Race Thread

[jmdirt]

I was wondering about that watching both days of racing this weekend. I wondered if they only wear team issued clothing and that doesn't include warmer gloves? Though more likely they don't want anything thicker so as not to lose feel for bike handling. But as you point out, how helpful can that be if the riders hands and fingers are freezing?
Harking back to what I've read about the famous Giro Gavia stage that led to Hampsten's win: his team was one of the few that seemed aware of the potential conditions and that morning went out and bought all the warm gloves they could find.

Exactly, ever so slightly more feel of the lever for about half of a lap, and then much less feel for the rest of the race.

 

[jmdirt]

MvdP!
CDCA!

 

[logeardaddy]

What handlebars does T,Nys use? I've never seen any snap quite like that, almost as if they're designed to detach.

 

[Hugh Januss]

What handlebars does T,Nys use? I've never seen any snap quite like that, almost as if they're designed to detach.

Those posts are not designed to move, Ryan Trebon told me he broke an aluminum bar off on one when he was in Belgium at Worlds or World Cup.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I do wonder about those wooden posts - they're an accident waiting to happen. I'm not sure the XC/ DHI World Cup uses them........so why CX still uses them is anyone's guess.

 

[Bolder]

Tibor is one smooth rider, and love those tailwhips.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Do these riders use heated gloves? I think not, but why? There have to be ones that aren't that bulky these days.

Or at least the chemical warmer packs?

When I lived in a colder climate I found it useful to put extra layers over my wrists. Whatever the individual solution, it seems like frozen fingers are gonna be worse than any loss of dexterity due to bulk or extra weight or whatever. But I don't see anything beyond some seemingly normal looking gloves, and the riders are showing signs of being affected, so I don't think I'm imagining a problem that isn't there...

MVDP's gloves are nice and short to ensure both his watches get maximum sponsor exposure.

 

[Hugh Januss]

I do wonder about those wooden posts - they're an accident waiting to happen. I'm not sure the XC/ DHI World Cup uses them........so why CX still uses them is anyone's guess.

Well they do make the racers respect the outline of the course. When you use those little plastic step in stakes people just mow them down, nobody mows down the perimeter of a Belgie cyclocross course!

 

[jono]

Well they do make the racers respect the outline of the course. When you use those little plastic step in stakes people just mow them down, nobody mows down the perimeter of a Belgie cyclocross course!

I think the bigger issue with more flexible stakes at these Belgian 'crosses is the integrity of the course being threatened from outside the barriers, not between them.

 

[TheRossSeaParty]

On gloves. I wonder if those used in XC skiing or biathlon would work well? Especially biathlon where you need a lot of dexterity and you can't let your hands get numb. As someone who lives in an area with cold and wet winter, I find most cycling specific gloves are terrible. Either too bulky or no resistance to weather. My two favorite pairs were a set of neoprene gloves that had a small gauntlet, and a pair of insulated work gloves that I bought at a hardware store for $20. You would think with all the R&D spent on aerodynamics, etc, companies and teams would spend a little to create an actual functional winter glove.

For the racing... Tibor > Thibau.

 

[jono]

I have raced frequently at similar temperatures to this weekend's races, and xc ski and run outside at much lower temperatures. If I have the appropriate core layers on (upper and lower) and am keeping my head warm enough, I'm often taking off my gloves after a few minutes.

Most of the riders appear to be racing in non-insulated skinsuits. If they dress warmer they can probably dispense with the gloves altogether, or wear very thin gloves without issue. It seems most are ok with the trade-offs in these conditions. I doubt very much none of the cyclocross teams know what they are doing in cold weather.

 

[Sciatic]

I have raced frequently at similar temperatures to this weekend's races, and xc ski and run outside at much lower temperatures. If I have the appropriate core layers on (upper and lower) and am keeping my head warm enough, I'm often taking off my gloves after a few minutes.

Most of the riders appear to be racing in non-insulated skinsuits. If they dress warmer they can probably dispense with the gloves altogether, or wear very thin gloves without issue. It seems most are ok with the trade-offs in these conditions. I doubt very much none of the cyclocross teams know what they are doing in cold weather.

You’re probably on target about the core warmth. Certainly not all of the riders are okay with the glove situation—one rider (not sure who) was being attended to by staff just after the finish line Saturday because his hands or fingers were in so much pain.

 

[jono]

You’re probably on target about the core warmth. Certainly not all of the riders are okay with the glove situation—one rider (not sure who) was being attended to by staff just after the finish line Saturday because his hands or fingers were in so much pain.

I don't think it was a big issue in Zonhoven where it was simply cold. At the two previous races, where snow mixed with rain was falling, it is much more difficult. If the gloves aren't waterproof (and most aren't), as soon as they get wet it's nearly as bad as having no gloves at all.