Race Thread

[Logic-is-your-friend]

But also in general his technique seems to have worsened. Which is not strange after 2 seasons doing primarily road and skipping a season of CX (due to injury). He doesn't get the free 1 second every corner he used to get.

It's possible, but i'll reserve judgement until he's in top form physically. I think he's physically been a step below Van Aert the past few weeks, so that means he himself is under more pressure and physically on the limit, which also quite possibly keeps him from riding those ideal lines.

 

[Lequack]

Some history.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1610673537747935233

View: https://twitter.com/JezCox/status/1610673537747935233


(1 Mar 1973) Amateur and professional World Cyclo Cross Championships held at Crystal Palace. In the Amateur Class, winner was Klaus Thaler (W Germany) and in the Professional Class, Eric de Blaeminck (Belgium).

View: https://youtu.be/51ateuze4Nc

 

[senna6541]

It's possible, but i'll reserve judgement until he's in top form physically. I think he's physically been a step below Van Aert the past few weeks, so that means he himself is under more pressure and physically on the limit, which also quite possibly keeps him from riding those ideal lines.

I agree that Wout has put him completely on the limit - and obviously that can increase the chances of mistakes like at Zolder and Loenhout by some %. Maybe what is normally 90% decreases to 60%. But if he executes in both of those races he wins - Wout was clearly under massive pressure on both last laps. You could say that this CX is so far a huge win for both of them. Wout finally is back on level with MVDP in CX, and MVDP seems finally to be fully healthy physically based on him being able to keep slugging it out over the past few weeks. The torque on the body (and specifically the back) has to be massive with no suspension and 33m tires on these courses. Given the intensity of these races, it will be interesting to see how both of them do on the road this spring. Hopefully they aren't just burying each other.

 

[Barkintheeye]

But also in general his technique seems to have worsened. Which is not strange after 2 seasons doing primarily road and skipping a season of CX (due to injury). He doesn't get the free 1 second every corner he used to get.

…or could it be that they - both Van der Poel and Van Aert - are going faster this year?

Both seem to be near their all-time physical peak and able to put out immense power. Saying goes that every course has its speed limit and may it just be that they are on it?

 

[stonerider]

…or could it be that they - both Van der Poel and Van Aert - are going faster this year?

Both seem to be near their all-time physical peak and able to put out immense power. Saying goes that every course has its speed limit and may it just be that they are on it?

They are both at the age (28) of when most male athletes reach their lifetime physical peak. Now is the time for them to capitalize on that and win some (more) monuments in the spring classics. It's a shame that Wout hasn't won Flanders or Paris Roubaix yet due to circumstances and/or illness. I hope JV manage him well this spring and don't over-race him before the big races.

 

[Lequack]

So Pidcock will just do one more race this season?

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

So Pidcock will just do one more race this season?

it's on his schedule although with the injury it's probably now in doubt. the only saving grace is that its in benidorm, so relatively close to the training camp with ineos on mallorca? (i presume it's there) so just a short ferry across.

 

[pmcg76]

Good win for Van Anrooij leading from the front, think Vam Empel lost it with a poor first lap letting the gap open. Gap was pretty much steady rest of the race.

At this stage I think Brand, Alvarado and even Vos are close or at their best, its just the young guns have moved the level on a bit. Sanne Cant seems to have improved a bit again, best two races in a long time for her, but Betsema seems to be going the opposite direction even though she was unlucky in Loenhout.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

But also in general his technique seems to have worsened. Which is not strange after 2 seasons doing primarily road and skipping a season of CX (due to injury). He doesn't get the free 1 second every corner he used to get.

Even riders like him have to keep their skills & technique sharp. They soon disappear if not practised regularly....Whenever he returns to CX, or MTB after a break he is rusty....We saw that in Hulst when the form seemed pretty good, he made quite a few mistakes. Since then, he hasn't quite been on it....

 

[Strawberry_Jams]

the sandman!

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Not necessarily a Sweeck fan (nothing against the guy either) but it would be awesome if he could pull that off.

the sandman!

A Metallica fan would take this opportunity. Luckily i'm not.

 

[theyoungest]

Good win for Van Anrooij leading from the front, think Vam Empel lost it with a poor first lap letting the gap open. Gap was pretty much steady rest of the race.

At this stage I think Brand, Alvarado and even Vos are close or at their best, its just the young guns have moved the level on a bit. Sanne Cant seems to have improved a bit again, best two races in a long time for her, but Betsema seems to be going the opposite direction even though she was unlucky in Loenhout.

In the post race interview Van Empel said her knee felt far from okay, after hitting it during the course recon (same knee she hurt in Val di Sole). Her start in Zonhoven this Sunday isn't certain. I don't really understand why she raced today, someone should have told her not to.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Game over?

 

[DNP-Old]

A masterclass from the grandmaster.

 

[theyoungest]

Wow Van Aert, he's just unbelievably strong this cross season.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Wow Van Aert, he's just unbelievably strong this cross season.

I keep wondering why Mathieu currently thinks it's in his best interest to keep making the race hard early on. Imho, it's just as stupid as Wout playing the slow sprint start game at RVV 2020. Playing into the hand of your opponent.

 

[jono]

Wow Van Aert, he's just unbelievably strong this cross season.

Just has way more watts than anyone else.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

44 seconds, let's switch to Van der Haar vs Iserbyt to keep things interesting.

 

[theyoungest]

Just has way more watts than anyone else.

And to think he rides with SRAM... with Shimano he would have been 2 minutes ahead already

 

[DNP-Old]

I keep wondering why Mathieu currently thinks it's in his best interest to keep making the race hard early on. Imho, it's just as stupid as Wout playing the slow sprint start game at RVV 2020. Playing into the hand of your opponent.

Aard van het beestje, and with basically 28 years of age he's unlikely to ever change. This is maybe where his ultramythical talent works against him. For so long he could do whatever he wanted and get away with it, but not against this Wout.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Uh-oh. Let's hope that back doesn't pose issues for the next few months.

 

[jono]

Uh-oh. Let's hope that back doesn't pose issues for the next few months.

If there's even a hint of discomfort he should abandon. Nothing to gain from finishing 2nd here.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

It's comical watching Van der Haar and Iserbyt jump back onto the bike after a running section. Their height is definitely the reason, but when the big boys jump back into the saddle, it's one smooth motion, and their right leg goes straight towards the crank/pedal to immediately click their foot into it. Whereas both Iserbyt and Van der Haar have their legs dangle first after jumping in the saddle. It's funny when you notice it.

 

[Bolder]

If there's even a hint of discomfort he should abandon. Nothing to gain from finishing 2nd here.

Yeah, he's looking uncomfortable. Thinking the sand isn't helping.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Van Aert should get a time penalty for using the barrier to get round that bend on every lap.