Race Thread

[Samu Cuenca]

Why is he not jumping the jumps?

To honour Lars van der Haar in his last WC?

I haven't seen him pop his shoulder back into place either. Del Grosso's back is acting up though.

 

[KZD]

8th world title for Van der Poel, now he is the undisputed CX GOAT.

Very interesting fight for second, Del Grosso suffered but then in the last lap Nys made another mistake in the steep climb and Del Grosso got a gap to finish second in his debut elite WC.

Great race from Fontana finishing fifth beaten on the line by Niewenhuis for fourth.

 

[jono]

Some saying that Nys wasn't on mud tires so the rain in the last two laps derailed him a little bit.

 

[Hugh Januss]

8th world title for Van der Poel, now he is the undisputed CX GOAT.

Very interesting fight for second, Del Grosso suffered but then in the last lap Nys made another mistake in the steep climb and Del Grosso got a gap to finish second in his debut elite WC.

Great race from Fontana finishing fifth beaten on the line by Niewenhuis for fourth.

Del Grosso just looks smoother than Nys, he never looks like he's trying to go fast. Nys on the other hand always looks like he's in a hurry to get to his next crash.

 

[theyoungest]

Some saying that Nys wasn't on mud tires so the rain in the last two laps derailed him a little bit.

Sven Nys was saying live on tv that Thibau was planning to change tires in the final lap. Obviously didn't do it.

But what won Tibor the silver medal was the fact that he was the best on that climb, he's been the best on it all weekend. Even better than Mathieu.

 

[theyoungest]

Del Grosso just looks smoother than Nys, he never looks like he's trying to go fast. Nys on the other hand always looks like he's in a hurry to get to his next crash.

It's really clear how Del Grosso always keeps a huge gap when he's following Nys, whereas Nys is safe to ride on Del Grosso's wheel because the latter hardly makes any mistakes. Which in a way is an advantage for Nys.

 

[Bolder]

Sven Nys was saying live on tv that Thibau was planning to change tires in the final lap. Obviously didn't do it.

But what won Tibor the silver medal was the fact that he was the best on that climb, he's been the best on it all weekend. Even better than Mathieu.

Yep, he's lighter than Nys and Vdp, too so he's great on steep stuff. Nys makes way too many mistakes. Del Grosso looked like he was done but nys let him back in.

 

[jono]

Certainly doesn't sound like MVDP has closed the door on cyclocross quite yet:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017998607975076243

View: https://x.com/cyclocross24/status/2017998607975076243

 

[Sciatic]

That was clearly the best race so far. Won by a 16-year-old.

Hopefully the course won't dry out too much before the men's race. This is what this course needs: a bit of mud, a bit of sliding in each corner, the descents a bit more tricky. Then it becomes a really great course.

From a neophyte's perspective, I thought the course (from a viewing perspective) was pretty one-dimensional. The things that are often the difference makers on many courses--longer running sections, actual climbing (I'm not including humping up those two ramps), off-camber sidehills, sand. Not that any of these would change the overall winner in the elite races. Of course, other cross World's courses have dominated by one element (e.g., sand), and road World's can also be one-dimensional.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

Yep, he's lighter than Nys and Vdp, too so he's great on steep stuff. Nys makes way too many mistakes. Del Grosso looked like he was done but nys let him back in.

Del Grosso is definitively heavier than Nys, an probably than MvdP too. He is about the same size as WVA. What made the two Dutch better on that climb was more seated power.

 

[jono]

Del Grosso is definitively heavier than Nys, an probably than MvdP too. He is about the same size as WVA. What made the two Dutch better on that climb was more seated power.

I don't think online sources for this are to be entirely trusted, but I found Nys at 64kg, del Grosso at 70kg, and van der Poel at 75kg. Del Grosso is the same height as van Aert, but significantly lighter and visibly the skinniest rider (legs and torso) on the podium today. Agreed about seated power. Also gear selection.

From a neophyte's perspective, I thought the course (from a viewing perspective) was pretty one-dimensional. The things that are often the difference makers on many courses--longer running sections, actual climbing (I'm not including humping up those two ramps), off-camber sidehills, sand. Not that any of these would change the overall winner in the elite races. Of course, other cross World's courses have dominated by one element (e.g., sand), and road World's can also be one-dimensional.

Oostende was a sand fest, Fayetteville had a gimmicky long stair climb, but otherwise most of the worlds courses of the last decade had no defining technical feature, notable climbing, or significant running.

I think the usual Hulst course is better, but this one was surely more interesting (and better designed for the on-site spectators) than Lievin or Tabor, the last two hosts.

 

[Sciatic]

Oostende was a sand fest, Fayetteville had a gimmicky long stair climb, but otherwise most of the worlds courses of the last decade had no defining technical feature, notable climbing, or significant running.

I think the usual Hulst course is better, but this one was surely more interesting (and better designed for the on-site spectators) than Lievin or Tabor, the last two hosts.

Thanks, it's helpful to get that perspective. Definitely would be a great course to watch in person!

 

[Barkintheeye]

Del Grosso just looks smoother than Nys, he never looks like he's trying to go fast. Nys on the other hand always looks like he's in a hurry to get to his next crash.

That's a bit tough on one of the most talented kids on a bike of his generation but it's slowly becoming a truth that on key sections Del Grosso has the upper hand on Nys, just like MVDP always had on WVA.

 

[jmdirt]

MvdP!

 

[jmdirt]

From a neophyte's perspective, I thought the course (from a viewing perspective) was pretty one-dimensional. The things that are often the difference makers on many courses--longer running sections, actual climbing (I'm not including humping up those two ramps), off-camber sidehills, sand. Not that any of these would change the overall winner in the elite races. Of course, other cross World's courses have dominated by one element (e.g., sand), and road World's can also be one-dimensional.

This is a great loop IMO.

EDIT: You SEA guys still have images of Knapp belaying up that crazy run up at SEA Tac! :

 

[Sciatic]

This is a great loop IMO.

EDIT: You SEA guys still have images of Knapp belaying up that crazy run up at SEA Tac! :

Probably true!

 

[CXXC]

Two underwhelming winners for me..........but it happens.

Double Dutch , MvdP is a real star , true class and good for CX . I'm unable to say similar for Lucinda Brand , sure she's strong but doesn't appear to be very likeable.

Over the weekend I enjoyed junior races best , TV production was great, drone shots get better and better.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Double Dutch , MvdP is a real star , true class and good for CX . I'm unable to say similar for Lucinda Brand , sure she's strong but doesn't appear to be very likeable.

Over the weekend I enjoyed junior races best , TV production was great, drone shots get better and better.

Oh dear, you really don't like Lucy do you.

 

[Hugh Januss]

it's slowly becoming a truth that on key sections Del Grosso has the upper hand on Nys, just like MVDP always had on WVA.

I had already had that exact thought.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Double Dutch , MvdP is a real star , true class and good for CX . I'm unable to say similar for Lucinda Brand , sure she's strong but doesn't appear to be very likeable.

Over the weekend I enjoyed junior races best , TV production was great, drone shots get better and better.

I like Brand more than I like Van der Poel. She may not be the most overall talented but she damn sure is the hardest worker. She prepared for a season of racing against 2024-25 Van Empel and apparently, she did it very well.

 

[Barkintheeye]

I like Brand more than I like Van der Poel. She may not be the most overall talented but she damn sure is the hardest worker. She prepared for a season of racing against 2024-25 Van Empel and apparently, she did it very well.

Amen to that. I remember a Brand some years ago that looked like an average masters racer, making all kinds of silly mistakes. She still might not be as agile and finely tuned as eg Alvarado but her improvement as a CX rider is impressive. She's the one who really elevated herself. The power was always there but now she is dialed in and very rarely makes any major mistakes. That's pure discipline and hard work and it should be appreciated!

 

[theyoungest]

Double Dutch , MvdP is a real star , true class and good for CX . I'm unable to say similar for Lucinda Brand , sure she's strong but doesn't appear to be very likeable.

Over the weekend I enjoyed junior races best , TV production was great, drone shots get better and better.

Have some respect. Lucinda Brand lost her mother this winter, who had a stroke and whom she's been caring for ever since. Still she kept pushing on like the professional she is. I think she couldn't care less whether you find her "likeable".

 

[stonerider]

I don't think online sources for this are to be entirely trusted, but I found Nys at 64kg, del Grosso at 70kg, and van der Poel at 75kg. Del Grosso is the same height as van Aert, but significantly lighter and visibly the skinniest rider (legs and torso) on the podium today. Agreed about seated power. Also gear selection.

Just looking at podium shots, del Grosso needs to hit the weight room to build some upper body strength so he can become the next MvdP. You can see the power MvdP generates when he decides to go by pulling on his bars and crushing the pedals. You need upper body strength to generate that kind of seated power.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Uniquely Lucinda Brand has been placed in the top three in nine consecutive world championships.

 

[jono]

Just looking at podium shots, del Grosso needs to hit the weight room to build some upper body strength so he can become the next MvdP. You can see the power MvdP generates when he decides to go by pulling on his bars and crushing the pedals. You need upper body strength to generate that kind of seated power.

Ultimately the type of rider del Grosso and his team want him to become on the road will determine any sort of fitness program he undertakes.