biking’s first ever Olympic gold medallist in Atlanta 1996, Brentjens created the Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team around Last who will continue to use Boardman bikes.
Following a breakthrough season in which the under-23 rider won the British cross country championships and scored back-to-back top ten results in the UCI World Cup, Last has marked herself as one of the most exciting prospects in women’s mountain bike racing – and in 2012 Brentjens sees a continuation of that progress.
“Annie is a promising talent, her best result this year in the World Cup was sixth in Nove Mesto, an extraordinary result considering her young age. In 2012 Annie will work toward establishing herself in the UCI World Cup Series and targeting the London 2012 Olympic Games in August; I think she can have a good result there!”
Signing to the Mika-Brentjens MTB Racing Team brings Last alongside team manager, World Champion and World Cup Series winner and was a key factor in Last’s decision to join the team.
“I am really looking forward to working with Bart Brentjens and his team. They have got a huge amount of experience about performing at the highest level in the sport and they have presented me with an exciting opportunity to be part of the Team.”
Throughout the winter and 2012 Annie will continue training as part of British Cycling’s Olympic Academy, guided by Phil Dixon, British Cycling’s Olympic Mountain Bike Coach.
The British Champion’s first bike racing experience at the Notts and Derby Cyclo-Cross League – which was infamously influenced by the reward of a goody bag full of chocolate – will first race in her new colours at the British Cyclo Cross Championships at Ipswich, January 8.
by Rubber Duck
World Cup Cyclocross – Zolder: Elite Women
December 31, 2011 in CX, cyclocross, Manufacturers, News, Race meetings, teams, women, world
World Cup Cyclocross – Zolder: Elite Women
By Bart Hazen.
World Champion Marianne Vos once again showed that she is currently the best cyclocross racer in the World. She powered away in the final lap to win with a 29 seconds lead over Daphny van den Brand. Sanne van Paassen rounded out the podium at 1:11. Sanne Cant, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Hanka Kupfernagel, Lucie Chainel, Nikki Harris, Caroline Mani and Pavla Havlikova completed the top ten. Kaitie Antonneau was the top American at rank 16. Due to her second place Van den Brand retains her lead in the overall world cup standings.
It was a wet, slippery and cold day on the former Formula one track in Zolder. Without last year’s winner Katie Compton it was clear that Marianne Vos was the one to watch for today together with Daphny van den Brand and Sanne van Paassen. British national champion Helen Wyman took the hole shot followed by Sanne Cant, Marianne Vos, Daphny van den Brand and Sanne van Paassen.
In one of the last descents on the lap Vos attacked and was followed by Van den Brand, Wyman and Cant. The others were disrupted in their chase when Sophie de Boer crashed in the descent and took Sabrina Stultiens down as well. In the second lap Wyman lost connection with the leaders and dropped further back when she crashed too in one of the tricky descents. In front Van den Brand and Vos were the strongest and by the end of the lap they had already a big gap on Sanne Cant, Sanne van Paassen and Pauline Ferrand Prevot.
In the third lap Van den Brand slipped on a turn and lost a few seconds on Vos but she caught back onto the World Champion soon. With two laps to go the two Dutch riders had a 42 seconds lead on Van Paassen, Ferrand Prevot and Cant and a bit more on Kupfernagel, Chainel, Harris and Mani. In the remaining two laps both riders in front attacked each other but without any luck until the final half lap of the race.
Vos launched an aggressive attack on one of the climbs leaving Van den Brand behind. Vos immediately took 10-15 seconds and extender her lead to 29 seconds on the line. For Vos it is her second World Cup win of the season. Last week she was the best in Namur. Van Paassen was best of the rest for third.
Result
1 Marianne Vos (Ned) 0:39:45
2 Daphny Van Den Brand (Ned) 0:00:29
3 Sanne Van Paassen (Ned) 0:01:11
4 Sanne Cant (Bel) 0:01:21
5 Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) 0:01:30
6 Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) 0:01:40
7 Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) 0:01:43
8 Nikki Harris (GBr) 0:01:46
9 Caroline Mani (Fra) 0:01:59
10 Pavla Havlikova (Cze) 0:02:06
11 Linda Van Rijen (Ned) 0:02:08
12 Jasmin Achermann (Swi) 0:02:09
13 Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra) 0:02:14
14 Helen Wyman (GBr) 0:02:21
15 Gabriella Day (GBr) 0:02:26
16 Kaitlin Antonneau (USA) 0:02:39
17 Sabrina Schweizer (Ger) 0:02:47
18 Christine Majerus (Lux) 0:03:04
19 Ellen Van Loy (Bel) 0:03:18
20 Julie Krasniak (Fra) 0:03:38
21 Arenda Grimberg (Ned) 0:03:46
22 Nikoline Hansen (Den) 0:03:52
23 Hilde Quintens (Bel) 0:03:55
24 Sabrina Stultiens (Ned) 0:04:01
25 Amy Dombroski (USA) 0:04:38
26 Annefleur Kalvenhaar (Ned) 0:04:52
27 Martina Mikulaskova (Cze)
28 Maureen Bruno Roy (USA) 0:04:59
29 Christine Vardaros (USA) 0:05:16
30 Joyce Vanderbeken (Bel) 0:05:35
31 Nancy Bober (Bel) 0:05:42
32 Kim Van De Steene (Bel) 0:05:59
33 Katrien Thijs (Bel) 0:06:46
34 Tessa Van Nieuwpoort (Ned)
by Rubber Duck
World Cup Cyclocross – Zolder: Elite Men
December 30, 2011 in CX, cyclocross, Manufacturers, Race meetings, teams, world
World Cup Cyclocross – Zolder: Elite Men
By Bart Hazen
Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) has won the World Cup in Zolder after a thrilling finale with Zdenek Stybar and Sven Nys. What should have been a sprint with the three giants ended in a sprint with two after a crash from Nys. Stybar, who attacked a lot in the final lap, started the sprint but was outsprinted by Pauwels with less than a bike length. Sven Nys completed the podium a few seconds behind. Klaas Vantornout, Tom Meeusen, Bart Wellens, Lars Boom, Niels Albert, Steve Chainel and Radomir Simunek completed the podium. Due to the win Pauwels takes over the World Cup lead from Nys. Zdenek Stybar is third.
The race was held on the former Formula One circuit in Zolder in chilu, wet and slippery conditions. As usual it was Klaas Vantornout who took the holeshot followed by Kevin Pauwels, Sven Nys and the others. By the end of the first lap it was Nys leading Pauwels, last years winner Lars Boom and a few other contenders like a.o. Zdenek Stybar Niels Albert, Tom Meeusen and Bart Wellens. World Champion Zdenek Stybar attacked on the second lap but his attack was neutralized after a crash.
Nys then took control of the race, pushing hard and the large leading group was reduced to five riders; Pauwels, Stybar, Nys, Wellens and Boom. After Wellens cracked and Boom made a small mistake the big three were left alone in front. With four laps to go Nys, Stybar and Pauwels already had a big gap on a chasing group with Albert, Boom, Vantornout, Meeusen, Wellens, Chainel and Simunek.In the final three laps the three changed leads, attacked but nobody was able to break clear. In the final lap Stybar was hammering his pedals, seriously hurting his contenders, but Pauwels and Nys didn’t crack. Sven Nys had the best position sitting in third wheel but the “King” of cyclocross slipped away in the final corner and ended up third. Until the final meters it looked like Stybar was going to take his biggest win of the season thus far but Pauwels slid out of his slipstream to snatch the win from the World Champion. Stybar was disappointed as he smacked his handlebars at the line.
Jonathan Page was the best American rider in 25th place almost two minutes down on Pauwels. Tim Johnson was 37th at 3.15. Jeremy Durrin, Ryan Knapp, Mitchell Hoke and Troy Wells were the other Americans in the race.
Result
1 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) 1:03:44
2 Zdenek Stybar (Cze)
3 Sven Nys (Bel) 0:00:20
4 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) 0:00:32
5 Tom Meeusen (Bel) 0:00:35
6 Bart Wellens (Bel) 0:00:38
7 Lars Boom (Ned) 0:00:48
8 Niels Albert (Bel) 0:00:56
9 Steve Chainel (Fra) FDJ 0:00:59
10 Radomir Simunek (Cze) 0:01:00
11 Bart Aernouts (Bel) 0:01:04
12 Marcel Wildhaber (Swi) 0:01:0613 Simon Zahner (Swi) 0:01:08
14 Aurelien Duval (Fra) 0:01:15
15 Thijs Van Amerongen (Ned) 0:01:21
16 Julien Taramarcaz (Swi) 0:01:23
17 Christoph Pfingsten (Ger)
18 Gerben De Knegt (Ned) 0:01:24
19 Mariusz Gil (Pol)
20 Dieter Vanthourenhout (Bel) 0:01:26
21 Thijs Al (Ned)
22 Matthieu Boulo (Fra) 0:01:27
23 Marcel Meisen (Ger) 0:01:28
24 Martin Zlamalik (Cze) 0:01:50
25 Jonathan Page (USA) 0:01:57
26 Twan Van Den Brand (Ned) 0:02:05
27 Philipp Walsleben (Ger) 0:02:06
28 Niels Wubben (Ned) 0:02:23
29 Christian Heule (Swi) 0:02:27
30 Enrico Franzoi (Ita) 0:02:30
31 Marco Bianco (Ita) 0:02:37
32 Tijmen Eising (Ned) 0:02:50
33 Elia Silvestri (Ita) 0:02:52
34 Karel Hnik (Cze) 0:02:54
35 Cristian Cominelli (Ita) 0:02:58
36 Jiri Polnicky (Cze) 0:03:09
37 Timothy Johnson (USA) 0:03:15
38 Vladimir Kyzivat (Cze) 0:03:34
39 Mitchell Huenders (Ned) 0:03:57
40 Ian Field (GBr) 0:04:06
41 Rob Peeters (Bel) 0:04:26
42 Arnaud Grand (Swi) 0:04:30
43 Sascha Weber (Ger) 0:04:49
44 David Kasek (Cze) 0:04:52
45 Mirko Tabacchi (Ita) 0:05:05
46 Yannick Mayer (Ger) 0:05:11
47 Egoitz Murgoitio Rekalde (Spa) 0:05:38
48 Nicolas Bazin (Fra) 93 0:05:44
49 Arnaud Jouffroy (Fra) 0:06:25
by Rubber Duck
Cyclocross Ladies in – 4ème Manche de CDM cyclo-cross
December 24, 2011 in CX, cyclocross, Europe, Race meetings, teams, Video, women
Check out these amazing hardcore Cyclocross ladies the weather conditions alone are mad. Massive respect from them, showing us all what dedication really is !
by dangermouse
Spain Cup Cyclocross – Alcobendas 2011
December 22, 2011 in CX, cyclocross, Europe, Spain, Video
Organized by:
Stecchino & Cap
Location:
Alcobendas (Madrid) Spain
Music:
Cold War Kids – Mine is Yours (Passion Pit Remix)
by dirtyflows.com
by dangermouse
Ulster Cyclocross 2011 Round 4 Moira Demesne
December 19, 2011 in CX, cyclocross, Europe, Race meetings, Video
for any information check out http://www.irishcx.com/