Race Thread

[Wyndbrook]

Mae Cabaca is probably the best junior of the season so far (racing among the pros) but it turns out she has a dispute with her team, so she rides in all black. Her (former) team manager now reacts on her latest Instagram post: "I hope you fail in everything you do". Mind you, this girl is 17 years old, and the guy is somewhere in his sixties. Classy stuff.

I'm not an Instagram user and have not seen it, but disappointing comment and sad.
Little surprised because the comments I've read else from Vershueren all seem to be reasonable given the situation.

 

[theyoungest]

I'm not an Instagram user and have not seen it, but disappointing comment and sad.
Little surprised because the comments I've read else from Vershueren all seem to be reasonable given the situation.

There's two Verschuerens, I guess a father and son. The reasonable-sounding comments came from the son.

The comment has since been removed and a newspaper article reporting on it is gone as well, so I guess there was mutual agreement that this was wildly inappropriate.

 

[Wyndbrook]

There's two Verschuerens, I guess a father and son. The reasonable-sounding comments came from the son.

The comment has since been removed and a newspaper article reporting on it is gone as well, so I guess there was mutual agreement that this was wildly inappropriate.

Many thanks, did not realise that.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

How does a race organiser/referee so totally miscalculate the number of laps needed to finish as close as possible to 50 minutes that the winner takes less than 40 minutes?

 

[theyoungest]

Two very convincing wins by Van der Haar and Van Empel on the Koppenberg. I thought they both looked the strongest in Overijse as well, but for various reasons neither of them won. Van Empel is clearly finding her form again, and Van der Haar... wow. Stronger than ever at age 33.

 

[lemon cheese cake]

I miss the old Koppenbergcross course with the start finish on the bottom and the steep cambered hairpins down through the field.

 

[logeardaddy]

Does anyone know why the camera showed a couple of politie escorting a fellow in mudboots? Did I not recognise someone famous (well, in cycling terms)?

 

[logeardaddy]

Does anyone know why the camera showed a couple of politie escorting a fellow in mudboots? Did I not recognise someone famous (well, in cycling terms)?

Nevermind, I see that he was giving Iserbyt an unauthorised beer feed.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I miss the old Koppenbergcross course with the start finish on the bottom and the steep cambered hairpins down through the field.

Yeah, this version is really tough (but less technical), and the time gaps in the women's Top 10 are huge.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

the time gaps in the women's Top 10 are huge.

They were indeed, to the extent that my 92 year old mother is joint 8th in the overall standings.

 

[Ricco']

How does a race organiser/referee so totally miscalculate the number of laps needed to finish as close as possible to 50 minutes that the winner takes less than 40 minutes?

Since this race was a female elite/under 23/junior race, it shouldn't be close to 50 minutes, per regulations, that state that race duration should be 40 minutes for women junior races and 45 minutes to joint elite/junior races.

Given the difficulties of this course, close to 40 minutes is the right decision, since we had 16 year olds at the start.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Looking forward to tomorrows junior race. First time this season we'll see a somewhat full international peloton, so it's rather hard to put any expectations on it. Based on absolutely nothing I'd say Krystof Bazant will be lead favourite, but someone like Theophile Vassal could just as well make such a statement look rather foolish. First time we'll be seeing Benjamin Noval as well, still sitting on a 100% win rate.

Just for fun I'll say 1. Krystof Bazant, 2. Cas Timmermans, 3. Theophile Vassal

 

[theyoungest]

They were indeed, to the extent that my 92 year old mother is joint 8th in the overall standings.

Well, then be happy that the poor lady didn't have to do another lap.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Bazant isn't racing, he's sick. But the juniors is the most interesting category in CX.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Since this race was a female elite/under 23/junior race, it shouldn't be close to 50 minutes, per regulations, that state that race duration should be 40 minutes for women junior races and 45 minutes to joint elite/junior races.

Given the difficulties of this course, close to 40 minutes is the right decision, since we had 16 year olds at the start.

OK, thanks. Shame commentators don't seem to know this sort of stuff.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Well, then be happy that the poor lady didn't have to do another lap.

That's the beauty of it: she didn't have to do any laps to be better placed in the overall than Crabbé and everyone that finished behind her.

 

[theyoungest]

That's the beauty of it: she didn't have to do any laps to be better placed in the overall than Crabbé and everyone that finished behind her.

She chickened out! Disappointing.

But I agree, the X2O overall is a little ridiculous behind the best 2-3 riders. Heck, Van Empel has won it twice now while not even racing everything. She could afford to lose 3 minutes once or twice.

 

[TheRossSeaParty]

Since this race was a female elite/under 23/junior race, it shouldn't be close to 50 minutes, per regulations, that state that race duration should be 40 minutes for women junior races and 45 minutes to joint elite/junior races.

Given the difficulties of this course, close to 40 minutes is the right decision, since we had 16 year olds at the start.

They really need to find a way to separate the junior women into their own race. Even if it means a tiny field. But it is a shame the elite women constantly have 40min races due to this rule. Amateur races where I live get 45mins minimum!

 

[stonerider]

They really need to find a way to separate the junior women into their own race. Even if it means a tiny field. But it is a shame the elite women constantly have 40min races due to this rule. Amateur races where I live get 45mins minimum!

With the Euro Champs race on Sunday, I'm sure the women were glad their Friday race was only 40 minutes.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Well, then be happy that the poor lady didn't have to do another lap.

Surely she should have been in Spain on Friday for the European age groups champs.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Benjamin Noval and Mattia Agostinacchio were just as quick as Felipe Orts yesterday in the mixed relay. Quicker than Sparfel too. Interesting.

Average speed of 31 km/h btw.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Interesting racing in the women's junior race - and again a variety of countries inside the Top 10; once again proving there is talent outside of the Bel/Ned area. But they're lost by U23/Elite level.....

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Normally don't like wheel suckers very much, but for this blatant attempt at statpadding by Schreiber I can make an exception.

 

[RedheadDane]

Michels repeats.
Terrible luck for Haverdings.
F. Agostinacchio couldn't quite repeat the success of his younger brother from earlier.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Italians seem to have a good bunch of junior/U23 riders - I hope they can stay in CX, and develop into top riders. Recent history suggests they may not.