Race Thread

[Hugh Januss]

I was right.

Really went out on a limb there!

 

[Ulfhednar]

I understand the sentiment, but Benidorm is not a course where I'd expect MVDP to dominate or even finish on a gap. In his 2 appearances he has won in a 2 up sprint and finished 5th.

This didn't age well...

 

[CXXC]

Predictable results from Benidorm, at least MVDP is class wheelying over the line, doubt I will ever see similar from Brand. If so would I be even be a tad happy to see her win?

 

[jono]

This didn't age well...

In the end, a very strange race. Nys appeared strong enough to ride with MVDP, but he didn't push in the first lap and the whole field except van der Poel seemed to take it easy in laps 2-4, based on how big the group became at times.

 

[LookProGoSlow]

isn't it a bit sad? I mean, I know the sport needs stars to reach the big public, but dear me, after 1 lap he was gone. it says a lot about the reach of cyclocross. obvs the Spanish race owners loved to have VDP at the start. and the camera staying on him after the finish while Nys and Orts are crossing the line. IT SUCKS. thank god they showed the last 4 seconds of Nys and Orts crossing the line. madness. I don't know, it's a bittersweet feeling.
ok now Spain has Orts, and GB holds hopes in Mason. but looking it from another angle, CX could survive without stars and keep being strong in BEL-NED.
I hate VDP but it would be good for him to race a whole season of MTB World Cups. that discipline needs visibility and sponsor like mad. it needs clicks and marketing EXPERTS not those brainrot and brainless web marketing people.
so for the sake of XCO it would be good marketing to have VDP there, and him leave cyclocross alone

How can you hate a bike rider?

 

[jono]

isn't it a bit sad? I mean, I know the sport needs stars to reach the big public, but dear me, after 1 lap he was gone. it says a lot about the reach of cyclocross. obvs the Spanish race owners loved to have VDP at the start. and the camera staying on him after the finish while Nys and Orts are crossing the line. IT SUCKS. thank god they showed the last 4 seconds of Nys and Orts crossing the line. madness. I don't know, it's a bittersweet feeling.
ok now Spain has Orts, and GB holds hopes in Mason. but looking it from another angle, CX could survive without stars and keep being strong in BEL-NED.
I hate VDP but it would be good for him to race a whole season of MTB World Cups. that discipline needs visibility and sponsor like mad. it needs clicks and marketing EXPERTS not those brainrot and brainless web marketing people.
so for the sake of XCO it would be good marketing to have VDP there, and him leave cyclocross alone

Do you really believe that MTB XCO is in a worse place as a sport than CX?

 

[awavey]

Crazy that they didn't bother to rake the sand pit between races.

I was actually thinking they should do it every lap

 

[jono]

I was actually thinking they should do it every lap

I was going to say the same, but could get tricky late in races when the field is more spread out!

 

[Hugh Januss]

I was going to say the same, but could get tricky late in races when the field is more spread out!

Also it's patently against the rules.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Watched the womwn's race. Good race.

Didn't watch the men's race, went back to sleep. Good choice.

 

[Axel Hangleck]

isn't it a bit sad? I mean, I know the sport needs stars to reach the big public, but dear me, after 1 lap he was gone. it says a lot about the reach of cyclocross. obvs the Spanish race owners loved to have VDP at the start. and the camera staying on him after the finish while Nys and Orts are crossing the line. IT SUCKS. thank god they showed the last 4 seconds of Nys and Orts crossing the line. madness. I don't know, it's a bittersweet feeling.
ok now Spain has Orts, and GB holds hopes in Mason. but looking it from another angle, CX could survive without stars and keep being strong in BEL-NED.
I hate VDP but it would be good for him to race a whole season of MTB World Cups. that discipline needs visibility and sponsor like mad. it needs clicks and marketing EXPERTS not those brainrot and brainless web marketing people.
so for the sake of XCO it would be good marketing to have VDP there, and him leave cyclocross alone

To be fair, XCO has issues, but is a global and an Olympic sport; look at the World Cup Top 10/ Overall Top 10.........current World champions from South Africa/ Sweden, Overall winners from NZ/ USA.........Never going to happen in CX.

MTB as a whole (not just XCO) suffers from ignorance from the road biased cycling media - and as a result gets very little coverage. Just look on here or Wielerflits, for example............whereas CX benefits from it's road background, and the road off-season, so gets more coverage; and can make you think it's bigger than it is.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Also it's patently against the rules.

It would very much penalise the riders at the front. But could they have raked it between races?

I guess the only conclusion is that not all sandpits are equal in their influence. Just like not all grassy banks, off camber traverse, or any other feature from one course to another aren't equal (and a thread on the best and worst features is one I've been thinking of starting for ages)

 

[pastronef]

How can you hate a bike rider?

ok, no hate, let's say I dislike his CX dominance

 

[pastronef]

To be fair, XCO has issues, but is a global and an Olympic sport; look at the World Cup Top 10/ Overall Top 10.........current World champions from South Africa/ Sweden, Overall winners from NZ/ USA.........Never going to happen in CX.

MTB as a whole (not just XCO) suffers from ignorance from the road biased cycling media - and as a result gets very little coverage. Just look on here or Wielerflits, for example............whereas CX benefits from it's road background, and the road off-season, so gets more coverage; and can make you think it's bigger than it is.

what I mean is CX in its cradle BEL-NED, so that means where the racing that matters happens, is safe and secure. thousands of people on the ticketed circuits, good tv views, sponsors, etc
XCO is way more international, yes, and it0s great, but it costs way much for the sponsors and teams, and I believe it's a wonder that the brands still splash the cash. in 10 years CX will still be going strong, XCO I don't know, will it still be profitable?

 

[pastronef]

Do you really believe that MTB XCO is in a worse place as a sport than CX?

not now. let's see in the long run.

 

[pastronef]

I've read on Weightweenies forum that the Ridley Racing team is folding?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I've read on Weightweenies forum that the Ridley Racing team is folding?

There has been talk of them merging with Pauwel Sauzen for some time: commentators have mentioned it and it was posted in this at the turn of the year.

 

[pastronef]

There has been talk of them merging with Pauwel Sauzen for some time: commentators have mentioned it and it was posted in this at the turn of the year.

thanks. I searched other news and Nieuwenhuis won't join Pauwels, he'll get his personal team/sponsors

 

[Axel Hangleck]

In 10 years CX will still be going strong, XCO I don't know, will it still be profitable?

CX will be fine in Belgium - elsewhere it will remain as it is; unless the man from the IOC says yes. XCO will be okay, look how many manufacturers are involved.......
MTB is constantly evolving, and progressing new tech, which is what bike & component manufacturers want. CX is stuck with 33mm tyres and what else? Tubs.....yesterdays tech.....

 

[Axel Hangleck]

I've read on Weightweenies forum that the Ridley Racing team is folding?

Weightweenies? A forum full of wannabe pro idiots who spend more money and showing off their bikes than actually riding them..........A bunch of clueless prats.....

 

[pastronef]

Weightweenies? A forum full of wannabe pro idiots who spend more money and showing off their bikes than actually riding them..........A bunch of clueless prats.....

tbf I just read the pro racing thread on there