Race Thread

[theyoungest]

Alvarado looked livid, and quite rightly - it was a false start. Appalling organisation......

Yes and no. It was a weird situation, sure, but there was a precedent (literally the day before) and pretty much every contender went along with it. Except for her. It's not like Brand or Van Empel expected the start to be given via whistle.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Yes and no. It was a weird situation, sure, but there was a precedent (literally the day before) and pretty much every contender went along with it. Except for her. It's not like Brand or Van Empel expected the start to be given via whistle.

But it would have been more sensible to follow what was done on Saturday when there was a similar issue.

Speaking of Saturdays races, I finally got round to watching them and good racing in both the men's and women's.

Jens Adams will change from 1st March to Marc Hermans Race for Hope team from his private setup. I think this used to be the team that the van Anrooij's used to race for.

 

[pmcg76]

Yes and no. It was a weird situation, sure, but there was a precedent (literally the day before) and pretty much every contender went along with it. Except for her. It's not like Brand or Van Empel expected the start to be given via whistle.

Saturday was a bit different as nobody moved because the lights didn't change. After that they were told it was a whistle. I think Sunday, they thought they were starting to the lights, but when they failed, some went on the whistle whilst others didn't. I don't think it was made clear beforehand they were going on the whistle if the lights failed and imo it still should have been one or the other.

Agree that Van Empel was cruising yesterday whilst Brand was suffering. Once she finally decided to go, the gap opened quickly.

 

[davidsonduke]

Yes and no. It was a weird situation, sure, but there was a precedent (literally the day before) and pretty much every contender went along with it. Except for her. It's not like Brand or Van Empel expected the start to be given via whistle.

Totally different in that the organizers told all the racers what would happen, and even did specific communication with the hearing-impaired rider. In this case the whistle went off without the lights changing with no notice.

 

[theyoungest]

Totally different in that the organizers told all the racers what would happen, and even did specific communication with the hearing-impaired rider. In this case the whistle went off without the lights changing with no notice.

I'm not defending the jury, it was definitely a mess, but Alvarado actually made things worse for herself by sitting up and complaining rather than just going along with it.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Yes and no. It was a weird situation, sure, but there was a precedent (literally the day before) and pretty much every contender went along with it. Except for her. It's not like Brand or Van Empel expected the start to be given via whistle.

Not a precedent at all. On Saturday when the lights didn't change nobody moved, then they said we'll go on the whistle. On Sunday the lights didn't change again, someone blew a whistle and those that heard it started. Alvarado wasn't the only one to miss it, practically everyone on the far side of the road was slower to start. If there is much crowd noise or wind you don't hear a whistle through that many riders when you are on the far side of the grid, that's why they went to the lights system. Especially if you are not listening for a whistle.

 

[theyoungest]

Not a precedent at all. On Saturday when the lights didn't change nobody moved, then they said we'll go on the whistle. On Sunday the lights didn't change again, someone blew a whistle and those that heard it started. Alvarado wasn't the only one to miss it, practically everyone on the far side of the road was slower to start. If there is much crowd noise or wind you don't hear a whistle through that many riders when you are on the far side of the grid, that's why they went to the lights system. Especially if you are not listening for a whistle.

Once again, I'm not defending the jury, it was messy and should not have happened. But the actual false start didn't cost Alvarado that much time, it's the sitting up and protesting that did. She was in her rights to do so, but in the end she only shot herself in the foot.

 

[pmcg76]

Once again, I'm not defending the jury, it was messy and should not have happened. But the actual false start didn't cost Alvarado that much time, it's the sitting up and protesting that did. She was in her rights to do so, but in the end she only shot herself in the foot.

Yes Alvarado hestitated, but in any event that a false start occurs, then the race should be re-started. Saying its the athletes fault is not correct. I have never witnessed it before in a cyclo-cross event so dont know how they re-call them. There was a bit of money on the line for Alvarado so can understand why she was angry.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Yes Alvarado hestitated, but in any event that a false start occurs, then the race should be re-started. Saying its the athletes fault is not correct. I have never witnessed it before in a cyclo-cross event so dont know how they re-call them. There was a bit of money on the line for Alvarado so can understand why she was angry.

The only time I can recall it happening is in one of the Junior Mens or Womens world cups at Tabor, where they were sent back to the start. Others like Antwerp a couple of seasons ago (also at the time DVV/X2O) had light issues in the Women's race and they carried on that time as well.

Puck Pieterse is listed on the start list for Omloop van het Hageland on sunday which, according to First Cycling, will be her only other road race, since the junior rr champs in 2019.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Puck Pieterse is listed on the start list for Omloop van het Hageland on sunday which, according to First Cycling, will be her only other road race, since the junior rr champs in 2019.

That's interesting; I did wonder whether she might go straight into the early season XCO races whilst in good form, and before a rest. The races in Banyoles this weekend look like a mini World Cup.....

 

[theyoungest]

That's interesting; I did wonder whether she might go straight into the early season XCO races whilst in good form, and before a rest. The races in Banyoles this weekend look like a mini World Cup.....

Puck called her recent training rides on Strava the 'road to roadie' so I think she'll definitely be doing some road races in the very near future. I think most of us expected Fem to focus on the road and Puck to mostly do mountain biking, but for now it's the other way around

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Puck called her recent training rides on Strava the 'road to roadie' so I think she'll definitely be doing some road races in the very near future. I think most of us expected Fem to focus on the road and Puck to mostly do mountain biking, but for now it's the other way around

I saw that Fem is starting her season with the Volta Limburg, followed by Brabantse Pijl and and Fleche Wallonne.

That's interesting; I did wonder whether she might go straight into the early season XCO races whilst in good form, and before a rest. The races in Banyoles this weekend look like a mini World Cup.....

Last year she started at one of the Bundesliga races in April, so that could be the plan considering the world cup doesn't start until may.

 

[theyoungest]

I saw that Fem is starting her season with the Volta Limburg, followed by Brabantse Pijl and and Fleche Wallonne.

Yes, these are the only road races she will do until the XCO world cups. It's an interesting project, the chances of qualifying for the Olympics are really small. Almost impossible. But never say never.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Yes, these are the only road races she will do until the XCO world cups. It's an interesting project, the chances of qualifying for the Olympics are really small. Almost impossible. But never say never.

Exactly - never say never. One year before Tokyo, Pidcock had never even ridden in a MTB World Cup.......

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I think one of Puck and Fem will end up qualifying, but not both.

Is there a document anywhere with how the qualification works, other than the vague thing with a few dates on the olympic website?

 

[lemon cheese cake]

Next year's world cup schedule has been released. Still 14 rounds. Overijse, Beekse Bergen, Fayetteville, Tabor (worlds) and Besancon are out and Flamanville, Dendemonde, Namur and Hoogerheide are in.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1628413689064742912

View: https://twitter.com/UCIcyclocrossWC/status/1628413689064742912?s=20

 

[theyoungest]

I think one of Puck and Fem will end up qualifying, but not both.

Is there a document anywhere with how the qualification works, other than the vague thing with a few dates on the olympic website?

There are two spots available on the Dutch team. The qualification requirements are in this document: https://nocnsf.nl/media/6175/kwalificatiedocument-os-parijs-2024-mountainbike.pdf

In short, a rider needs a top-8 in a world cup, top-8 in the Euro championships, or top-12 in the worlds. That will already be a tall order, but then there's also the small matter of doing better than world no. 4 Anne Terpstra, and Anne Tauber (11th at the Olympics).

 

[Axel Hangleck]

That's a slightly disappointing calendar; no Overijse which is a 'classic' of the CX season, and Dendermonde returns...Why?? It's an X20 race at the most. And only one US round, which may mean most decide to miss it, apart from Baloise-Trek.
Too many Belgian races for a supposed World Cup, and please, give up on London and go elsewhere.....

One day, Flanders Classics will realise that 14 is far too many, 10 is a more reasonable number.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

and please, give up on London and go elsewhere.....

They have: Dublin, the same 'elsewhere' as this year.

 

[Hugh Januss]

And only one US round, which may mean most decide to miss it, apart from Baloise-Trek.
Too many Belgian races for a supposed World Cup, and please, give up on London and go elsewhere.....

One day, Flanders Classics will realise that 14 is far too many, 10 is a more reasonable number.

Might be the beginning of the end for US World Cups. When only one big Euro Team shows up it will be easy to make the point that it's just too far from the rest of the cross world. Definitely too many Belgian races to call it a "World Cup" but that's no surprise given the entity that runs it. Might as well drop the pretense and call it the Flanders Cup/With Guest Races.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

And only one US round, which may mean most decide to miss it, apart from Baloise-Trek.

And on Wielerflits it said that Fayetteville weren't wanting a world cup due to the small fields. Well guess what Fayetteville? Thanks to you, you've probably made it so the field in Waterloo is even smaller!!

 

[theyoungest]

Might be the beginning of the end for US World Cups. When only one big Euro Team shows up it will be easy to make the point that it's just too far from the rest of the cross world. Definitely too many Belgian races to call it a "World Cup" but that's no surprise given the entity that runs it. Might as well drop the pretense and call it the Flanders Cup/With Guest Races.

It is a Flemish sport, after all. Even the two Dutch races are only a few kilometers from the Belgian border. There simply isn't any money for this sport outside of Flanders. The criticism over there is usually that they're trying too hard to expand the sport outside of Belgium, which the Flemish fans see as futile. Seems Flanders Classics can't really please anyone.

 

[Barkintheeye]

There are two spots available on the Dutch team. The qualification requirements are in this document: https://nocnsf.nl/media/6175/kwalificatiedocument-os-parijs-2024-mountainbike.pdf

In short, a rider needs a top-8 in a world cup, top-8 in the Euro championships, or top-12 in the worlds. That will already be a tall order, but then there's also the small matter of doing better than world no. 4 Anne Terpstra, and Anne Tauber (11th at the Olympics).

Is it then correct to assume that the two Anne are qualified unless FVE and/or PP get one (1) top-8 world cup or top-8 EC or top-12 WC? Or do FVE/PP also have to beat Anne and Anne?

 

[Axel Hangleck]

The qualification period runs from 7th May 2022 - 26th May 2024, including the UCI Worlds in Scotland in August 2023; and both 2023/24 Euros.(yet to be confirmed)
At the moment both Annes are in a good position, but there's a long way to go; form can drop away. I don't think anybody is a definite....
How Puck handles the step up to the Elites will be interesting. If Fem dominates the U23 this year, and does well early next season, who knows?
For the Dutch the major worry is the men; at the moment they won't be sending anybody

 

[Axel Hangleck]

They have: Dublin, the same 'elsewhere' as this year.

How have they managed to find a venue & money to get a CX World Cup with no world class riders? Yet the UK has had recent World Champions in all but one category....but nothing. If we can't get one during a 'golden era' we'll never get one.
And no Swiss round is a shame; once the 'home; of the sport....and now nothing.