Race Thread

[rote_laterne]

Austria Elite Men
Raggl
Ritzinger
Hofer

Austria Elite Women
Heigl
Pasteiner
Holland (junior)

 

[Breh]

I don't know about anyone else, but I cannot decide whether or not I like the sport.
I am currently watching the U23 Belgian national championship race, and part of me feels embarrassed to watch super fit athletes slip around and crash in a mud-pile while carrying their bikes. The spectacle seems silly, and I kinda feel bad for the eventual winner, who will be crowned best guy to ride and walk your bike through a pit of mud.
There is also the sheer determination part of this spectacle that is kind of compelling. I mean, it takes a lot of strength and willpower to fall face first in a pile of mud and get back up and act as if nothing happened.
Im starting to think the sport kinda sucks.
Who would think it s a good idea to ride your bike on a beach (qm)

You could argue that riding your bike on a flat surface is just way too easy and not very challenging at all.

The parcours for the Belgian national championship was abit silly tho.

 

[jflemaire]

I don't know about anyone else, but I cannot decide whether or not I like the sport.
I am currently watching the U23 Belgian national championship race, and part of me feels embarrassed to watch super fit athletes slip around and crash in a mud-pile while carrying their bikes. The spectacle seems silly, and I kinda feel bad for the eventual winner, who will be crowned best guy to ride and walk your bike through a pit of mud.
There is also the sheer determination part of this spectacle that is kind of compelling. I mean, it takes a lot of strength and willpower to fall face first in a pile of mud and get back up and act as if nothing happened.
Im starting to think the sport kinda sucks.
Who would think it s a good idea to ride your bike on a beach (qm)

The parcours for the Belgian national championship was abit silly tho.

The parcours was fine. Only the condition made it somewhat silly. It was about the same at Namur. But this is what cyclo cross is all about: they ride with the weather they are given. Cold, snowy and sunny races are wonderful to watch, but then you could say: who would think it is a good idea to ride your bike on ice? Anyway, I love the sport. But then again, I'm a Belgian.

 

[IndianCyclist]

Re:

What a race in Kruibeke for the men elite title!

Toon Aerts totally crushed Van Aert in the last two laps, both physically and mentally, with his recovery and almost straight attack.

Totally deserved jersey for him after a year with two World Cups, the Koppenberg and the Druivencross.

One time it looked as if WvA would run away with it, but a couple of mistakes and a superb comeback by Aerts. MVdP looks favorite for the worlds

 

[tobydawq]

That was a race! Just imagine how this sport would be with no van der Poel.

 

[glassmoon]

Congrats to Vos also. Hope the lady carried away on the stretcher will be OK soon - nasty crash.

 

[avanti]

Re:

Congrats to Vos also. Hope the lady carried away on the stretcher will be OK soon - nasty crash.

+1
Those wooden poles used as fence supports looked dangerous (the lady mentioned above apparently crashed into one). Fence posts should be flexible.

 

[glassmoon]

Re: Re:

Congrats to Vos also. Hope the lady carried away on the stretcher will be OK soon - nasty crash.

+1
Those wooden poles used as fence supports looked dangerous (the lady mentioned above apparently crashed into one). Fence posts should be flexible.

Looks like it was Lucia Gonzales Blanco and fortunately she's more or less OK:
http://nesta.cc/lucia-pont-chateau/

 

[jaylew]

Best men's World Cup in a while. Watching Aerts, Van Aert, and Vanthourenhout race each other behind MVP has been pretty interesting this year so having it be for the win this time was fun to see. Women's was also good but then the women's races almost always deliver. Dutch women had 8 of the top 12 and Brand wasn't even there. Their squad for Worlds will be insane. I assume Alvarado will race U23s and the team will be:

Vos
Brand
Betsema
Worst
Kaptheijns
De Boer

I'd be really surprised if they don't win the WC this year.

 

[glassmoon]

Re:

Best men's World Cup in a while. Watching Aerts, Van Aert, and Vanthourenhout race each other behind MVP has been pretty interesting this year so having it be for the win this time was fun to see. Women's was also good but then the women's races almost always deliver. Dutch women had 8 of the top 12 and Brand wasn't even there. Their squad for Worlds will be insane. I assume Alvarado will race U23s and the team will be:

Vos
Brand
Betsema
Worst
Kaptheijns
De Boer

I'd be really surprised if they don't win the WC this year.

The course could be a factor. If it's muddy and technical Jolanda could be a podium contender definitely (provided she can move up to front soon after the start - which we know she can )

 

[jaylew]

She said that the course is flat and fast and that it doesn't suit her but I agree with you - her biggest issue will be her start position.

 

[Flamin]

I can't see anyone beating Brand tbh.

 

[glassmoon]

Re:

She said that the course is flat and fast and that it doesn't suit her but I agree with you - her biggest issue will be her start position.

Well... that's not good for her then. She has a technical skills edge but on dry, flat and fast course she can't be considered a favourite imho. Still could be a "dark horse" if the start'll go extremely well for her.

 

[the delgados]

Hey everyone, guess what!
MVDP did not win today s cyclo-cross race. No doubt it had something to do with him not entering the race. He just gave them a huge head start.

I know i am learning a lot about the sport, because I now know how to spell Vanthourenhout.
Also, poor third place finisher was wearing a jersey bearing the race winners name. Talk about throwing salt into the wound.

 

[Ricco']

Re: Re:

She said that the course is flat and fast and that it doesn't suit her but I agree with you - her biggest issue will be her start position.

Well... that's not good for her then. She has a technical skills edge but on dry, flat and fast course she can't be considered a favourite imho. Still could be a "dark horse" if the start'll go extremely well for her.

From the weather forecast next week should be snowing and with a lot of cold in Bogense.

I don't think that the race will be as fast as last year, in mid october without snow and mud. I think Jolanda has her chances with a course like that.

 

[davebqvst]

Last world cup race today, at Hoogerheide. MVDP is on the start list, so not sure the win is up for grabs for anyone else, but there should be a nice battle for the overall classification between WVA and Toon Aerts, with Wout leading by 3 points ahead of the race.

But the more interesting race should be the women's as usual (even though Vos already sealed up the overall here), and it starts in 10 minutes (1.30CET).

 

[Ricco']

Overall World Cup for Toon Aerts! Hooray!! What a season!

Last race victory for Van der Poel.

 

[Flamin]

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

 

[the delgados]

Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.
Does that mean the Euro champion doesnt hold as much weight (qm). The jerseys look good.
Do you think he is going to be feeling great lining up against MVDP next week (qm) I am not being sarcastic here. I am genuinly curious to know if you think that aside from a mechaniical failure you think Toon or anyone else feels confident that they can take the top prize.
I am guessing they will feel defeated the second they see him on the front row.

 

[davebqvst]

Re: Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.

I was wondering whether 2nd biggest prize is the World Cup win and 3rd the Belgian championships (or vice versa)

Surprisingly exciting race today with MVDP taking a while to get going. Looking forward to the World Champs now. How crazy would it be if MVDP were denied another world's win but this time by another Belgian? Aerts seems to be in great form right now.

 

[tobydawq]

Re: Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.
Does that mean the Euro champion doesnt hold as much weight (qm). The jerseys look good.
Do you think he is going to be feeling great lining up against MVDP next week (qm) I am not being sarcastic here. I am genuinly curious to know if you think that aside from a mechaniical failure you think Toon or anyone else feels confident that they can take the top prize.
I am guessing they will feel defeated the second they see him on the front row.

The last two years the season has been going exactly like this one. And in both instances, MvdP didn't win.

 

[the delgados]

Re: Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.
Does that mean the Euro champion doesnt hold as much weight (qm). The jerseys look good.
Do you think he is going to be feeling great lining up against MVDP next week (qm) I am not being sarcastic here. I am genuinly curious to know if you think that aside from a mechaniical failure you think Toon or anyone else feels confident that they can take the top prize.
I am guessing they will feel defeated the second they see him on the front row.

The last two years the season has been going exactly like this one. And in both instances, MvdP didn't win.

Good point. After doing a bit of research into this sport I am becoming fascinated by, MVDP punctured four times in 2017 and was outclassed by Wout on WC day 2018. I think Wout won by a huge margain after being decimated by MVDP during the season leading up to the big race.
Maybe MVDP had quote heavy legs.

I hope he manages to win this time. It would be a shame if MVDP had nothing to take home from his labours other than winning every bike race he entered.

 

[jaylew]

Re: Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.
Does that mean the Euro champion doesnt hold as much weight (qm). The jerseys look good.
Do you think he is going to be feeling great lining up against MVDP next week (qm) I am not being sarcastic here. I am genuinly curious to know if you think that aside from a mechaniical failure you think Toon or anyone else feels confident that they can take the top prize.
I am guessing they will feel defeated the second they see him on the front row.

The last two years the season has been going exactly like this one. And in both instances, MvdP didn't win.

I wouldn''t say just like this one. His dominance this year is on another level from even the last two dominant seasons.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

It wouldn't be the biggest surprise if the stars align, and Wout has a mega day, and Mathieu has his brothers legs.....which would be a shame because you want the season's best rider to win the World Championship. I really think the top 3 are virtually 'nailed on'.
Saying that, maybe he's already getting over his heavy legs after a training camp - I thought he was having a 'bad day' for a short while yesterday, but recovered, and in the end was going away at the final. He even said that in the post race interview.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

Huge year for Aerts. Starting the year as the third best crosser, well behind the two giants, and now already the 2nd and 3rd biggest prize in CX in the bag. Everything coming at him is just a big bonus from now, no pressure at all, which has to be a great feeling.

By second and third I am assuming the national champ and World Cup winner. Good for him.
Does that mean the Euro champion doesnt hold as much weight (qm). The jerseys look good.

Yes and yes. Euros not only has zero history but also is kind of a joke when the sport is basically centred around two countries. And it's total overkill in an already heavily stacked calender.

Do you think he is going to be feeling great lining up against MVDP next week (qm) I am not being sarcastic here. I am genuinly curious to know if you think that aside from a mechaniical failure you think Toon or anyone else feels confident that they can take the top prize.
I am guessing they will feel defeated the second they see him on the front row.

Sure. There's only one guy who HAS to win, and it's not Aerts or Van Aert. The pressure is on him.

Aerts' season is already a huge success so from the 3 guys who can potentially win the Worlds, he has the least weight on his shoulders. Mentally he's in pole position by some margin. Add to that he dropped Mathieu yesterday in the first half of the race and eventually lost by a mere 13 seconds (you know, instead of getting annihilated from the get go), that should give another mental boost. Obviously Mathieu came back from a training camp and was outstanding again once he found his legs, but you have to focus on those little things/weaknesses and believe Mathieu is beatable.

Van Aert also had a tough training week in Spain so I'm sure he will perform better next week than yesterday. Still, his shape isn't the same as last year and I don't think he has the believe he can win (unlike last year), hence the pressure might also be a bit lower. He knows his chances are minimal, and importantly, he knows he's going to get another shot to 'save' his season on the road.

Last year I placed a bet on Wout to win the Worlds, but I won't be betting against Mathieu this year. I just can't see it happening.