Race Thread

[jono]

Wielerflits reports he is staying in Europe for rest of season hoping to get a contract. I hope it works out, but contracts for non Dutch/Belgians are hard to come by.

There are some lesser American riders (Kaya Musgrave, Luke Walter) racing on a small German team.

 

[theyoungest]

I love the ambition, but he's not going to get one; they look after their own....It's hard enough for French, Italian, Czech riders.....Look at Zemanova.....if she was Dutch/Belgian she'd surely be on a major team.

The obvious reason is convenience. In terms of distance, paperwork, language, etc. it's just way easier to sign a Dutchman than an American. In terms of exposure it would probably be preferable to sign an American, who would no doubt get a lot more media attention both in Flanders and abroad than, say, Joris Nieuwenhuis.

 

[jono]

The obvious reason is convenience. In terms of distance, paperwork, language, etc. it's just way easier to sign a Dutchman than an American. In terms of exposure it would probably be preferable to sign an American, who would no doubt get a lot more media attention both in Flanders and abroad than, say, Joris Nieuwenhuis.

It's important to note that nearly all the crossers on the Belgian teams are also racing a road schedule (sometimes as many or more race days as they race cross) and the convenience of being the such a team for the 'cross season may be outweighed by the negative of a calendar for the rest of the season that doesn't align with their goals.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Wielerflits reports he is staying in Europe for rest of season hoping to get a contract. I hope it works out, but contracts for non Dutch/Belgians are hard to come by.

Maybe 777?

 

[logeardaddy]

Wielerflits reports he is staying in Europe for rest of season hoping to get a contract. I hope it works out, but contracts for non Dutch/Belgians are hard to come by.

Don't the Sauces have an open slot?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

MVdP schedule:

Mathieu van der Poel reveals cyclocross schedule, starting as soon as two weeks' time

World champion confirms 13-race calendar building up to attempt at record-breaking eighth rainbow jersey in elite men's race

www.cyclingnews.com

• December 14 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Namur (TBC)
• December 20 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Antwerp
• December 21 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Koksijde
• December 22 – X2O Trofee, Hofstade
• December 26 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Gavere
• December 29 – X2O Trofee, Loenhout
• January 1 – X2O Trofee, Baal
• January 2 – Exact Cross, Mol
• January 4 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Zonhoven
• January 18 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Benidorm
• January 24 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Maasmechelen
• January 25 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Hoogerheide
• February 1 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, Hulst

 

[JR1012]

MVdP schedule:

Mathieu van der Poel reveals cyclocross schedule, starting as soon as two weeks' time

World champion confirms 13-race calendar building up to attempt at record-breaking eighth rainbow jersey in elite men's race

www.cyclingnews.com

• December 14 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Namur (TBC)
• December 20 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Antwerp
• December 21 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Koksijde
• December 22 – X2O Trofee, Hofstade
• December 26 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Gavere
• December 29 – X2O Trofee, Loenhout
• January 1 – X2O Trofee, Baal
• January 2 – Exact Cross, Mol
• January 4 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Zonhoven
• January 18 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Benidorm
• January 24 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Maasmechelen
• January 25 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, Hoogerheide
• February 1 – UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, Hulst

With this schedule, he can easily win the overall world cup.

 

[RedheadDane]

Very silly question.
What would happen if someone overshoots the corner just before the pit in Flamanville, and accidentally goes into the pit?
The rules state they if a rider enters the pit, they have to do... something.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Today was finally the day for Van Alphen. She should allegedly avoid celebrating with a steak made from local cattle.

 

[pastronef]

Nys saying courses in Belgium are bad. here in France he says "no bull***t" corners etc etc

 

[RedheadDane]

Wait... so Kamp is riding in the olive green version of the Deceuninck kit, but he doesn't ride for Deceuninck, but is sponsored by the Roodhoofts brothers?
That's confusing.

 

[Sciatic]

Was good to see Van Anrooij and Alvarado back racing. Also amazing (to me) how many fewer spectators there were here compared to the Belgian races.

 

[pastronef]

GREAT ride for Cameron Mason. first world cup podium. the kid is flying that British champ jersey and I'm very happy

 

[Axel Hangleck]

As ever with British CX, what is after him? There isn't loads of talent following him...and for the British women take Zoe out, and the rest are nowhere.......

 

[Wyndbrook]

Today was finally the day for Van Alphen. She should allegedly avoid celebrating with a steak made from local cattle.

I believe she's a burger girl, so she most likely.

 

[jono]

WVA race calendar:

20/12 WC Antwerpen
22/12 X2O Hofstade
23/12 SP Heusden-Zolder
28/12 WC Dendermonde
29/12 X2O Loenhout
02/01 Exact Cross Mol
04/01 WC Zonhoven
11/01 Belgian Nationals

5 head-to-heads with MVDP: Antwerpen, Hofstade, Loenhout, Mol, Zonhoven.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

As ever with British CX, what is after him? There isn't loads of talent following him...and for the British women take Zoe out, and the rest are nowhere.......

That's not British CX, that's any country other than Belgium and Netherlands.
Who is following Orts, Kuhn, Boros, Strohmeyer or Konwa? Where is French, Italian or German CX at all* ?

The second GB rider (Mein) is higher UCI ranked than the second from any country other than Belgium and Netherlands, but if he were Belgian/Dutch with the same results, he would be ranked 11th/6th nationally.

There is maybe a bit more strength in depth in the women's ranks, but the best second highest of any nation other than Dutch is Brouwers, but she has 8 Dutch above her.

* in elites, plenty of younger riders
(positions from First Cycling reporting of UCI standings)

 

[Sciatic]

That's not British CX, that's any country other than Belgium and Netherlands.
Who is following Orts, Kuhn, Boros, Strohmeyer or Konwa? Where is French, Italian or German CX at all* ?

The second GB rider (Mein) is higher UCI ranked than the second from any country other than Belgium and Netherlands, but if he were Belgian/Dutch with the same results, he would be ranked 11th/6th nationally.

There is maybe a bit more strength in depth in the women's ranks, but the best second highest of any nation other than Dutch is Brouwers, but she has 8 Dutch above her.

* in elites, plenty of younger riders
(positions from First Cycling reporting of UCI standings)

I understand your overall point, but will mention that French women finished 2nd, 8th, 14th, and 16th yesterday.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

WVA race calendar:

20/12 WC Antwerpen
22/12 X2O Hofstade
23/12 SP Heusden-Zolder
28/12 WC Dendermonde
29/12 X2O Loenhout
02/01 Exact Cross Mol
04/01 WC Zonhoven
11/01 Belgian Nationals

5 head-to-heads with MVDP: Antwerpen, Hofstade, Loenhout, Mol, Zonhoven.

Neither doing Diegem

 

[Wyndbrook]

Starting to get info on riders not going to Sardinia.
Nys, van der Haar, Mason and van Heijden have stated they are not riding.
Brand is, but no news on van Empel, not listed in Dutch selection.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

One has to feel for World Cup organisers, especially the non 'local' events. Loads of non travellers.......Saying that, having an event on Sardinia always seemed strange. What about the north of Italy, or Italian Alps......

 

[jono]

Nys skipping Terralba makes MVDP the favourite to win the WC overall, if he wasn't already.

 

[awavey]

As ever with British CX, what is after him? There isn't loads of talent following him...and for the British women take Zoe out, and the rest are nowhere.......

I'm sure the riders & talent are still there, but...the CX scene (as with alot of British cycling race formats) is barely functioning in the UK anymore. I'm not even seeing the local leagues post their races/updates, let alone the national series anymore. And BC wonder why they're membership rates are tanking.

 

[awavey]

That's not British CX, that's any country other than Belgium and Netherlands.
Who is following Orts, Kuhn, Boros, Strohmeyer or Konwa? Where is French, Italian or German CX at all* ?

The second GB rider (Mein) is higher UCI ranked than the second from any country other than Belgium and Netherlands, but if he were Belgian/Dutch with the same results, he would be ranked 11th/6th nationally.

There is maybe a bit more strength in depth in the women's ranks, but the best second highest of any nation other than Dutch is Brouwers, but she has 8 Dutch above her.

* in elites, plenty of younger riders
(positions from First Cycling reporting of UCI standings)

British CX was a thing though, maybe still not as big as Belgium or the Netherlands, but the local leagues were big, the national series were considered important, riders would travel around the UK to race in them and winning it was considered good for pro racing career moves forward, the national championships even briefly occasionally had live tv coverage. All of that is gone now. BC didnt even send the national champion to the CX world's last year

And BC haven't even updated their CX national champions page since 2024.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

British CX was a thing though, maybe still not as big as Belgium or the Netherlands, but the local leagues were big, the national series were considered important, riders would travel around the UK to race in them and winning it was considered good for pro racing career moves forward, the national championships even briefly occasionally had live tv coverage. All of that is gone now. BC didnt even send the national champion to the CX world's last year

And BC haven't even updated their CX national champions page since 2024.

If Pidcock were still riding cx, you'd have a top level, and regular contended for at least strong top ten placing, and a solid top 30 guy: is that historically poor? Has there frequently been more than 2 British riders in the top 25 of the rankings? (genuine questions: I've really only got into cyclocross in the last 6 years or so)