Race Thread

[Tim Cahill]

The differential between PIdcock's climbing and power sections is too great to challenge VDP on this sort of course, he attacked immediately after the sand and got a huge gap, race over.

Plan on getting some dollar on him on some early season climbing stages though, like Algarve, Puy De Dome, Colombier, very dangerous on a unipuerto and he's making noises about taking his GC riding more seriously this year.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

finally Pidcock didnt have a bad start, but the wrong course for him. Just no shot with the sand pit and just MVDP's power here

The sand pit made all the difference today. Seems hard to get a good gap between top riders anywhere else on this course.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Pidcock's second bike last evening was bright orange at the front: presumably the 2024 Ineos paint job.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's definitely not dry...

 

[RedheadDane]

Looks like Sanne can.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Another last lap dive bomb from Pidcock, shades of the XCC at Glentress.......but this time I haven't heard any crying from Eli, unlike Luca......

Looks like Sanne is turning the clock back - just in time for Belgium Nationals......and another good ride from Czech U23 rider, Zemanova - who is still not signed by one of the top teams. Mystery......

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

you can tell when MvdP is struggling and/or going all out. He isn't at all haha.

 

[theyoungest]

MVDP's new tactic is just sadistic. Let the others think they can compete for a few laps, and then BOOM.

 

[Third Time Lucky]

I’m torn as a big MvdP fan.… Was hoping for closer racing this festive season tbh but it’s just too easy for him. OK, no one of note here today but still.
I cannot recall him being this good on a CX bike, ever.
How much is this to do with him being really selective about his racing in 2023 and treating the TDF as an intense training block?

 

[Axel Hangleck]

you can tell when MvdP is struggling and/or going all out. He isn't at all haha.

He's been quite selective with his efforts recently.....And he's got an eye on tomorrow at Hulst.

 

[Third Time Lucky]

Come on Kamp!
stick it to Jurgen Mettepenningen

 

[RedheadDane]

Gianni the luckier Vermeersch of the day.
Ryan putting up a good fight for third.

 

[Third Time Lucky]

Come on Kamp!
stick it to Jurgen Mettepenningen

Bollx

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Vamo vamo vammmmooooooooooo Felipe!!!

 

[Bolder]

I’m torn as a big MvdP fan.… Was hoping for closer racing this festive season tbh but it’s just too easy for him. OK, no one of note here today but still.
I cannot recall him being this good on a CX bike, ever.
How much is this to do with him being really selective about his racing in 2023 and treating the TDF as an intense training block?

He's been this good at cx for stretches in seasons past, but I think Wout, T. Aerts, and a few others were at a higher level so possibly more apparent now.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Complete domination, but a fantastic ride from Orts to take 3rd.

 

[senna6541]

I’m torn as a big MvdP fan.… Was hoping for closer racing this festive season tbh but it’s just too easy for him. OK, no one of note here today but still.
I cannot recall him being this good on a CX bike, ever.
How much is this to do with him being really selective about his racing in 2023 and treating the TDF as an intense training block?

None of this is really new. Check out his CX record on the sites that post that stuff. It's pretty crazy. Now you are watching what is basically the perfect CX racer - sublime handle, huge engine, unmatched explosive power and killer instinct - at his physical peak with 14 or so months of no injuries, incidents, etc. Nothing MVDP has done over the past 12 months is outside of what would be expected of him based on his past results. He just had a bad 2 year or so run of silly injuries, crashes, incidents that made him seem somewhat mortal (still won huge races). But the the guy has always been a complete freak (see RVV and Amstel in 2019) and now he is just doing what was expected of him all along.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I’m torn as a big MvdP fan.… Was hoping for closer racing this festive season tbh but it’s just too easy for him. OK, no one of note here today but still.
I cannot recall him being this good on a CX bike, ever.
How much is this to do with him being really selective about his racing in 2023 and treating the TDF as an intense training block?

people keep saying this have clearly missed 17-19 period.

One season he had 30 / 32 wins where the two not-wins were a DNF and a 21th place on the Koppenberg (off day). He might well be physically stronger now. But as a pure cyclocrosser he was at his best then.

This year he hasn't even done 1 cross training prior to starting cross. Yeah, ok, 1 beach ride in spain.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Great course tomorrow...or today, depending on where you live:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vHcPzOyBqU&t=683s

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Swiss champion Alessandra Keller will ride in a few Kerstperiode races; though better known as the XCC & XCO overall World Cup winner in 2022.
Good to see; so few MTB riders now bother with CX...(not counting Puck & Tom)

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

McCrossan must be unwell: the first corner wasn't referred to as a hole-shot

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Bentveld having another good race.......any rumours of WT teams interest?

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Puck clearly with the best course recon.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Puck slowing down

 

[KZD]

Best women's CX race of the season!

Huge level from the 'big 4', Van Empel didn't do a bad race at all and she finished outside of the podium for the first time this season.

Alvarado's recovery in the last lap was amazing but Pieterse was just a bit stronger in the end.