Race Thread

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Bummed neither is doing Diegem. The 2022 race is still probably my favorite race I have ever watched. In fact, I'm going to go watch it again, now.

Also bummed that so far with no Joris, as at the end of last season, he made a case that it should be the Big 3.5 at least. I hear shingles is horrible, but hopefully we will see him soon.

 

[Sciatic]

Bummed neither is doing Diegem. The 2022 race is still probably my favorite race I have ever watched. In fact, I'm going to go watch it again, now.

Also bummed that so far with no Joris, as at the end of last season, he made a case that it should be the Big 3.5 at least. I hear shingles is horrible, but hopefully we will see him soon.

Good reminder that need to get that shot!

 

[Wvv]

Bummed neither is doing Diegem. The 2022 race is still probably my favorite race I have ever watched. In fact, I'm going to go watch it again, now.

Absolutely one of the best cyclocross races of this generation. From start till finish.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Absolutely one of the best cyclocross races of this generation. From start till finish.

Actually, I'd forgotten about Loenhout 2022, which may be even better.

 

[Wvv]

Actually, I'd forgotten about Loenhout 2022, which may be even better.

Hmmm. Fine one, but Diegem had more changing scenarios and the atmosphere and circumstances were amazing. For example, in Loenhout Pidcock was only hanging on, and it felt more like 1 bad line was decisive for the outcome.

 

[Wvv]

Mathieu announced 11 CX races, surprisingly no Benidorm but 4 duels with Wout in total. And of course the World Championships.

 

[jono]

By way of comparison, when he announced his race calendar last year there were 13 races, and he added another (Herentals) at the beginning of his season.

Races MVDP will do this season that he did not do last season: Besancon, Dendermonde, Maasmechelen

Raced in 23/24, not scheduled in 24/25: Herentals, Antwerpen, Diegem, Hulst, Benidorm, Hamme

On both calendars: Zonhoven, Mol, Gavere, Loenhout, Baal, Koksijde, Hoogerheide, Worlds

Hulst and Benidorm are the courses I most wish he kept for this year.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Puck is racing Sunday!!

 

[Wvv]

Vanthourenhout is the first non-MVDP or -WVA rider to win Herentals.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

An Austrian winner of the men's Junior race, Valentin Hofer...........

 

[jmdirt]

Good race, great sprint sprint! Congrats Andrew!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUbeTKcIOwA

 

[jmdirt]

Congrats young lady, your decision to race Elite paid off nicely!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjRzSUQYGx4

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Good race, great sprint sprint! Congrats Andrew!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUbeTKcIOwA

I just watched. What a great race!!

 

[Axel Hangleck]

First year U23 San Roman winning the women's Elite is rather impressive - though it also puts the US Elite standards in an average light. None of the men's Elite are going to cause problems in Europe. However, there are some exciting US youngsters coming through - and maybe it's not just Canada who has talents.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

A bit late to post this but

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYSs-O6UEbU

 

[RedheadDane]

Van Empel not having a good day...

 

[JR1012]

Namur delivers again. Great racing so far.

 

[JR1012]

Can anyone explain why Puck started from the second row? She had no points but could start ahead of others who already had points in the world cup standing.

 

[pmcg76]

Alvarado almost threw that away with mistakes on the last lap, Brand had that off-camber section really really dialled in. She took huge chunks of time there each lap compared to everyone else. Bad, bad day for Fem, she looks very far from the rider that dominated the last two seasons. Even yesterday, it was more the mistakes of others than her own ride that gave her the win. Hard to see her improving over the rest of the season to get back to her top level.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Can anyone explain why Puck started from the second row? She had no points but could start ahead of others who already had points in the world cup standing.

I haven't studied the points she currently holds in other disciplines, but in all probability it has to do with that. UCI wants to make the interchangeability between disciplines easier for those that wish to do so, by giving them better starting positions based upon points gathered in said other disciplines. Should also make it more attractive for others to take the dive, though I haven't really seen that happen as of yet.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

It's quite amusing how much of a mental wreck Van Empel is. The slightest inconvenience could derail her entire race.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Namur delivers again. Great racing so far.

It's probably the best course on the World Cup schedule; has a bit of everything - and you need to be a well rounded rider to win there.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

Should also make it more attractive for others to take the dive, though I haven't really seen that happen as of yet.

No, and it doesn't look likely - Puck is the only top XC MTB racer to ride a CX World Cup; it just doesn't seem on their radar anymore - especially now with the longer MTB season.

 

[pastronef]

does Cyclocross need to be in the winter Olympics?
I don't know
but to see the Belgian team riders race against each other would be fun

 

[Coffeeplanter]

What an utterly insane race. Van der Poel and Van Aert can buzz right off. This is what we want.