Well, the CX UCI commission doesn't sit on its ass all day, that much we know. In the last few years, much has changed. They're trying to make the sport more attractive and global, and they're succeeding, mostly. The sport is flourishing and we have an international calendar, with attractive races all around the season.
But there have been some unwanted side-effects. And that's exactly what the UCI is trying to handle now. They are greatly concerned with the all-time low of classics on the calendar.
First, another matter.
Superprestige
On a comparable note, the organisation of the Superprestige also announced some "major changes" for the 2017-2018 season. Dragging the trophy out for 12 manches is, of course, a luxury. There are many cities keen on hosting a Superprestige race. However, the organisation wants to make consistency a requirement to fight for the trophy. With 12 manches you can afford to lose points left and right. They want to cut the number of races so the 15 points become increasingly important.
Currently we're in the Superprestige Rush, Superprestige Rush or whatever other name there is for it. The organisors admit their plans might involve cutting this. "A perfect amount of races for the trophy would be 8, but we're still looking at how many we can cut, realistically."
If we look at the Superprestige races, it's hard to see many of them disappear from the trophy. Races like Blaarmeersen, Lisbon, Ostrava, Ansbach and Kwaremont are forever linked to the Superprestige calendar. It's unthinkable to have a season without the traditional Superprestige weekend at the end.
Classics
And now we come back to the classics. It looks like a chunk of the calendar will free up, perfect to fill it up with some more classics. The UCI wants to bring Classics back to their former level by making them more attractive. "First of all, with more classics, the UCI points earned in them become very important. You can't skip them all. Secondly, we want to put these classics in strategic places. For example, We might be putting a classic on the Sunday before the World Championships, so it becomes an important last test for the Worlds."
It looks like we're up for some big changes next season. And, of course, the Winter Olympics are planned for Sunday 11th of February!
After Lisbon, we're back in Great Britain. Bristol kicks off the World Cup again after Port Elisabeth was cancelled.
Can Goldenberg keep off close rivals Lipawsky and Vague on this terrain? The hills are demanding, and the American is not the best climber. He'll have to fight for it, either way!
Race Information
Country: Great Britain
City/Place: Bristol
Classification: World Cup
Starting Time (Elite Men): 14h30
Favorites: Francis Vague, Sylvain Lipawsky, Matt Mazzarelli.
Record: 4x Pieter Gasthuys (1988, 1990, 1994, 1995)
Race History: Bristol has the infamous reputation of producing the most surprising winners. Only four riders have won the race twice, a ridiculous amount considering it's been around since the late fifties. Those include Cornelis and Gasthuys. Two years ago year, the race made a comeback, after vanishing from the calendar in the 90s. The greatest cyclo-cross rider in history, Pieter Gasthuys, raised his arms here four times.
Route Information
Technical: 5
Sand: 2
Uphill: 4
Cobblestones: 2
The race takes place around the docks. There is only a total of 150 meters of sand per lap, but the sand runs extremely deep. The course takes you up and down constantly, yet still there are two climbs with more than 100 meters climbing, long enough for the real punchers to make a gap.
There are sharp turns everywhere, including one of the most difficult descends on the calendar. Add the cracks in the underground and the cobblestones and you're in for a very demanding ride. Bristol has a history of producing the most surprising winners, will the tradition hold?
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: 5° C
Precipitation: Dry, sunny.
Wind: 2 Beaufort
Back on the World Cup trail. A big test this race against Vague and Lipawsky who are probably more sutied to the course. Still i've had a sneaky extra break compared to the others so that helps. I had offers to race in the US but turned them downt to head to Chicago again. So i'm 100% fresh and ready to roll and no other World Cup race for weeks. Nothing to save up for, it'll be 200% commitment.
My tip to Chicago was good. Checked out the course again, although riding is limited as it is a Golf course in regular use. Got some time in though as well as some more smoozing of media and officials. Then there was an endorcement from Gasthauys that i'm a good pick for the Worlds, it's great to get recognition from a true GOAT. It just makes me want to win even more to prove myself!
Hammer Time
Ow! Small tumble at Lisbon but in those conditions that's not surprising. I just slipped and fell, nothing serious. No lasting damage just a few sore muscles and some bruising. Not really too much else to say really, it's been quiet for me. Racing solidly but i need cobbles and/or ice to really feature strongly.
I had hoped for a cold snap in the UK but alas not. I'll keep plugging away though and wait for things to swing back my way. Hopefully for Rasterhoff but certainly Huez and the Christmas Classic at the end of the month.
Salut Sylvain, Lisbon was really a tough race, are you satisfied with your third place?
Yeah, that was very tough to race, the weather was likely to the advantage of Matt and I but my attacks didn't pay off and I suffered at the finish, in hindsight those attacks were bad when I could've waited for the sprint but I did feel good and wanted to give it a go, would've loved to take a victory but I'm happy enough with my race.
Vague is really the name on everybody's lips at the moment, do you have a comment on his comeback?
I'm pretty amazed at the amount he came back, a few hundred metres more and he would have contested the win. This guy is a serious talent for something amazing in the future but at the moment I'm worried about him in the world cup, which is my target this season.
We've got another World Cup race coming up in Bristol, your thoughts?
I'm looking forward to it, Bristol is one of the world cup races that suits me better so I'd like to put some points into Goldie and hopefully Vague as well. I'm really ready for this and feeling great, dreaming of a win here but any gain on those two will be good.
What about the Superprestige though?
It's a possibility although I'm more racing for wins there than the classification, getting a third podium would be cool though, we'll see where it goes.
The CXUCI is trying to increase the priority of classics again, you've always had some strong opinions on this, any comments?
It's really great that they want to get some of these incredibly historic races back to their old glory, I've always raced classics with my all because of how I feel they mean quite a lot to the sport and it's a shame that they go and take the history of the sport with them, perhaps we can revive some of the old classics they dropped out in the 90's? Either way, it's a step in the right direction of keeping the sport from becoming too commercial as well.
With the most recent news of the UCI's classic surge, BKCP-Powerplus team manager Vanbroucke had some beans to spill as well. Issuing a statement at Sporza, Vanbroucke appreciated the UCI's attempt at reinnovating and improving the Cyclo-Cross calendar, "which is currently packed with the highest amount of races in a very narrow timeframe. This puts the teams at a immense financial burden, high logistic organization and leaves little room for training, interaction and media-appearances of the riders." As an example Vanbroucke listed the classical flandriennes talks of riders in the afternoon after the races, which have now all gone by now. "This is the progress of the sport but our race interviews are always at the sideline of things."
He then went on to his true point of criticism. The belgian underlines the importance of the Superprestige. "This classification is the heart of Cyclo-Cross itself, it comes from Belgium, it breathes belgian, it has flandriennes soul. It's the competition that attracts the most viewers in Belgium, which is still the main market despite the current globalization. It is the most iconic trophy in Cyclo-Cross. In fact, it's heritage is closely linked to the traditional Superprestige events as well as a high number of competitive events."
Vanbroucke went on to insist that a cutting on the lucrative Superprestige would hurt Cyclo-Cross teams much more than the UCI could antipicate and argued that rather cutting on the Superprestige, the UCI may look at its own events. "Fact is, because of the success and importance of the December month in Superprestige, the UCI has now made the exact same copy of it for November. Does it work? Honestly, we've not found out largely because the numbers are not comparable - the World Cup intense month is in the Americas instead of Europe. That's good for the global attraction of the sport but bad current business. It's one of the new reasons why there arn't that many classics, too. If you want to reshuffle and remodel the CX calendar all the time you should start with the things that don't work, that havn't been here forever. The Superprestige has a right to its 12 races, it's entitled to be left alone."
Asked about the heritage and importance of classics, Vanbroucke stated: "There's heritage and than there's economic sustainabiltiy. Classics are a single event, they have to represent themselves. In that way, no. If they can't finance themselves in some way, of course with some help by UCI possibly, than no, they probably don't deserve to be on the calendar in the first way." In turn, Vanbroucke was also keen to list the strength of Superprestige organization, who have the experience, network and finances to support struggling events and set-up new, successful races if the need arises.
Sporza journalists have argued though that Vanbroucke's statement has to be seen in the light of Vague's Superprestige strength too. Neither in World Cup nor in Classics Vague feels so comfortable as in his "home competition", the Superprestige. Cutting down on the illustrous lists of events that all could see Vague as the leader of the classification, is of course much to BKCP-Powerplus dismay.
There is also talks about a potential change of sponsor at BKCP-Powerplus, possibly with Corendon taking over for Powerplus. However Vanbroucke neither confirmed nor denied anything, "this is a topic for another time".
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
We're back on the island! Or perhaps back is not the right word. Since Hertford is off the calendar, Bristol is actually our first visit to Great Britain this season.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 5° C
Precipitation: Dry, sunny.
Wind: 2 Beaufort
Start Line: It's a beautiful day for a cross. Nice and sunny, not too hot or too cold. Let's see if that sparks up some riders to get a show on the road.
The World Cup is as close as can be. Generally speaking we're still talking about three candidates. We have Vague, the big favorite, potential winner of just about any race, he's fast, can climb, hasn't finished outside the top 10 so far this season. Next up is Lipawsky, a fighter, taking points left and right. An ex-World Champion, he can handle the pressure.
Finally, there's Goldenberg. An outside bet, but after four races, he's leading the trophy.
Lap 1: No more talking, let the legs speak! We're off.
Eldfjallsson with a blitz start! He's starting on the second row, but that's not stopping him. It had been a while since he won the opening rush, though. Good for him.
Goldenberg very involved, quick on the start. I have a feeling he's not going anywhere soon in this World Cup.
But then he'll have to fight off Vague. The young Belgian has taken the race lead! And he's not waiting around, this is action from the word go!
Lipawsky is aware of the danger, but he's too far behind. Goldenberg is not sure how to react. It is soon, way too soon.
Markson is here at the front, Goldenberg sends him along with Vague as a watch dog. Might be a good solution. Vague gets out of the saddle again.
And they're off. Vague and Markson have a gap.
Now who'll react? Mazzarelli and Lipawsky get to the front. Mazzarelli won't work early in the race, the trophy is not that interesting to him, so he can play the game a bit longer. Lipawsky beckons Goldenberg to ride, but the American won't bite, not yet, anyway.
The gap grows. 10 seconds. They're really going full speed ahead at the front, no waiting around. Markson isn't cooperating, though, so it's just Vague, for now. It's been so long since a rider managed to ride away at the start of a race and stay clear. Maybe Vague wants to stir it back up!
Lap 2: A fast start, we'll have 10 laps today. Vague and Markson are 11 seconds ahead. But there's help underway, Jan Soucek took control of the chasing group and is working for Lipawsky to bring back the attackers. Lipawsky and Moli are taking turns, too. It's three against one. But it's Vague.
Goldenberg decides to weigh in now, too, though. Vague can see the chase and keeps his legs still.
That brings everything back together. The opening rush is over, they can calm down for a minute, take a breather. Schiltz takes over the pace, not to let it drop too much. It looks like BKCP will play this out aggressively. Not waiting for Goldenberg to drop the ball, but attack him until he does. The American might be in for trouble.
Goldenberg, Lipawsky and Vague are riding so close together they're like a siamese triplet.
Goldenberg sends out Markson again. Lipawsky sends Soucek with him. BKCP won't sit back and there goes Schiltz. Interesting. Our three fighters all send out their second men.
So now who will do the chasing?
Lap 3: Soucek, Markson and Schiltz have a 7 second gap. Moli, Bruggemann and Van Dyck are doing the chasing.
Soucek, Lipawksy's team mate, isn't cooperating, though. He's leaving the ball in Schiltz and Markson's court. Early bluff. A bit too early, this break can't survive if they're already watching each other.
Shay Gormley just brought Dubois back to the chasing group.
And here goes Vague again! In one of the more technical zones, he flies through the corners, Goldenberg glued to his back wheel!
Lap 4: Vague has caught up with the leaders. Schiltz puts himself at the front, now, and starts to ride hard! Vague in his wheel, Goldenberg trying to hang on.
Mazzarelli and Lipawsky won't let it happen, though, they're keeping the legs turning and slowly roll in the attackers.
And so everything's back together again. This camera shot shows it perfectly. Lipawsky, Vague, Goldenberg. Not giving each other an inch. This will go down heavy, but who's making the next move?
Lap 5: Things have quieted down at the moment. The three World Cup gladiators are studying each other's moves; others wait for them to make a move and the domestiques are trying to catch their breath, it's been a tough first half of the race.
Schiltz goes to the front and ups the pace a bit. No need to let the pace drop altogether.
Markson's role is played out, he has to let them go.
Oh he hits his pedal in the corner and goes down! Schiltz is on the ground. Vague is just able to avoid his team mate and stay upright.
That's enough for Goldenberg for now. He goes to the head of the race and sets a pace he's comfortable with. Riding at the front has the advantage of having control.
Goldenberg puts the brake on. He's resting up for a tough finale, probably. This sand is in his favour, though.
Lap 6: An attack! Jan Soucek attacks! Chris Young and Sven Welling react immediately. Robin Huser moves along with them.
And so we have Blue Bell, Bauknecht and BKCP at the front, once again.
There's no immediate reaction. The four attackers are getting a sizeable gap.
There's a good cooperation in this group. They all have good reasons to ride, if only for the win of the day.
Goldenberg won't chase, of course, he'd like the group to stay away, take away most of the points.
Lap 7: Flat tire for Lipawsky. He can change his bike in a minute or so, maybe he can hang on to this group. Or will someone take advantage of that?
Luckily for him, not. He changes his bike and is still in the group. The four attackers have got half a minute on them, impressive. Then again, the chasers aren't riding fast enough to close down the gap.
Lap 8: The situation is stable for now. Half a minute. Vague is upping the pace slightly, though. Does he still have any tricks left up his sleeve?
Lap 9: Our four leaders have 27 seconds on the chasers. With two laps left, they might make it. Especially as they're still not chasing hard enough. Vague is just keeping the pace about equal to the attackers. Don't Vague or Lipawsky have any aspirations to get back points on Goldenberg?
Keep in mind that we're in the middle of the Superprestige Rush. That might explain their behaviour. Vague doesn't want to waste too much energy. Lipawsky about the same. Goldenberg would consider it a big success if he's still leading the trophy after today.
But Mazzarelli won't sit back! He attacks! Lipawsky looks like he'll react but decides not to. He's no threat to Goldenberg. And so the Italian is away!
Lap 10: Final lap! Mazzarelli is nearing on our leaders, 20 seconds. But it won't be enough to win, our winner is most probably among these four. And they're heading into their final lap, a chance for victory! Huser, Young, Welling or Soucek? Two riders without a professional victory and two others who don't win frequently. A World Cup victory is a major milestone for all of them, but only one can win!
Soucek attacks! Young reacts immediately! Huser is a bit slower but he's closing the gap. Welling isn't looking too hot... He's left behind. And then there were three.
In the background, Vague attacks! Goldenberg and Lipawsky won't give him any wiggle room, they react!
Back to the front, where it's Young's turn to attack now! Talk about coming into the professional milieu in style. Second race and fighting for the victory!
But Soucek counters and passes him straightaway. Huser follows. Soucek is keen, but wasteful with his energy this late in the race.
Mazzarelli passes Sven Welling. But the leaders are too far ahead. He made his move a lap too late. Behind him, Vague didn't manage to get away from his rivals.
We're getting ready for a three way sprint! Soucek starts it. Huser is in his wheel. Young gets out of the saddle, but sits down again. He's empty.
Huser makes himself as aerodynamic as possible... He passes Soucek and crosses the finish line! He wins the Bristol World Cup race!
Mazzarelli is fourth, a familiar feeling for him. His move came too late, but it was a good try, and he scores some World Cup points. Welling is fifth.
And now for our three protagonists. They haven't let each other go for so long and they're going to sprint for 24, 22 and 20 points.
Vague takes the 24. Goldenberg is seventh.
Moli outsprints Hammarling and so the top 10 is completed. It's been a strange race, with an outsider victory. A trend returning to the sport this season, with Welling, Van Dyck, Power.
A huge result today. The big points didn't go to Vague or Lipawsky, being taken away by the break. We all watched each other, they clearly had considerations on the Superprestige so we could easily stay together for most of the race. Vague draws level on Points but i count that as a win all things considered. Made gains on Lipawsky, a couple more and he might concede to focus on the Superprestige.
Massive shout out to my team as well though. Radio was great covering early on, get a team mate down the road and you don't have to work. He faded away job done and then oh my god Rock came from nowhere. Clearly benefited from the slow pace to get forwards and then he played perfect foil. On the podium in his second race, i better watch out!
Radio
Goldie keeps his World Cup hopes ver much alive. I felt good early on but the short break took a big of my fitness edge off and i had to rest up. On the positve side i will now get to go for my own chances in the upcoming races. Goldie doesn't care particularly for Superprestige GC so i can get a free-role to ride for myself, i'd love to bag another win for myself before the Worlds and World Cup dominate again.
Rock
Boy what a start! Lisbon was a brutal cross which i loved. Not just because i enjoy that kind of event but the rush of racing the Elite. And then there was Bristol! Blue Bell CX spent a lot of time reinforcing the teammate aspect to me before i joined them, so i knew my job was to help Goldie above anything else. Radio faded and told me to cover any attacks. I did and we stayed away. A lot of luck the big boys were watching each other but you've still got to attack to begin with. I didn't have any of the explosiveness to match the late attacks but a Podium in race 2, it's just like being back Stateside.
Hammer Time
Bristol has been good to me as a cross and a Top10 continues that run. I'm finding m legs more now and continuing to push onwards. Really i'm enjoying my CX more than ever and i am thinking whether i've made the right call to go to the Road. I've been talking with my agent at TMM Sports Management and we're starting to re-think things.
The SCF are going to nominate me as CX Representitive on the UCI Athletes Commission. They are going to talk with some other Federations with a view to pushing my nomination to the UCI Athletes Commission. That will very much be an ongoing process with the decision not being made until March and May respectively. It's certainly something new to explore.
The race was nothing to boast about for Vague; he got his points but lost the chance at a victory and to build up a gap. For now, being shared World Cup leader is a good feel but Vague is growing wary of the battles up ahead.
Quite a defensive, tactical race today. Why didn't you succeed today?
Well, it certainly wasn't for lack of initiative but when you attack and others are stuck on your wheel and you can't ride away, you have to come up with different things. I always value BKCP-Powerplus' success as a team, so it was good that first Schiltz and later Welling tried to go for their chances. The intention was to put Goldenberg or Lipawsky under pressure but they had mates ahead too. It may for a rather stagnant affair, no real action. It's a shame for the viewers to see such defensive riding but I tried and I failed today.
The pointstable is still close together, what can be your solution, quo vadis Francis?
I certainly speculate that the World Cup remains a three-fold battle but I'm also confident in handling it this time around better. Last year, I lost it in the final race but this time around, I think the races that really suit still are yet to come. It's good to know that I've scored solid so far, it's better to know that there will be races that suit me well enough to win again. Right now, I also may have to look at other options, Sven Welling is currently 4th in the ranking and if we get him even further up the next few races, BKCP-Poweprlus may be able to put additional pressure on both fronts and can win this classification for the team.
Who do you deem of more threat right now anyway?
They are both great riders with a special, well developed skill set. I don't put preference on anyone, I ride against I have to and I'll adapt to the changing circumstances of course. For a long time, Cook and Cornelis were my toughest rivals by far - now it's the likes of Goldenberg, Lipawsky, Mazzarelli. I think this is natural development in a sport, the tides rise and fall. I want to be a constant.
Recently Vandewalle and Gasthuys have talked about your domination, some thoughts on that?
It's great to be the talk of town of two legends such as this. I value their opinion and expertise highly. I don't see myself dominating though, in fact I wish I could have won more [laughs] They have issued that I lack strength in classics and to a certain degree, I agree. I have not won one yet. It takes specialty for that and my biggest card to play is versatility in scoring, a high base level on each terrain by now. I'm looking forward to contest each classic though this season and show the pride of the rainbow jersey and we'll see how Christmas Classic goes.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Last year, Lee Valley became one of the most remarkable races, due to the hailstones and bad weather. We've already had our share of bad weather this season so far, and it looks like we'll have a dry Lee Valley this time around.
But the parcours, which is basically downhill - uphill - downhill - uphill... doesn't spell anything else than drama. Let's hope for another great race. Vague's winning streak is over. Who can profit from that?
Race Information
Country: Great Britain
City/Place: Lee Valley VeloPark
Classification: Superprestige
Starting Time (Elite Men): 14h00
Favorites: Francis Vague, Sylvain Lipawsky, Matt Mazzarelli.
Record: 3x Dries Cornelis (2004, 2006, 2007)
Race History: Lee Valley had hosted several races already, running from 2003 to 2007. It went quiet after that. Two years ago, the race was back with an adjusted profile. Its route has been the topic of many controversial discussions. The organisers are still looking for a balanced route. Balance between dangerous and spectacular, that is.
Route Information
Technical: 3
Sand: 3
Uphill: 5
Cobblestones: 0
The start takes the riders on a crazy downhill race. They turn into the sand immediately after, to sap the legs. After the sand, it goes up again. They don't climb all the way back tot the start, though, the climb debouches about halfway the original downhill. The sprint for the victory is right before the route goes downhill again, thus ending the race on a 100m sprint with percentages up to 10%.
The lap is shorter than officially allowed, but Lee Valley has gotten permission from the UCI to run the race this way. This means we might see the riders hit the climb a total of 15, 16 or even 17 times.
The main obstacle is the downhill, many believe.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: 4° C
Precipitation: Dry.
Wind: 0 Beaufort
The organization and stakeholders behind the Superprestige are not exactly pleased with the UCI announcement. Following Vanbroucke's reasoning, they have now also put Vague into the position of standing up for the event. Asked by a reporter whether he thinks that 8 races for the Superprestige are enough, Vague replied: "8 races are enough for a competition that you can call Prestige. For SUperprestige, it's not. You have to cut the Super away from the name and strip it of its historical identity because you are basically re-forming the entire concept of the classification." He reminisciens then: "You can do that if you want Classics full of specialized riders, like you have on the road. But you have to live with the thought that CX and Superprestige are not the same then anymore, and they won't be. Superprestige is not some laboratory you can try out some experiments. If you want the traditional Cyclo-Cross and you are a fan of that, you ought to stick to Superprestige. I really hope that some people understand that and that we find a way to avoid cutting the 12 races."
Having still a good lead after 3 out of 4 events, Vague hopes to come back to his winning ways at Lee Valley. Last year, he won against Cook and Cornelis here; both of them currently not active anymore. With a minute to Lipawsky, Vague chances of solid scoring in the next few weeks are actually pretty high. "I definitely want to get as many points as possible. Rasterhoff, Lee Valley, Alpe d'Huez. They all suit me well. I need to score big now."
Since the Superprestige only has very little point differences, Vague hopes that his rivals snatch away the points from each other. He also looks at Schiltz' rising form in support ("He came second last year at Alpe d'Huez" and Welling's consistent performances to be of help in his quest.
No matter the outcome, the Superprestige Rush is in full swing now and can prove to the public and the UCI that it deserves each of its 12 races on the calendar.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Sven Welling has got the taste for victory again. After Antofagasta, the flandriennes rider has set yet again another notable performance in Bristol. Although he is far from the overall podium still, Welling believes that the World Cup may have yet one or two wins still in store for him.
"Why not?", is his answer. Like every cyclist and athletes, Welling likes the thought of winning. "The situation can become really good for me. Bristol has confirmed what Antogafasta may have hinted: Teams can be tactically outplayed to my advantage due to Vague's strength. In Bristol I lacked strength to finish it off, but I can certainly take better use of this chances too. Trondheim CX, Torku for example, they suit me much better anyway."
Welling denies any World Cup winning aspiratons but underlines if he comes into the position that he may content for the overall podium, it'd be hard to not take the chance: "I'm not the guy who says it's impssopbile but it'll be tough enough against the top tier riders. All three want this trophy very much and Francis needs support now and then but Goldenberg and Lipawsky are rather young and maybe I can look forward to a second spring soon."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I burned. I burned like a Scouser in the Sahara. I burned like the legs of anyone who tries to follow Vague on a hilly and icy an technical day. I burned like... You get the picture. I burned hard the last weeks and it's time for my "physically immature" body to take a break and train hard to hit them all in the gut in Aosta. It's beautiful here, I'm not quite a local yet, as I am not a real little champion in the eyes of Matti, ergo neither in the eyes of the tifosi. They're great. And I've only drank with them once. Promise.
But Bristol was interesting on the telly. Young guys (and Sven) broke loose, chapeau, and my brother spend too much time chatting to Lachy and Ledoux and not enough racing. The three rivals for the World Cup were together, they all looked on point. Not much for me to take out of it but an interesting and entertaining watch all the same.
So this was just to update you on the condition before we meet again in Aosta Valley, I'm on a collision course for the World Champs and Coke trophy and who knows, maybe even a win.
Wow. It was a magnificent moment, standing there on top of the podium, all the people cheering for you, because you are the winner of the race. It was like after the second place at the U-23-World-Championships but just multiple times better. During the race I didn't expect that it will end that way, not to mention before the race. I came from a quite disappointing run. The South American races worked out pretty well for me, I made a good race at Rio for my conditions, losing an amount of time, which I can catch up for the rest of the Coca-Cola-Trophy. But then Port Elisabeth was cancelled, just three days before the race itself. A too short time for the management of Giant-Alpecin to change reservations. So we first stayed for a short time in Port Elisabeth and lost time to prepare for the Struisbaai cross, while other teams were already there. This missing time was negative for my race there, where I lost more time then expected to the others. The Jo'burg race was okay then, I helped Paul because his chances for a win in this trophy are just higher, while I scored my first points there too.
Then there was literally a race in hell. Just that this hell was a never-ending rainfall during the Lisbon race. The race was hard from the start, and I was empty after just twenty minutes, because you need so much energy to plough through the deep and sticky mud. I tried then to at least finish the race, but already after the first half I was overlapped.
Then we flew to the island for the Bristol cross. I hoped for a decent result, because it's a very hilly race and I know how to ride on cobbles thanks to my training rides in Ansbach, but I worried about the conditions of the sand and how I will do there. Turned out that the sand was very deep and energy draining, but short enough to plough through it with speed. But at the start of the race I still felt exhausted from the Lisbon race but I wasn't the only one. The first laps I rode behind the first group. The pace was high from the beginning, but then it suddenly dropped. I found the connection to the leading group, and then showed that I learned from my first races, because I quickly cycled to the front. And when Soucek attacked I was quick on his back wheel to follow him. The pack seemed to be okay with the new leaders. And yeah the rest of the race I acted like a robot, I was full of adrenaline and enthusiastic because I had the chance to win my first pro race. And well, you know how this turned out.
But just because I won a race that doesn't mean that I'm from now on a favorite for every race. It sounds like a floskel but I take this win as a reward, but also to encourage myself to train harder, so that I can feel this glorious feeling again.
Welcome to Lee Valley! A race on the rise! Literally, it's all about the big climb here, along with the descent that goes along with it.
Most recent winners include Elliot Cook and Francis N. Vague. So you know what time it is.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 4° C
Precipitation: Dry.
Wind: 0 Beaufort
Start Line: Vague must be the top favorite for today's race. He's been on point all through the season. With a profile like this, it's hard to imagine anyone stopping him. Few will try. Mazzarelli, Lipawsky. Perhaps. Most, however, will try to pick up the crumbs that Vague leaves.
Schiltz has been returning to form. He could prove an invaluable help to our top favorite today. But the same can be said for Lipawsky's Soucek, who's enjoying a better string of results lately.
Lap 1: The riders are off! And down we go!
This morning I talked to the race parcours builder and he spoke of a possibility for one of the next editions to change the parcours, make it counterclockwise instead of clockwise. It would be an interesting choice.
But that's not for today. Dao is off to a good start. Vague, Lipawsky. Van Dyck. The usual suspects these last few races.
Mazzarelli showing his form. On the first climb, he sets the pace rather high! Vague is on his wheel. Lipawsky follows closely, too. These are the three still in the running for the Superprestige. Will that still be so after today's race? One day, one of these three is bound to fall from the rankings, to crack. Or will it be a three-way battle climaxing on the Kwaremont?
Lap 2: We'll have 15 laps. Could be expected. The peloton is falling apart already, though. We have a peloton of about 15 riders still, so that's not too bad. The big guns are waiting.
And that's usually a sign for others to attack. Toon Van Eyck attacks out of this peloton! Nice to see this young lad in action for the first time. Verboven follows him! For Verboven it's about time to start building that form towards the road season, so he's going to make a good training out of today!
Still, they shouldn't let him ride too far. Verboven is no ordinary rider.
Lap 3: And they won't. Schiltz keeps the pace high enough. The gap is less than 10 seconds. Does this mean Vague has a plan today? He wants to win, that much is certain.
A fall! In the downhill, Guido Visconti hit the ground. Let's see the damage... He seems fine. His wheel isn't.
Etxeberdea knew an amazing early season form, but not much is left of that. He drops out of the peloton, the pace taking a toll. Schiltz is running a tight ship.
A first attack from a favorite! Vague dances on the pedals and moves swiftly up this hill.
Will we see a reaction? Mazzarelli and Lipawsky have to, there's no choice. Lipawsky's been caught too far behind. Mazzarelli gets out of the saddle and tries to follow his pace. But he sits down again, he can't follow.
Oh and he gets passed by an amazing Soucek! The young Czech flies past him and gets on Vague's wheel. Such class, passing a climber like Mazzarelli like this. Unbelievable.
And Vague isn't waiting around. He and Soucek have caught Van Eyck and Verboven. For Verboven it's a sign to slow down. His first power training is completed, now he'll finish off slowly.
Toon Van Eyck, on the other hand, tries to hang on. Luckily they're just at the top and they'll go downhill again.
Lap 4: Van Eyck follows well in the downhill. Soucek has a terrible style, I'm sorry I have to say it. It doesn't look anything like Vague, who's like an artist on his bike. But Soucek keeps Vague's pace and that's what counts.
And here we have Van Dyck and Mazzarelli. Have they broken free from the chasing group? Yes, it appears so. Let's keep the camera here... Lipawsky, Dubois, Listerijn, Schiltz, Huser, among more.
Van Eyck has to let the duo go now, though.
Lap 5: Vague and Soucek have an 8 second lead. Mazzarelli and Van Dyck have been caught again by the chasing group.
Hammarling is riding a good race. So much climbing is not usually his thing but he's comfortably inside the top 15.
And it's Dubois' turn to attack! How far does it go?
Lap 6: Soucek struggles a bit in the sand, but on the climb he looks an equal to Vague. At points even stronger, if that's possible. Looks untouchable going uphill.
Chris Young didn't ride a race like this before. In the American circuit, mountain crosses (like these are sometimes called by young cyclo-cross fans) are a rarity. He's not used to this, and it shows. The hill tires him out a lot.
Lap 7: Vague and Soucek are getting away, round by round. Mazzarelli knows it, and therefore attacks! Can he still make up lost time? He's got 15 seconds to catch up on!
And immediately he passes Dubois, who couldn't keep up his effort after accelerating. But Mazzarelli doesn't leave him behind straight away. Dubois tries to hang on.
Soucek is not like any other rider. He's a wildcard, always has been, always will be. He follows a different set of rules than the rest of us. Like right now. He rides next to Vague, going uphill. Not to pass him, but just to ride next to him.
Lap 8: Soucek's strategy has changed. He won't get out of Vague's wheel anymore. The Belgian must be confused. The Czech is unpredictable. Both in his racing and in his behaviour. But he's strong today, that we can say.
Mazzarelli has gotten closer. 10 seconds. Can he actually do it?
Meanwhile, the other chasers have lost terrain. Lipawsky, Schiltz, Van Dyck. They're all at 28 seconds.
Lap 9: Vague decided to ignore the Czech at his wheel and now keeps a steady pace. That's not to Mazzarelli's advantage, who has gotten as close as 6 seconds but is back at 9 seconds now.
Lap 10: Lipawksy's having an off-day. Van Dyck has now left him behind. Schiltz, too. Lipawksy's now riding around with Dubois and Toon Van Eyck.
The fight for the top 10 is ongoing. Huser and Hammarling just attacked Listerijn and Dao!
And Van Dyck is in a tough situation. He's hunting for Mazzarelli, but Schiltz won't do anything, he's got Vague up front.
Lap 11: In a race like this, the strongest always find their way to the front. Doing this climb over 10 times doesn't lie. Mazzarelli is at 11 seconds. The strongest are at the front. Vague and Soucek. Unmistakingly.
Lap 12: Fred Markson showing his skills as a good descender. Impressive. Etxeberdea can't follow him. Or won't.
And Dubois with an aattack! Lipawsky manages to hang on in the sand. Van Eyck has to let the two ride, he chooses for his own pace.
Soucek! After sitting at Vague's wheel for laps, he suddenly dashes away in the final 100m of the climb!
Lap 13: Vague trying to use the downhill to catch Soucek.
The Czech has been caught. Vague is too technical, too strong to leave behind like that. But he has been warned. Soucek is strong uphill, very strong.
Lap 14: And the Italian must be frustrated. He's neared to 9 seconds. He can constantly see the two leaders up ahead, but he can't reach them. But all credit to him that he's still going for it. A sign of mental strength. Behind him there's a big nothing, so his third place is relatively safe. But still he's going for the win.
And another turn in the fight for the top 10. Dao, Hammarling, Listerijn and Huser are back together! And now it's Listerijn who attacks! Hammarling follows, and is alone in it.
Soucek attacks! Again! This time Vague is prepared. He has to bend over backwards to follow the Czech's wheel. What a display of power from Jan Soucek! He's actually the first this season I've seen really hurting Vague.
Lap 15: But going into the final lap, the two are still together. The gap to Mazzarelli is back to 13 seconds, after the attack. It's probably not going to work for the Italian. He's fought valiantly, but it looks like he'll have to settle for 3rd. At least it's not 4th, right?
And now Vague is going for it! He puts a lot of pressure on Soucek. Through the sand, but the Czech won't break!
And we're going to the last climb of the day. Soucek takes the lead, now. Vague is not happy about it, but the Czech took the first position. He's deciding not to wait for a sprint and attacks! It'll be one long, long, tough sprint.
Vague is smart enough, though. He's keeping Soucek in control, or in the illusion of control. He just keeps his wheel, but doesn't go past him.
Or perhaps he just can't. Is Soucek really strong enough to keep Vague from a fourth Superprestige victory?
The final 100m. Soucek starts the sprint. But he has to sit down again.
Both he and Vague are so tired out that they can't sprint properly anymore. Vague stays in the saddle, too, and comes next to Soucek. He gets out of the saddle now... And accelerates! Amazing! Vague kept something in the tank and played an excellent round of bluff. He crosses the finish line first and raises one arm. He doesn't even have the energy to raise both of them.
Soucek hits his handlebars. He's mad, he has been fooled by Vague. Perhaps he was the strongest today, at least uphill, but he was bested by Vague.
Mazzarelli is third and keeps his Superprestige chances alive.
Van Dyck outsprints Schiltz for place 4. Another good performance.
And here he is. Just staying ahead of Dubois, Lipawsky. Sixth isn't too bad, but he's now over 10 points behind Vague and that's starting to be a considerable gap.
Van Eyck finishes 8th. And here comes a duo.. Hammarling and Listerijn, Louis that is, complete the top 10.
Thanks for being here with us today. We'll see you in Rasterhoff, for yet another Superprestige event!
It could well become a season of wildcards as Vague finds it increasingly difficult to control all of the riders. With Cook's departure from the scene in fact, the second power has all gone and Vague is in a position of racing for fierce, diverse competition and on top of that, the resurrengce of daily peaks by random odd names.
Ahead of the season, there was Cornelis' departure discussed, now Cook's injury extended critically the chances of sub-top riders to find success. Theories of journalists thus prove wrong so far: Not one or two riders can fill that gap, neither can Vague himself. It's the entire peloton that presumably stepped up to fill this void.
The fourth win in five races of the Superprestige, still it's close as anyone guess. How was the race?
Soucek turned quite the screws here, it was tough racing against him and keeping the others away. He was already good in Bristol back then, and Great Britain seems to suit him with second places. I've risked it with this early move on such a tough parcour but I'm glad I prevailed here eventually. Souckek's attack were relentless in the last laps, however I knew that I could trust in my finishing ability and thus also tried to lure him into my racing. It worked in some way but it was closer than I hoped.
5 points to the Italian, over 10 to Lipawsky. Thoughts on the lead of the Superprestige? It's still anybody's guess really. I'm glad that I could distance Lipawsky critically today, this maybe makes things a little bit easier in the upcoming races. With events like Rasterhoff and Alpe d'Huez around the corner, I'm interested in winning though either way so there won't be tactical games going on. This is where it counts and this is what makes Superprestige in December so special.
Lee Valley has now been one of the few places where you could win back-to-back? How's that?
Of course I like to remember the last race, since I came here to confirm my ambitions for the Superprestige, to show everybody that I was right to lead the trophy regardless of the Lisbon' incident. So, obviously I appreciate the crowd and the parcour here quite a lot, it's a special race and by winning it twice now I got my name in its annals for now - Cornelis won it three times, maybe I can equal his record next year. The downhill in the race certainly suits me too and it's one of the few races where you can really win the event by downhilling excellent and fast; I probably couldn't have done it here without it. If the really change the course next year, I cross my fingers that the downhill remains a technical challenge to master.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Blue Bell CX to expand? It's certainly on the cards! The successes of Markson, Power and of course Goldenberg, coupled with a number of successful races, and this years World Championships is growing the interest in the Americas to new heights! There are a variety of rumors going around about potential new sponsors to join Blue Bell CX.
Who are they and what could this mean? Details are a guarded secret. Rumors include brewers, how traitional, retail chains, also pretty traditional, car marques, less traditional, and major software firms, really not traditional. It depends who you talk to as to who the front running companies are. Regardless it could see a serious expansion of the Blue Bell CX team.
It's already known that they will have four riders next season, well it's 99% assumed, in Goldenberg, Markson, Power and Young. A new sponsor could se them bring in more strong riders, perhaps with a target to really take the fight to the powerhouse European teams like BKCP.
With an amount of talk out of the traditionalists to protect their home events and precious Superprestige, at the cost of expansion and global interests, extra investment in the Americas could really shake up discussions!
Louis Listerijn crosses the line, out of breath but in the top ten. He does seem, though, a little shocked to see reporters coming at him.
Louis, a great race for you, cracking that elite top ten that is the stuff of a neo-pro's early-season dream?
Yeah, it's really really great! I mean I always said a top 15 would be great and I think I may have done that a coupla weeks ago but, uh, I'm just over the moon to get a top ten especially on a course that didn't suit me so much. A hilly one, yeah. But it feels premature but really good. Let's hope it's no one-off, right?
Talk us through it then.
Well on a tricky course I wasn't too confident of rocketing up from fourth row and helping Francis, so I just rode my own race. I wasn't aware of how well I was doing until Toon went and I found Francis a few seconds ahead. It was pleasing though I owe a lot to a stagnating pack. I just held it when Francis followed attacks I couldn't and just stuck with Christian. And yeah, had an easier ride as I wasn't helping Lipawsky or Dubois catch Francis. I stuck with a few guys riding more to keep those behind at bay before I, uhm, realised there was top ten at stake. I couldn't outsprint Dao for sure and attacked, luckily I had a punch and Hammarling was the only one who followed me. And yeah, stoked.
Where to from here? Goals?
Just keep pushing myself, huh? Just do what I can to improve and be on a level where I'm useful to the team. I'd love to get another top ten if at all possible but I'll have to work hard. Kitakyushu is a goal but not on the level of the Belgian WC team. If there is five I think it's unlikely but I'm willing to work my ass off.
Have you spoken to Milan since he left for Aosta?
Yeah a couple of times we talked over the phone, he's doing well over there and hopefully for him he's ready to comeback strong, even if it is against Francis (laughs).
It's time for Rasterhoff again! Last year, Mazzarelli didn't take a single Superprestige point here, and that might motivate Vague to get down to business quickly. In December - Superprestige month, much can happen. Just a week ago, Lipawsky took a beating in the classification. Who's turn is it next?
We are still nowhere near freezing temperatures. However it's getting colder gradually, and with the race planned at around 10:30 am, it's not going to be that warm.
Race Information
Country: The Netherlands
City/Place: Rasterhoffpark
Classification: Superprestige
Starting Time (Elite Men): 10h30
Favorites: Francis N. Vague, Shay Gormley, Christian Schiltz, Eddie Goldenberg.
Record: 4x Blazej Dobransky (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011)
Race History: Rasterhoffpark is up to its 12th edition. 4 of those have been won by Dobransky, but the last was 5 years ago and Dobransky has since retired. Rasterhoffpark offers a nice route for both riders and spectators and it has been rewarded by being part of the Superprestige since 2010 now.
Route Information
Technical: 4
Sand: 4
Uphill: 2
Cobblestones: 0
The climbs are short and steep. True climbers won't be able to show their strength on this terrain. This is a profile for the powerful riders. There are long, flat sections, short climbs, short and straightforward downhills and three large sand sections.
Possibly decisive are the two jumping bars, located about three quarters in the lap. It might turn out to be a strategic point to drop you adversaries.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: 3° C
Precipitation: Rain, light
Wind: 1 Beaufort
I had hoped for icier conditions, similiar to my first victory. However it's looking like a cold edition but with the usual sand challenges included. I have experienced two very different editions from each other, Rasterhoff has in this way always been a bit of a surprise due to its changing circumstances and weather conditions. It's up to me to make this my race though.
Without Cook and Cornelis present, there's a huge line-up opening up for the contention. Sand experts such as Gormley or Bollinger may be able to use their power and talent to significantly drop us in the sand, whilst the technical parts of the race can favor me in coming back for the win. Not sure how Goldenberg will treat this race respectively the Superstige but having finished previously on the podium, he could well be a danger. Van Dyck is presumably a wild card in this race, it's the only dutch race on the calendar and with his star rising just in time for the organization and the dutch fans, there'll be some support for him on the sidelines. I wonder how he'll fare in sand conditions.
Regardless of the competition, bookmakers have me as a favourite but I do not like my odds that much for a win. However, I'm coming here with another victory under my belt. But whilst Lee Valley is a natural strong course for me, I rely in Rasterhoff on favorable circumstances from outside. Still, I've had made progress in the sand so I'm confident I can once again distance Mazzarelli and Lipawsky, both are my primary concern as of now still. Lee Valley and the upcoming Alpe d'Huez are two races where I can win but the same goes for the Italian and the Swiss; both of them can ride very well on hillier terrain and in the Superprestige there are very narrow point gaps within the ranks. In that regard, the Superprestige is a tough stone to crack, you constantly need to put pressure on it and hope that it cracks or it'll be a narrow fight to the end. That's why it's important to gap them now in a race that doesn't suit especially Matt. Gaining a hefty points margin on him can make the season easier in total. I shouldn't let this chance go to waste. In fact - although we are still in December and the season is far from over - if I reach 2017 with a significant points lead on them in the Superprestigte, I can start to manage my strengths, both in regard to all three classifications and the two Championships. With a busy schedule still ahead and my first season doing possibly all races as the World Champion, I need to take measures preemptivly and make recuperation possibilities count if I want to stay competitive and successful up until the end. For that to happen, I need to perform well now in Netherlands.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
After Rasterhoff, where I have no ambitions but to build form, I'm in Switzerland. Belatedly. Why it's taken them so long, I don't know. I just feel bad for the Lipawskys. It should have happened sooner. His family and friends deserve to have some closure, even if they know from Sylvain. He let me tell this, let it off my chest. But back on topic, I've been too ashamed to talk about it with them, other than to say sorry the next day.
Sorry I survived.
It was why I was so bad last season. I was injured, but I couldn't say so, because it brought back too many memories. I was broken, but I couldn't do more than ride my bike. I couldn't face up to one of my best friends. I wasn't there for him until a few months after Blois. The Vuelta was a shambles. I pulled out, not for the worlds, but because cycling wasn't the remedy. Now I help him with his awareness fund, and his bid for a real law change. I do the courses with kids, and I teach them why you wear a helmet. But of course, I don't tell them about Thomas. It's still too much for me.
I caught Sylvain for a drink in Finland last season and we touched upon it, and we left it soon enough. I knew both of our wounds were too raw from that, especially his. I'll never forget beating myself up over how worked up I was when he was worse. I should have supported him. Just another way I failed. I chatted to him again a few weeks ago but only about the helmet bill. We're hoping to meet up again in Italy. I hope it's better there, and I'm just so happy there's no hard feelings.
I wake up sometimes, you know. In the middle of the night. Because I just relived the pain of the crash, and the further pain of crawling over to him. and seeing what happened. Sylvain, rushing up behind us. Asking if we are alright. Seeing that Thomas wasn't. I hope I never have to live through the pain he felt there.
My skull, arm, and wrist weren't OK. But in that moment, the emotional pain and guilt took over from the physical hurt, and it stays there. To this day. I'm not the same rider that I was, but that's irrelevant. A side effect of a much worse disease. People tell me I can get over it. I'm not sure if I can. I can live my day-to-day life, normally as you like, but sometimes, I get those memories flooding back. I'm more nervous on a bike. I lost my touch in the months following and never got it back. Oceanic Championship was for Thomas. And so too, will Fuji be. It has to be. I'm gonna make it be. Watch me.
Bristol - Preview 
Goldie
Hammer Time
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Rock
and Welling's consistent performances to be of help in his quest.
Rasterhoff - Preview
