The Cycling News forum is still looking to add volunteer moderators with. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
What an utterly insane race. Van der Poel and Van Aert can buzz right off. This is what we want.
A shame to see the Sauces team win races, especially one as prestigious as Namur..........
Both men's and women's races were fabulous.What an utterly insane race. Van der Poel and Van Aert can buzz right off. This is what we want.
I suspect the race organizers feel differently.THIS THIS THIS. this sport does not need stars. does not need clicks and fanboyism. just let the cyclocrossers race and get us great races.
I think they're putting all their eggs in the MvdP/WvA basket then. What happens when they retire/ leave CX?I suspect the race organizers feel differently.
I think it was because the first 16 world cup ranked riders get precidence, then on world rankings, as the highest uci ranked rider not in the top 16, 5th uci ranked Puck scraped on the second row because only 15 of the top world cup ranked were there (no Moors).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 wonder what Isabella Holmgren could have done on that course.........It usually suits MTB riders.Putting my Maple Leaf glasses on (they rarely come off here, tbh) Canada had the top teenaged finishers in both elite races: 17yo Rafaelle Carrier in 19th, and 19yo Ian Ackert in 23rd.
Maghalie Rochette injured her finger somehow at Herentals and flew home a day early.
Carrier had a 10th at Baal last year, so perhaps she specializes in hard, muddy courses.
Holmgren has dominated MTB in the junior and U23 ranks because she is a superior climber - a W/kg monster. I think she can do well with a heavy course, but I don't know how she'd handle the technical challenges of Namur.I wonder what Isabella Holmgren could have done on that course.........It usually suits MTB riders.
Those Namur climbs are right up her street - and if you can finish 5th (1st U23) in the Elite MTB Worlds in Andorra, with the rooty climbs and descents - she'd be capable of a good result (Top 10) I'm sure.Holmgren has dominated MTB in the junior and U23 ranks because she is a superior climber - a W/kg monster. I think she can do well with a heavy course, but I don't know how she'd handle the technical challenges of Namur.
We can hope that MvdP shows up out of shape, like he did for the TdF this year. I'd love to see Wout, or someone else, beat him this year before he reaches top form. It probably won't be Eli beating him...just MvdP releasing his schedule has gotten into his head.What an utterly insane race. Van der Poel and Van Aert can buzz right off. This is what we want.
Brand rode it in full at least once without dabbing. That was impressive.At Namur, it's all about the long off camber section. Puck lost all of her momentum in that section each lap and that is where Toon lost the race win. Ceylin and Lucinda were killing it in that section, as well as Michael V. in the men's race.
I don't see it happening. Even with MVDP less than fully cooked, I think you need someone to separate themselves from the pack a bit before they can challenge him. A few years ago, Pidcock. Last year Nieuwenhuis was closest. At the beginning of this year there were a few times it looked like Thibau would be that guy, but he's fallen off.We can hope that MvdP shows up out of shape, like he did for the TdF this year. I'd love to see Wout, or someone else, beat him this year before he reaches top form. It probably won't be Eli beating him...just MvdP releasing his schedule has gotten into his head.
It was always Honsinger’s best course because she could make up so much time on the climbs to overcome her poor starts.Those Namur climbs are right up her street - and if you can finish 5th (1st U23) in the Elite MTB Worlds in Andorra, with the rooty climbs and descents - she'd be capable of a good result (Top 10) I'm sure.
Ronhaar and Nys are probably the best bets among young riders. Nieuwenhuis was probably the 2nd best overall last season, but both he and Ronhaar have been dealing with illness and injury this year.We will have to look to the next generation of riders. TNys looked promising but has yet to live up to expectations. Ronhaar also looked great last year but quite not so this year. Maybe Verstrynge, Kuypers, Michels, Dockx or someone else?
I know Schreiber and Backstedt have been on a similar level this year, but I think Backstedt is the better rider and will prove as much over the course of the season. I expect the Holmgrens, or at least Isabella, to be mixing it up with the Bentvelds and Schreibers of the world this season, and end up a little off the level of Zoe, especially when (if?) all compete in U23s at worlds.Excited for the Holmgrens, i think they could be Backstedt/Schreiber level, or maybe better in a few years.
On Ronhaar i think he’s almost back to where he should be. Nys on the other hand seems to be all over the place since he won the Euros.