Race Thread

[Echoes]

y

Two dutch guys in the top 10, a good swiss guy again from a top pro team

Taramarcaz made another great ride today. He's a mtb specialist too, so I think those courses are tailor-made for him. In Hamme-Zogge that will be something else.

It's normal to have Dutchies in the top10, though. They've never left cross, unlike some might think.

True, but what would you do if you are the boss? Giving Vantornhout the change who did not seem to have a change for the win and wins just ones every year or help Pauwels for his ranking, who won the whole serie last year incl. World cup and a lot of races...

Well I insist on the fact that when Fidea had a mighty team, none of their riders would ever race for one another, except perhaps in the final leg of a given challenge when team mates had nothing left to gain or lose. Pauwels raced for Fidea. And he would mix it up with teammate Stybar in the sprint without any of the two making a present to the other one, and the boss did not have a say either. I remember that very well.

Just imagine KP has to retire from one race, the ranking is over for him and the hopes of the team would be on Klaas's shoulders. It was just the second leg.

 

[theyoungest]

Thanks too for making it clear.


Today, he yet again showed his youth hotheadedness. And he even admits it in the itw. When he came back, he knew he would blow up. His interviews are still very funny.

His interviews are funny? He's the only one of these guys who actually says something, it's refreshing.

He's obviously just riding to get stronger, not bothering too much about results. And I like it.

Taramarcaz made another great ride today. He's a mtb specialist too, so I think those courses are tailor-made for him. In Hamme-Zogge that will be something else.

It's normal to have Dutchies in the top10, though. They've never left cross, unlike some might think.

No, they haven't. But Holland isn't a cross nation anymore.

 

[Echoes]

Is it offensive to be funny?

I'm a fan of his because of that. After his first World title, he said road cycling was boring (saai). That was funny as well.

Here when Mannaerts asks him if he knew whether he would blow up when he joined the two leaders, he unambiguously said 'Ja'. (if I understood well because Dutch is not my mother tongue) Sorry but I had to smile ...

Also when he described his cramps, I had a little smile (even though he must have suffered)

He's young and frank and that's refreshing. And funny.

 

[theyoungest]

Ah, you mean he's funny in the interviews. Subtle difference

Of course in a world of Kevin Pauwelses and Lars Booms it's easy to be the slightly more interesting (and less dumb) interviewee.

 

[Echoes]

They all have their own personality, which we have to respect.

The most important for me is that they remain themselves when on camera.

I'm sure that Van der Haar is as carefree off camera than he is on camera.

Pauwels is as shy on and off too. The guy suffered from a slight form of autism when he was young.


But I know a lot of riders who look nice on camera but are true j*rks off camera.

 

[Echoes]

Franzoi wins in Radquer Hittnau, Switzerland. Cool!

1 Enrico FRANZOI ITA 1:00:55
2 Lukas WINTERBERG SUI 1:00:56
3 Elia SILVESTRI ITA 1:01:44
4 Nicola ROHRBACH SUI 1:01:58
5 Marco PONTA ITA 1:02:35
6 Laurent COLOMBATTO FRA 1:02:59
7 Sascha WEBER GER 1:03:10
8 Marcel WILDHABER SUI 1:03:16
9 Andreas MOSER SUI 1:03:18
10 Lars FORSTER SUI 1:03:55
11 Severin SAGESSER SUI 1:04:12
12 Lorenzo SAMPARISI ITA 1:04:13
13 Fabian LIENHARD SUI 1:04:13
14 Lukas MÜLLER SUI 1:04:15
15 René LANG SUI 1:04:34
16 Melvin RULLIERE FRA 1:04:40
17 Michael WILDHABER SUI 1:04:52
18 David KASEK CZE 1:05:39
19 Jonas BAUMANN SUI 1:05:46
20 Martin GLUTH GER 1:05:59
21 Dario STAUBLE SUI
22 Nico BRÜNGGER SUI
23 Stefan ACHERMANN SUI
24 Fabio URSI ITA
25 Vaclav METLICKA SVK
26 Thomas BOULOGNE FRA
27 Peter ERDIN SUI
28 Rick REIMANN SUI
29 Fabian HEROLD SUI

 

[Spine Concept]

No, they haven't. But Holland isn't a cross nation anymore.

...and yet they win in every category on a regular basis except the pro's. Mathieu van der Poel absolutely destroys the field in every single race on the Junior level and judged by his lap times he'd probably dominate the U-23's as well very soon. Mike Teunissen just became European champion at U-23 level and has already won a couple of races emphatically this season. Corné van Kessel is also doing well in that category. Sanne van Paassen is doing really well in the women's category by winning in Tabor and just getting out-sprinted for gold at the EC, and we all know what will happen once Vos starts racing at the end of this month... Even in the ''nieuwelingen'' category the Dutch have strong riders coming up with Max Gulickx recently winning in Zonhoven and either winning or podium for every other race. If this doesn't get the Netherlands interested in cyclocross then nothing will. I fear that as long as they don't break through in the pro ranks nothing will change.

Out of all these - male - riders I think Mathieu van der Poel has the most potential to dominate on pro level, though I really like Lars van der Haar and hope he'll be a genuine force to be reckoned with in a year or two and break the Belgian hegemony. I am also really intrigued by Julien Taramarcaz, hope to see more of him in races to come.

 

[Matthijs]

...and yet they win in every category on a regular basis except the pro's. Mathieu van der Poel absolutely destroys the field in every single race on the Junior level and judged by his lap times he'd probably dominate the U-23's as well very soon. Mike Teunissen just became European champion at U-23 level and has already won a couple of races emphatically this season. Corné van Kessel is also doing well in that category. Sanne van Paassen is doing really well in the women's category by winning in Tabor and just getting out-sprinted for gold at the EC, and we all know what will happen once Vos starts racing at the end of this month... Even in the ''nieuwelingen'' category the Dutch have strong riders coming up with Max Gulickx recently winning in Zonhoven and either winning or podium for every other race. If this doesn't get the Netherlands interested in cyclocross then nothing will. I fear that as long as they don't break through in the pro ranks nothing will change.

Out of all these - male - riders I think Mathieu van der Poel has the most potential to dominate on pro level, though I really like Lars van der Haar and hope he'll be a genuine force to be reckoned with in a year or two and break the Belgian hegemony. I am also really intrigued by Julien Taramarcaz, hope to see more of him in races to come.

True, but allmost all races disappeared since Richard Groenendaal is not at hit toplevel any more. The days of Groenendaal, Adri van der Poel and Wim de Vos are over. Just one good guy last 5 years and he switched to the road.
I hope there is a bright future. But Dutch audiences onlywant the best. They cheer for the Tour and Vuelta. The interest will grow as Dutch guys win Wc's, Wereldbeker-rounds and stuff. U23 is interesting and there is potention yes. But they have to stay in the dirt and come on the level as the Belgium guys.

 

[theyoungest]

...and yet they win in every category on a regular basis except the pro's. Mathieu van der Poel absolutely destroys the field in every single race on the Junior level and judged by his lap times he'd probably dominate the U-23's as well very soon. Mike Teunissen just became European champion at U-23 level and has already won a couple of races emphatically this season. Corné van Kessel is also doing well in that category. Sanne van Paassen is doing really well in the women's category by winning in Tabor and just getting out-sprinted for gold at the EC, and we all know what will happen once Vos starts racing at the end of this month... Even in the ''nieuwelingen'' category the Dutch have strong riders coming up with Max Gulickx recently winning in Zonhoven and either winning or podium for every other race. If this doesn't get the Netherlands interested in cyclocross then nothing will. I fear that as long as they don't break through in the pro ranks nothing will change.

Out of all these - male - riders I think Mathieu van der Poel has the most potential to dominate on pro level, though I really like Lars van der Haar and hope he'll be a genuine force to be reckoned with in a year or two and break the Belgian hegemony. I am also really intrigued by Julien Taramarcaz, hope to see more of him in races to come.

I'm not saying Holland sucks in cyclocross (certainly not in the youth categories) but the Dutch public doesn't give a rat's a.ss about the sport. I doubt most of them even know it exists.

Mathieu van der Poel to me seems a really big talent, who will turn out to be too good to stay in cyclocross. But we'll see.

 

[Spine Concept]

I'm not saying Holland sucks in cyclocross (certainly not in the youth categories) but the Dutch public doesn't give a rat's a.ss about the sport. I doubt most of them even know it exists.

Mathieu van der Poel to me seems a really big talent, who will turn out to be too good to stay in cyclocross. But we'll see.

I wasn't implying that you said Holland sucks in cyclocross hence the ''...and yet'' as in ''be that as it may...'' start of my post and the ''if that doesn't get Holland interested in cyclocross then nothing will'' bit. I was just pointing out what a shame it is that Holland disregard the great results of their compatriots in all ranks - except the pro's - of late. Which is why I really hope van der Haar and/or van der Poel really make it big on pro level and command the respect they deserve. Agree on van der Poel though, albeit probably being the biggest talent in cyclocross currently, that might also be his biggest hurdle; staying put.

 

[Matthijs]

I wasn't implying that you said Holland sucks in cyclocross hence the ''...and yet'' as in ''be that as it may...'' start of my post and the ''if that doesn't get Holland interested in cyclocross then nothing will'' bit. I was just pointing out what a shame it is that Holland disregard the great results of their compatriots in all ranks - except the pro's - of late. Which is why I really hope van der Haar and/or van der Poel really make it big on pro level and command the respect they deserve. Agree on van der Poel though, albeit probably being the biggest talent in cyclocross currently, that might also be his biggest hurdle; staying put.

Let's not forget Tijmen Eijsing, Corne van Kessel and Mike Teunissen. Or Sophie de Boer and Sabrina Stultiens (who joined the pro-races too soon because she too good for junior racing like Lars van der Haar or Tom meeusen two season ago). Or Twan van de Brand and Thijs van Amerongen.
I noticed a slight increase in tv-exposure. I think they show some World Cup events live on Dutch tv, depending on the schemes of other sports. Probably because Lars van der Haar.

 

[Echoes]

and Gert-Jan Bosman!

 

[Spine Concept]

Let's not forget Tijmen Eijsing, Corne van Kessel and Mike Teunissen. Or Sophie de Boer and Sabrina Stultiens (who joined the pro-races too soon because she too good for junior racing like Lars van der Haar or Tom meeusen two season ago). Or Twan van de Brand and Thijs van Amerongen.
I noticed a slight increase in tv-exposure. I think they show some World Cup events live on Dutch tv, depending on the schemes of other sports. Probably because Lars van der Haar.

I already mentioned Corné van Kessel and Mike Teunissen just a couple of posts above. The others you mentioned were not really at the forefront - though van der Brand and van Amerongen did get some top 10 placings - this season yet which is why I did not mention them. Lars van der Haar really deserves the exposure though, he's been awesome, especially when you consider that he's technically still an espoir. I think Mathieu van der Poel will be a more dominating force in the pro ranks though, being a junior and looking at his lap times he would probably be dominating the espoirs already - and easily riding in the pro peloton. I also hope that Meeusen can turn the tide this season and have some good luck for a change, the poor guy has had enough already.

 

[Echoes]

Bosman > van Kessel, for me.

He's not in form this winter season, but last year for his 1st year as U23, he was impressive. And this summer too.

 

[Echoes]

Cyclocross fans, still alive?

BPost event today in Hasselt, Nys with 15 seconds ahead of Albert on a course that is usually short on gaps between 1st and 2nd.

Tomorrow, Superprestige Asper Gavere, my own favourite.

 

[Echoes]

I really pity all those who post on the Bore de France thread of the PRR section instead of watching Asper Gavere.

Tremendous race by Klaas.

 

[spalco]

Another impressive win by Nys, super tough race it looked like, with that deep mud on some parts. I felt a little bad for Vantornout, but Nys is such a warrior, there's no shame giving up a sprint to him.

 

[Lanark]

This has been a really great season so far. A lot of tight, exciting races. This weekend was no exception. I was afraid with Stybar quiting this would become a bit one-dimensional, but that certainly hasn't been the case so far!

 

[Echoes]

I know that the casual cycling fan does not give a damn about Koksijde but I still wished to say that this was the hell of race and that I appreciated that the organizers reintroduced the "Herijgers dune" with the uphill loop on the left where in the past Vervecken showed his running skills.

Sad that his record is now broken. It should've been only equalled if justice had been done last year. But well... This year Nys was awesome.

 

[CyclingHD]

My pictures of Koksijde

This saturday I have been in Koksijde to see the World Cup Cyclo-cross.
At this venue I made some pictures of the mens and women race.

Here I have put my best 4 pictures.

1. Sven Nys cycling to the start of victory race

2. Riders in pursuit

3. Katie Compton on the last hill of the race, cycling to her victory.

4. Cyclo-cross the way it only can in Belgium

Hope you liked my pictures!

 

[spalco]

Does Nys always have such a late start into a race? Seems like he's making things difficult for himself very often and needs 20 minutes to catch up then. Or is it just that others attack early to maybe get rid of him?

 

[Echoes]

He's never been a top starter. Neither has Albert. However with age, it's normally the first thing that impairs, I think. It was the case for Vervecken as well, I recall.


CyclingHD's pics are great.

The last pic depicts the dune that I was talking of. Vervecken's favourite. Not a sand specialist but there he could show his running skill. At last year's Worlds and World Cup event, that dune was scrapped. Unfortunately.

 

[spalco]

Lol, did Nys make a bad gear shift in the sprint there or what? How embarassing for a veteran like him.

But nice for Pauwels to finally get on in again against him.

 

[Echoes]

Yeah too much power on that pedal. His own mistake.

Pauwels shows again, that when in form he always takes initiatives, unlike many think.

 

[Lexman]

does anyon knows the results in Igorre and Pontchateau from yesterday?