Race Thread

[ChasingPotatoes]

Wyseure without gloves for an hour…!

 

[Barkintheeye]

Wyseure riding in shorts and without gloves. Extra high metabolic rate

 

[jono]

Would have been nice to see the real battle over the final few laps. I don't get the impression that either Wout or Mathieu were pushing all that hard once he chased back on and took the lead based on changes in the gap to Aerts.

There were a few sections where Wout seemed to have a small advantage, and another 3 or 4 per lap that Mathieu clearly wanted to ride but couldn't because Wout had dismounted in front.

 

[awavey]

its tricky to judge because obviously they were both pacing themselves at that point, and there were bits where I thought Wout had blown, there were bits I thought Mathieu had blown, as he really didnt look that comfortable in the colder conditions, and would they have been able to take many risks.

it would have been great to see what both of them had left on those last few laps but not to be sadly.

and oof that crash sounds nasty at full speed.

 

[awavey]

aah no drinking of the beer

 

[Heston]

Epic race in the snow. Real ciclismo.

Sad that Wout ends up puncturing or crashing every time it looks like he can follow MVdP.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Would have been nice to see the real battle over the final few laps. I don't get the impression that either Wout or Mathieu were pushing all that hard once he chased back on and took the lead based on changes in the gap to Aerts.

There were a few sections where Wout seemed to have a small advantage, and another 3 or 4 per lap that Mathieu clearly wanted to ride but couldn't because Wout had dismounted in front.

Yeah, the really heavy sand section before the beach, Mathieu was able to use his insane torque to drive through. Wout held him up a couple of t8mes, but Mathieu would have used that to create a gap when he needed to. Wout had let him through the lap he crashed, and I expected Mathieu to make a move that lap anyway.

It was nice to seè Wout being feisty, and really disappointing to see his knee bleeding, and him limping. Im hoping the cold was contributing to the stiffness, and he will be okay. He seemed to be able to pedal better than walk.

 

[theyoungest]

Epic race in the snow. Real ciclismo.

Sad that Wout ends up puncturing or crashing every time it looks like he can follow MVdP.

This also somehow seems to happen to Thibau Nys every time... it's not a coincidence of course, they have to give their absolute maximum to even be able to challenge MVDP, forcing them into mistakes.

 

[jono]

This also somehow seems to happen to Thibau Nys every time... it's not a coincidence of course, they have to give their absolute maximum to even be able to challenge MVDP, forcing them into mistakes.

I don't think this particular error was about being on the limit, but I have noticed when Mathieu is in the wheels he leaves more of a gap so he has time to react to mistakes in front.

Would Wout have crashed even if he wasn't closely following Mathieu who slipped? Perhaps. But he didn't give himself much of a chance.

 

[jono]

So it's an ankle issue, not the knee, for Wout.

I suppose that's better?

 

[Hugh Januss]

So it's an ankle issue, not the knee, for Wout.

I suppose that's better?

Probably anything is better than damaging that knee again.
In other news only 13 riders on the lead lap by the finish. Only Michael Boros was smiling as he crossed the line, the Czech looked happy as a pig in ***.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Even I, his biggest hater, am depressed watching van aert these days.

 

[jmdirt]

Now that's a proper winter race!
MvdP!
It would have been fun to see what WvA could have done, but that's racin'!

 

[theyoungest]

Fracture in the ankle for Wout. That's the end of his cyclocross season, and possibly a big dent in his preparation for the classics.

 

[jmdirt]

Random question:
Are riders allowed to take off jackets while riding, or do they have to in pit to do so?
Is it even possible to take off your jacket while riding? Unlike in road cycling, there aren't a lot of long stretches where you are just pedaling, and even there taking off a jacket can be... complicated... as Kelderman showed us a few years ago.

I'd have to go read the UCI rule book to know for sure (not going to happen now) but I think that you can remove/add as needed/able anywhere on the course. Do they have litter zones in CX like on the road now though?

EDIT:
5.1.063 The riders undertake to respect nature and the environment throughout the course and not to pollute the site. The littering zone will be the pit area along its entire length. Waste must be deposited on the side of the course. It is strictly forbidden to throw waste directly onto the course or outside the designated area.(article introduced on 01.07.25)

5.1.038 A rider may only take the pit lane to change his bicycle, wheel(s) or for other mechanical assistance. Should a rider take the pit lane for any other reason, the commissaires shall decide and the decision shall be final.

The only thing that I could find specifically about clothing discusses what they must wear (UCI approved team or national kits).

Regulations

Rules & Official documents of the UCI

www.uci.org

 

[KZD]

Absolutely epic conditions today, respect to the riders for enduring them.

Too bad that Van Aert got hurt, hopefully he can still recover for the classics.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Mrs Wyndbrook wants to know why Matthew gets all the luck, and 'her Wout' gets none.