Race Thread

[Armchair Cyclist]

Iserbyt has a deficit that should make for an interesting race.

 

[KZD]

Iserbyt has a deficit that should make for an interesting race.

I kind of disagree. For me Van der Haar should be the strongest in this course.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Iserbyt DNF?

 

[RedheadDane]

Iserbyt DNF?

Yes...

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Suddenly all downhill for Van der Haar

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[KZD]

Great to see 5 different nationalities represented in the top10.

Vanthourenhout is such a great mud rider, today it remind me of the day he beat Van der Poel to second place in the Valkenburg Worlds on similar conditions.

 

[Ricco']

Commentator keeps saying that Pieterse will never get to wear the Euro jersey, but she will still be European Champion, and still be under 23 after the world championships.

Well, technically he was right as there aren't any U23 Women's races where she can use it. Even her's rainbow jersey will probably be worn today and in the National Championships, if there is an U23 race there (I don't believe there is).

 

[jmdirt]

Vantho!

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Well, technically he was right as there aren't any U23 Women's races where she can use it. Even her's rainbow jersey will probably be worn today and in the National Championships, if there is an U23 race there (I don't believe there is).

On the Crosscast Podcast it was mentioned by someone on the UEC and UCI Cross Comission that there may be a European Cup next year which includes U23 Womens and Mens races next year and Elite races being optional.

 

[Ricco']

Great race for the men's elites. Van der Haar started like we were on a repeat of the Koppenberg but the weather got to him. Sweeck should be in a very good form if he is able to finish in the podium in Namur, his best result ever here.

A shame we didn't get to see more from the battle for the lower top-10 places, it appears to have been interesting with lots of places switching during the whole race.

 

[Ricco']

On the Crosscast Podcast it was mentioned by someone on the UEC and UCI Cross Comission that there may be a European Cup next year which includes U23 Womens and Mens races next year and Elite races being optional.

That's interesting, wasn't aware of that. But the calendar is already jammed as it is with 14 World Cups (which are almost like a European circuit) and the teams with money to travel during the winter across Europe comercially want to race in Belgium. Curious to see how that would be viable. Don't think many national federations have the money to let their young riders race in two separate circuits. My country for instance doesn't even send a single rider to any World Cup or World Championship.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

That's interesting, wasn't aware of that. But the calendar is already jammed as it is with 14 World Cups (which are almost like a European circuit) and the teams with money to travel during the winter across Europe comercially want to race in Belgium. Curious to see how that would be viable. Don't think many national federations have the money to let their young riders race in two separate circuits. My country for instance doesn't even send a single rider to any World Cup or World Championship.

Not sure how it'll work to be honest. I don't see how they'll fit it in to the schedule. I think it's not going to be new events but a combination of existing ones.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Men Elite
A little lacklustre event despite Namur’s fantastic race course. Van der Haar making a couple crucial mistakes while Vanthourenhout was riding a rock solid race. Well deserved victory to possibly one of the technically most adept riders in the Elite. It’s hard to ignore that MVDP, WVA and Pidcock (and Aerts) were not present.

Women Elite
Absolutely fantastic racing and an amazing come back by Van Empel. The women rode the technical parts of the course fantastically well - in particular Blanka Vas, Alvarado and Van Empel. A good battle until Van Empel could break away.

Women U23
Also an excellent race. Pieterse rock solid ride but still challenged by the chasers. Zoe Backstedt showing true CX spirit and despite a massive OTB crash she didn’t cave in and almost made it back to the podium. As did Van Anroij crashing on the last lap but no giving up and a third place.

Namur
Arguably the best, most technical and toughest CX course on the circus. This year’s version maybe a tad less exciting than previous years but yet exceptionally challenging.

Finally
Why did Iserbyt DNF? The commentators called him mr Consistent and I am inclined to agree - DNF when faced with adversity.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Iserbyt apparently had some knee/leg pain that he's saying is stemming from a back injury when he did some xc racing this spring. He's having a scan on Wednesday.

 

[Billie]

Whenever there's a big race it's the same stuff. If it rains or gets cold he cannot perform. If there is serious competition he does not stand a chance.

Rembember couple years ago when he had to abandon in Namur. Or when he was leading the world cup standings and crashed in Zolder and abandoned. And the following weeks when he abandoned race after race claiming his wrist was broken and every week the team did an MRI which showed nothing was wrong...

He is not a big champion.

Vanthourenhout, Aerts, Van der Haar, Sweecks, and the 3 superstars all have memorable victories the last couple of years but I cannot remember one of Iserbyts victories.

Also no victories against Van Aert or Van der Poel which the other guys have managed to pull of.

 

[Billie]

Also more importantly in a couple of weeks there will be Gavere, Zolder, Diegem Loenhout and Baal in 6 days and then the weekend after also Koksijde and Zonhoven. Going to be incredible

 

[lemon cheese cake]

It's clear a small knock for some is a massive blow for Iserbyt, whether physically or mentally. While I'm not that much of a fan of his, I listened to what he had to say on a podcast with Maghalie Rochette and seems like quite a likeable character off the bike. Stick him in a race and he's determined and focused, but from this and other things it would appear the focus and determination are quickly pushed aside.

I feel a good example is Maasmechelen. Had he won that I don't think he'd say what he said about the course. Sweeck obviously out him at the top of his abilities, he crashed, possibly wasn't quite the same afterwards and blamed it on the track as opposed to just being past the limit.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

So Iserbyt has had his scan and will be racing despite being diagnosed with Sciatica. In contrast, Annemarie Worst will be out for a bit following a knee injury at the Euros.

Pim Ronhaar will not race u23 anymore and has stepped up to elite fully, while ex teammate Toon Aerts was tagged in a video
by Bart Wellens and spotted training with the Tormans team during their weekly session.

@RedheadDane you'll be pleased to hear that the start list for Beekse Bergen had no asterisk to denote u23 next to Fem van Empel, so she'll race in white numbers from now onwards

 

[Barkintheeye]

Another thing. Belgium is dominating the men's disciplines (elite, u23 and junior) with lots of participants and strong consistent results. But what about the women? Netherlands, France, UK and Italy have many strong performers in the female categories but Belgium is apparently absent particularly in the elite division. Is Belgium in a generational change or what is going on?

 

[stonerider]

If MvdP would show up, healthy and motivated, I think you'd see Netherlands do a little better on the men's side...unless Wout also shows up healthy and motivated.

 

[Gwbert]

If MvdP would show up, healthy and motivated, I think you'd see Netherlands do a little better on the men's side...unless Wout also shows up healthy and motivated.

I have a feeling we’re gonna get a motivated mvdp (after the worlds and last year’s cx season) and a motivated wout (last year he came in pretty hot into the cx season). After Pidcock’s MTB fail at the Worlds he may even be pretty motivated too, although last year he had a slow start.

 

[stonerider]

All three, Wout, MvdP, and Pidcock, have been posting some run training on Strava during their roadie off-season. Wout posts run training most regularly of the big three and seems to be more durable than the other two. Both MvdP and Pidcock seem to deal with little injuries more often. Does Wout's more frequent runs, even during road season, help make him a more balanced athlete?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[jmdirt]

CdCA for the win! Congrats!