Newsflash: Van Fleming "is okay" with new surprising role
Topsport Vlaanderen managers must be real proud of themselves because they have succeeded in something that all of his managers, coaches and fans have failed at doing before: Rik Van Fleming has caused some serious action at Antogfasta.
The routinier from Belgium has set the pace for the first few laps of Chilean Race, putting Cornelis, Cook, Vague and some others in serious trouble. His move has been dubbed key to Verboven's later race victory. It is cleraly also most uncommon for the Belgian Champion to race in such a way.
When asked about his performance ahead of Rio, Van Fleming was confident to not let become this the rule: "After Rudy's win, the guys at Topsport knew that he had great legs. I wished I could have sucked wheels like I usually do but they convinced me to sacrifice my own ambitions for the team spirit. It was great that Rudy won the race. If he hadn't won it, I would have probably teabagged him in his sleep, because I really don't want to work for a guy who can't even win then. But luckily, he did win, so we are cool."
Van Fleming returned to his racing style in the later laps, hanging on to the wheel of Vague and Lipawksy, outsprinting them for a solid 10th place of the day. He smiles at this move, and nods happy: "I'm happy I beat that young gun Vague. Put some sense into him. Van Fleming still has the legs to even outsprints guys like Vague and Lipawsky." Clearly, Van Fleming is more confident than ever, even talking about himself in the third person singular. It is unlikely though that this will result in another hard pacing in Rio, instead Van Fleming hopes to hang on till the finish at whoever grants him the wheel and celebrate a nice result in the evening sun of Rio.
Edited by Shonak on 12-01-2015 20:54
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The only way you can beat these cocky riders is to train and show them in the race, but that doesn't mean you can't have some fun while your at it, I've got to know these New Zealanders really well. Josiah translates and we can have a conversation and we've got a few plans involving Mentos and coke. Unfortunately Bakari can't understand us, maybe he speaks Italian, he seems like a nice guy though, there might be some apologies to make after that coke incident on the beach yesterday though. Anyway, besides making some new friends, I'm training hard here in Rio, so hopefully we see a good race. Maybe with riders watching everybody and with some more explosions...
Hey guys,
I just wanted to update you on the various goings-on and my perspective of the drama.
In my opinion there isn't much to say that hasn't already been said. I have met some really nice guys here, Matt and Bakari are nice enough, despite my only vague grip on Italian. Fortunately as mentioned by Pierre I do speak French, so communicating with the Lipawskys is easy enough. On the beach we also met Nathan Starc, who seems to know Mike pretty well, so they are in on Pierre, Tanē and I's plans (and Bakari if he ever figured out what Tanē said at the airport).
Lachy was meant to be doing this but he and Sylvain are out training together for what we don't know, but it's certainly not the course as me and Pierre are doing that together right now. You gotta wonder what they are up to.
Anyway, watch out for us on the course, and let's hope for another 'explosive' race...
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Welcome on the Copacabana beach! The weather is great, but a lot of riders won't think so. The crowd has answered massively to the initiative, there are approximately 80.000 people here. Granted, not all of them will be here for the race, but they're here in the area either way.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 18° C
Precipitation: Sunny, Dry
Wind: 1 Beaufort
Start Line: Big day for the riders of the Coca-Cola Trophy. Leader Vague will be put under pressure by skilled sand rider Elliot Cook, who's not even a second down on the young Belgian.
Today we might see some new names, with the sand profile. Expect a lot of fight on different levels. Some may fight for time, others for the victory of the day.
It's good to see Robert Wells return to racing here today, he looks better again. He won't be competing for the win today, though.
Lap 1: The riders are off! This is one of the slowest starts I've ever witnessed. Getting on your bike in the sand isn't easy, as we can see now. Max Power shows his sand abilities and his explosiveness, he speeds away first.
Elliot Cook, eyeing the Coca-Cola Trophy, looks very focused. He's taken a good start and is riding around in 5th position. His main rival, Vague, has had some difficulties with this sand start. Not something he is used to, coming from the Belgian circuit.
Lap 2: A short lap indeed, we'll have 11 laps today. The crowd is going crazy. Bad luck for Frederick Muller, as the sand has got into his gearing, he'll have to run to the technical zone now.
The sand gets everywhere, so your material is very important on a day like this. And something's happening at the front of the race. Max Power wants to make it a hard race and tries to move away from the group. Dries Cornelis sits on his wheel.
Others to follow the attack are Ali Acord, Mustafa Moli and Sylvain Lipawsky. Oh and Gormley tries to bridge the gap on his pure power! Little Elliot Cook sneaks with him. It's up to Vague now. Chase the little Cookie bird!
Lap 3: Bad luck for Lipawsky once again, as he goes down in the sand. It's not the first time this year, and we're afraid it won't be the last time.
The front group is pulling hard now. Vague has found some help in the chase, riders who feel they can compete for the win today, such as Akdeniz and Mazzarelli. Not exactly sand experts, but as a talented group, they count for a lot.
Lap 4: At the front, we have Power, Cornelis, Moli, Cook, Acord and Gormley. Vague is already 15 seconds behind. Meanwhile Christian Schiltz has caught up with the leader of the Coca-Cola Trophy. He's pulling through after a rough start.
Lap 5: First abandon of the day: Bakari. Not his kind of race today, that much is certain.
For Cook, the situation is just perfect. Power, Moli and the others have nothing to lose in the classification, so they're powering ahead for the victory of the day, all he has to do is follow.
Lap 7: Vague is going deep here. He's red hot, but he's coming closer to the front of the race. 18 seconds now. For the first time in two laps he sees Cook.
Cook has seen this, too. He moves to the front... And attacks!
Acord follows immediately. Gormley hangs on, too! Power has given too much already, he can't follow the fast pace through the sand.
Lap 8: We're getting closer to the finish. Cook is riding at the front constantly now. He's not even looking at Gormley and Acord. His ambitions are now very clear: he's thinking about this trophy.
Power has recovered a bit and is chasing again, he's about 10 seconds behind.
Meanwhile, Vague is losing ground. He's not looking so good, now. Schiltz leaves him behind.
It's looking good for Cook. 35 seconds and counting on his direct rival. And he's having a great day, too, he's still powering away at the front.
Lap 10: Lap 9 was the fastest lap from the race. That only means Cook has not slowed down at all, in fact, he has moved up the pace even more.
Vague steps on the pedals. 32 seconds, he's doing everything he can. But the deep sand hurts him, you can see it.
Lap 11: We're heading into the final lap! Cook is still at the front, battering away.
Moli and Power are the main forces chasing, Cornelis is barely hanging on at this point.
Oh and Vague cracks, he's cracking! 35 seconds, 37 seconds... He has to shape up or he'll lose half a minute in just the final round. This is bad.
But now Cook has slowed down, too. He buries himself into his saddle and looks at his front wheel. Acord moves past him and accelerates, Gormley follows. Cook doesn't even attempt to follow. His job is done, he's gotten a big chunck on Vague, now all he has to do is keep his pace and finish.
Schiltz with an unfortunate slip in the sand! Burbank uses this to escape. But this is happening in the background, we move back to the front now.
Gormley and Acord are now side by side, moving through the sand. A long, straight, flat, deep sand section now, this will probably decide the race! And Gormley, what a power! Acord moves more elegantly, but what's elegance when you're blown away by raw power? Gormley goes into the final 100m alone. He has this. Can't lose it.
What a victory, what a rough day in the sand. Shay Gormley wins his second race of the season, Acord takes second place. And there is Cook, 9 seconds down, but new leader of the Coca-Cola Trophy.
Power with an impressive ride today, just outsprinted by Moli, who takes a surprising fourth place! What did we say about new faces today?
Vague manages to limit the damage somewhat in the end and finishes 41 seconds down. The Trophy is not all lost for him.
Full Result
1
Shay Gormley
61'23"
2
Ali Acord
0:03
3
Elliot Cook
0:09
4
Mustafa Moli
0:13
5
Max Power
s.t.
6
Dries Cornelis
s.t.
7
James Carlisle
0:24
8
Lachy Bauer
s.t.
9
Ketso Tembi
s.t.
10
Michael Bollinger
0:31
11
Thijs Van Lookeren
s.t.
12
William Burbank
0:34
13
Christian Schiltz
0:37
14
Sylvain Lipawsky
0:41
15
Mohuti Sow
s.t.
16
Francis N. Vague
s.t.
17
Matt Mazzarelli
s.t.
18
Arda Akdeniz
0:57
19
Naveed Alinejad
s.t.
20
Jannik Stolz
1:08
21
Ronnie Hira
s.t.
22
Rik Van Fleming
1:26
23
Jack Smith
s.t.
24
Blazej Dobransky
s.t.
25
Josiah Bennett
1:49
26
Gregory Bernard
1:54
27
Tariq Faizullah
s.t.
28
Rudy Verboven
2:13
29
Kimi Hakinnen
s.t.
30
Pierre Lipawsky
s.t.
31
Nic Hashir
2:30
32
Mikel Hammarling
2:37
33
Milan Vermeulen
s.t.
34
Nicky Van Drenthe
s.t.
35
Sven Welling
3:00
36
Timi Kokkonen
s.t.
37
Alfonso Munoz
s.t.
38
Sven Van Vliet
s.t.
39
Marcus Flinch
s.t.
40
Abdullah Saboor
s.t.
41
Lars Lejeune
3:21
42
Oleksandr Orlov
3:40
43
Lars Van Hennep
3:42
44
Alexey Tesler
4:21
45
Frederick Muller
s.t.
46
Mario Guido
4:36
47
Ewan Wilson
4:53
48
Andrew McLaughlin
s.t.
And here we have to end our broadcast. Check back on the site for an update on the Coca-Cola Trophy later today. The organisation in Brazil isn't what it's supposed to be, at the moment. All we can say for sure is that Elliot Cook now leads the Trophy, with a 41-second margin on Francis N. Vague.
After the race in Rio, the only thing I could do was to find a quiet place and take some time to catch my breath. The weather was alright, the crowd was amazing, the sand killed me...
There was lots of discussions and maybe a bit controversy before the race. People felt offended that Elliot and I did a double interview, or at least they were envy of the attention we received. I didn't really get most of the things people complained about. For example, I've always paid lots of attention to Verboven. Saying I just let him race away because I focus on Cook too much, is absurd. Like I said and I want to repeat those lines, I have always paid attention to every rider. I also read that Mazzarelli called Cook an asshole, whilst demanding from Cook to grow up. Really mature...
Alas, all the talk was fairly worth nothing once the race started. As people could see, I was off to a terrible start, and well - things went downhill from there pretty fast.
Cook as a reknown sand specialist forced his luck and rode right at the front, as youngster Max Power took some amazing initiative. Though the start was rather slow, the pace soon picked up. I rode with very little air in my tires, trying to sit down deep in the sand and thus get a chance to better grind my gear whilst keeping the balance. For a while it worked, but each lap my gap increased.
For the moment, there's only so much I can talk about. I could repeat over and over again how riders passed me, how I fought back. I got glimpses of hope to turn around the race in my favor, just to be smitten a little bit later. Some guys helped me out on the course, Mazzarelli for example. A race is a race after all. But most of the time, I was riding solo. I was losing time.
With my goal of limiting the time loss, I had a hard time balancing my effort. Especially when you see other riders flying away, there's this urge you want to follow. The next big step was meant to come eventually: I faded. But luck was on my site for once, it was close to the finish. So I could still minimize the loss and keep myself in contention.
Glad this race is over. Don't want to lose too many words on it, I'll recover now properly and look forward to South Africa and later Lissabon.
People said, I'm still ranked 2nd after the race. I didn't take a look at the table yet, but I sorta figure that Carlisle must have passed me by now. But no love lost here, it's all gain and loss in Coca-Cola Trophy. There are still enough races ahead of us, and I look forward to put Cook on the hot seat.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
You decrease your gap to the three leaders in the Coca-Cola trophy with a gutsy 8th place over the sand. What did you make of the race?
It was bloody tough. Today the aim was a top ten without too much time lost, so to only lose 15 seconds [to Cook] was great, and to take 17 on Franny was better. I stayed with Jimmy C the whole way so another bonus. Michael was great, I'm sure if he wasn't helping me he could've been right up there.
You've been very active this week against Cook and Vague's racing, what did you make of it today?
Uh, I don't think they were too bad, mainly because Chef dropped him a while back. Honestly no real comment.
A few minutes ago Vague came out on the defensive, what do you think of that?
Well that's just him isn't it? Defensive about the race, about the interview. He thinks I want his attention? What a cocky little-
Thanks for your time, and congratulations on your 8th here today!
Thanks, always a pleasure.Edited by jandal7 on 16-01-2015 19:50
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
There are advantages to being consistent, and generally alright at all terrains, and the Coca-Cola Trophy is starting to show it for Christian Schiltz, after a fantastic 13th place, despite a late slip. Who'd have thought at the start of the season that such a sandy race would be so successful?
Starting the day 17th overall, he finished ahead of 12 of the 16 riders previously ranked ahead of him - including former series leader Vague, who he dropped after working with for a couple of laps, and key rival Bernard. This looks to have moved him up 3 positions to 14th, while closing the gap considerably on a number of others.
Some come down for Bakari, struggling in the sand after such success at the last race. The sabotage attempts on him by the Kiwi riders clearly hindered his prospects in Rio. Amadou looks likely to be falling back from what had been an impressive ranking of 43rd in the Coca-Cola standings.
The good news is that we now fly to Africa! The South African race is sure to be enjoyable. His home race is arguably Arenberg, where the french-speaking rider has set up his European base, but geographically Struisbaii is the closest the main CX circuit will get to Gabon this year.
Happy Birthday Hafthor! And what better way for Eldfjallsson to celebrate his 26th Birthday than with the penguins in a special Antarctic training camp? Ice and snow everywhere, ideal conditions for a bike ride!
It sure beats the sandy hell of Rio!
Edited by SportingNonsense on 16-01-2015 19:39
Sandy Shay took another thrasher, but I am stoked really with my rides on the shyte. The secret I am finding is good bike position and a bit of power it aint that different from climbing and certainly isn't about being some fatty arbuckle. Balance is key and being the stature I am it is quite easy keeping that bike straight and true.
No screwing around from me in race, but believe me there was plenty before the race. It has been quite the war down here in Rio. I like to think it is mind games and it looks like Francis Vague has lost his bottle a bit. I think he went a bit into the red here in Rio thinking he is my equal and I was told he blew completely in the last lap. Pleased that little silly interview thing got to his ego - as I say the sprog will be killing himself finishing with Mazzerable and the French Lip.
Mazzerati decided to blow his Italian top at me pre-race, which was stange as the cocky med man don't like to get his face dirty in the sand. His performance in Rio was just as pathetic as ridiculous beard, I bet he feels a right mug now. The Italian has a good engine and has a nice riding style but I don't think has the stomach for the rough stuff.
Lipawskiy meanwhile is a different type of beast of course who I am told loves the rain. He sure us a lippy little Frenchie - found it funny to see him post race today. He said something along the lines about me not winning, sounding like another one of those ego maniacs that crave the adoring fans. I didn't even get to go on the top step of the podium to collect the classifaction leader prize despite the fact a 5 year old can do the calculation to see that now I am in control of this Coca Cola cash prize. Not to worried about that seen enough thongs and bikinis to last a lifetime out here and looking forward to getting racing back to Europe.
Yeah the American leg of our journey is complete and while it felt a bit gimmicky at times. It'll be nice to get back home really, it has had some great highlights out here. Certainly I have enjoyed some of the climbs we have had and it has been good to see some new names emerge. Those Yanks Bauer and Power have something to offer and in Rio we saw some great performances from some Asian dudes.
South Africa next, never been there and sadly it will be all business really from me out there with what looks like an unfavourable course for me. Would have been cool to go on a safari or something but the schedule looks too tight. No doubt I will be doing a Jimmy C style wheelsuck in the race - nothing wrong with that tactic by the way looking forward to winding someone up royally by getting right up their ass.
The UCI has released a press statement earlier today. The Struibaai Cross in South Africa is to be canceled for its first edition. The local volunteers weren't able to get the terrain in order for the fourth Coca-Cola Trophy race.
Almost all the UCI licensed crossers are in Struibaai. We're still waiting for their reactions, but we can't imagine they'll be positive. They flew out here for nothing, now. The organisation was not ready in time and so the Struibaai Cross was canceled from this year's schedule. This means Elliot Cook remains leader in the Coca-Cola Trophy at least until the cross in Aosta, Italy.
Coca-Cola reacted with harsh words for the UCI. Disrespect and untrustful were only a few of the words used to describe the UCI officials who canceled the event.
The riders now have 5 days to fly to Lisbon for the upcoming Superprestige event.
After the disgraceful decision by the UCI to cancel the one African race on the calendar, Amadou Bakari has decided to quit the cyclo-cross scene in protest.
A few hours after the UCI announcement, two reporters found Francis N. Vague in the Waiting Lounge of the OR Tambo International Airport. Whilst the entire staff of BCKP - Powerplus is enjoying the few hours of extra sleep, Vague is eager to get back to racing already.
So Francis, you are itching to race?
Yeah definitely. Rio was a little bit of a disaster since I lost more time than I wanted to. I knew that it'd be hard but the race really killed me there. So I was looking forward to ride for a bit of payback since the last two, three races wern't really that much in my favour. At least now we'll be all pumped for Lissabon, a race that suits me very, very much and one where I hope to get back into winning ways.
Indeed, South America hasn't been kind to you. Or America in general?
Yeah maybe. Naturally, looking at my performances in Europe, it's true that I'm happy to be going back on European Soil, where the races, the climate suit me better. I feel okay 'bout the American Race Series, though I wish I had performed better in South America. Antogfasta and Rio were a bit of a letdown.
Cyclo-Cross cult rider Amadou Bakari has been majorly disappointed by the cancellation of the race and he is said to quit the Cyclo-Cross scene altogether.
That's a real shame. I havn't yet met him personally, but he seems like a fun guy and he really draws in the crowd. He has his ways and seems like a great, popular person. I hope he re-thinks his decision, and that this has just been a decision made in the heat of the moment. Let's all hope he'll be at the startline in Lissabon. That said, I can understand him. If Belgium had only one race and they'd cancel it, I'd be upset too. But that being said, this is Cyclo-Cross and races being canceled is unfortunatley nothing new for the UCI.
Coca-Cola as the sponsor has been majorly upset too.
Well, of course they invest a lot of money and effort in this series and they want it be perfect. All their races have been a massive success so far, and the Struiboos Cross was intended to be in this fashion, too. But sometimes plans just don't work out. I hope we maybe get to ride the race later this year, although the calendar is packed with races and erm.. well, look at the calender, I actually think the race organizations really have to pay attention to reduce traveling next season. It's all jet set by now, and I don't think this really helps the audience see the best possible performances, on TV as well as on the circuits.
Is this your way of saying that the traveling maybe a reason for your lately disappointing results?
Mhm, no, no. I don't think so. I mean, erm... sure it doesn't help when you spent a lot of time in airplanes and buses, and I'd prefer to spend it with family, training or recovering properly in that time. I'd prefer to spend most of the time racing in Europe like my idols. But of course, every rider has to deal with this the same way. Has the same issues. And some cope with it better than others. I'm feeling fine though, my family is with me so that helps a lot, and the team is really supportive. Of course, I understand that traveling is just part of this new era of Cyclo-Cross.
You mentioned Lissabon, Superprestige Classification is the word then again. You're still the race leader. Any words on your tactics then?
Not yet. I still need to properly examine the course, ride it a few times and then I know more what my plan should be. But I feel like attacking, very very much.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The worlds press has gathered in South Afruca out of curiousity as Elliot Cook, current privisional leader of the Coca-Cola standings, has called called for a conference.
In he comes with a suit on and of course a UCI cap on with a crude F drawn on in front of the U.
He sits down and places a takeaway McDonalds on the counter and slurps on some Cola.
An uncomfortable silence begins. Elliot takes out a Big Mac and delights in taking a bite as relish squirts on the counter. After finishing off this and licking his fingers he then takes out another Big Mac and looks to take on his second calorific sin.
A reporter breaks the silence.
R: Erm will that not effect your condition? EC: Haven't you heard the clowns cancelled the race. That's right the circus has rolled up and us monkeys are not going to even put on a show - all you have is your's truly's ugly mug eating one of these tasty burgers to gawp at.
R: We mean for the Race in Portugal which is in a few days isn't it? EC: You think after this farce I am even considering racing there. All due respect to the people of Portugal, sorry this is too bigger deal for me.
R: You feel that strongly about Bakari? EC: Who? Oh that African guy... well not sure he should have been in the circus in the first place - but you cannot help warming to him. However I aint so bothered about him, I am more bothered about the complete disgrace of flying everyone out here having us train our butts off only to cancel the damned race. What kind of amateur hour is this - there was no reason to cancel the race and I am not going to stand for it.
R: What are you going to do? EC:I have spoken to the boys here in South Africa and they have this course ready and can kept it race ready for some time. I can see two places in the calender where this can take place, either instead of that Christmas Classic in China or between the Omani sand race and the worlds. The guys here are being beyond reasonable about this and I think they need a dose of an unreasonable toerag i.e. yours truly to get the clowns to listen.
R: Yes but what exactly are you going to do? EC: Me, actually I am going to do nothing.
R: Oh, what will that achieve? EC: Well I can enjoy my food again, but I imagine the racing will be pretty boring without me.
R: What? You are quitting at the age of 23? EC: Yep. Unless Struibaai Cross is put back in the calender Elliot Cook will not be racing.
The recent cancelation of Struibaai Cross has started a minor storm in Africa. The CX world is turned upside down as riders express their displease over the UCI. The UCI reacts with a sharp tone.
"We did what we had to do. The Struibaai Cross could not be raced properly, so we only did what could be done. Don't lay the blame with us. Coca-Cola is responsible for its races and they have failed. If any, the riders should be thanking us, we're watching out for their safety. However, we understand the disappointment and we're willing to meet them halfway.
The riders can receive a compensation for their air travel, to a certain extent. All riders should fill in an application which gives them the right to demand back a full compensation from Coca-Cola, too. But let it be clear, the Struibaai Cross is off, there's no changing that. The calendar has been put together very carefully at the start of the season, and we can't puzzle it in anywhere.
Riders trying to intimidate us by refusing to ride are only hurting themselves and the fans. They are egoistic and we will not tolerate their childish behaviour. The season continues, with or without them. They can go looking for another job, that's up to them."
Hard words by UCI spokesman Shmoelie Kerkarov. Clearly they had not expected the harsh reaction by the cyclists involved. Hughes Vanautreve, ex-cyclo-cross rider, tweeted in response: "Don't let the UCI dictate the law. If I were still riding today #backinthedays, I'd call for a strike at the Lissabon race #NotoUCIdictatorship"
Yep my season continues to grind on without much upside. My results are still relatively poor and i am not really enjoying myself. The gap between the top riders and myself is beyond gigantic and i don't think it will ever close considering how young some of them are. Still there are a couple of events that will suit me more still to come so i'll stick it out for now.
The race in South Africa has been cancelled. Some people are very angry and i'm not surprised, it's a shocking call from the UCI for reasons i'm sure will be explained soon. Luckily TMM Sports Management will cover my costs and i've decided to take advantage of being in South Africa and will spend a few days doing tourist things around Cape Town.
TDF
The Rio Cross did not go as intended. I started strong for the first couple of laps but i had no answer to the big riders even on a course so ridiculously bias to my skills. No-one is as adept at sand as me yet i couldn't match them. It makes no logical sense to me how riders can be that strong. It's not fair. There's these big guys, roughly 2 years of space, then the rest of us just trying to not be eliminated most of the time.
Struuibai has been canceled. I can accept races not being safe to race, even those deemed safe often arn't as i found out first hand. I applaud the brave call to not run the race but doing so at such a late stage is poor form. Surfaces and race don't just alter overnight and this must have been known for almost a week, tell us then rather than waste everyones time. Certainly i'm now in trouble.
My team isn't greatly funded and as their bottom rider i have to fund most things myself. If the UCI and Coca-Cola don't pay out in the next day or so there's a strong chance i'll be stuck here until TMM Sports Management can get me some money. So the UCI has put me in a position where i might not make Lisbon and miss yet another event.
TMM Sports Management
Here's an announcement for all CycloCross riders. Following the cancelation of the Struuibai Cross event we got in contact with the volunteers to understand why. They feel the event can be run and that Coca-Cola and the UCI just don't want any problems should anyone crash.
We've got togeher with the local company who run the event and have decided to run the event with them as a non-UCI ranked race! If any riders are interested in taking part on the Struuibai course please let us know ASAP. It will be the same course but we will cut the distance in half, making it a 30minute event. Anyone is welcome to join Mikel Hammarling and Max Power and still have a race in South Africa.
Belgian Team BKCP - Poweprlus, one of the oldest Cyclo-Cross Teams in the bizz, supports the UCI in their decision. The race organization has not fulfilled the required criteria on the planned race day and would have not been able to on the reserve day.
In the interest of Lissabon and the remaining schedule, it was the wise decision to cancel the race for this season. BKCP - Powerplus hopes that Struibaai Cross will receive a slot next year again, and looks forward to racing there. We are sorry for the local public and the many african riders in the peloton, who looked forward to racing here.
However, we reject any interest in postponing Struibaai Cross, stating the extensive travel periods as our main concern.
"The CX calendar is full as it is, full of travel, full of planes, full of money drainage...", states BKCP team manager, "no point in squeezing another race into there. It may sound harsh, but Cook needs to learn to add 2 + 2 together, his demands are preposterous... there's simply no room left."
"Maybe next year, an additional race can be held somewhere in South Africa or a similiar place. For now, TMM Sports Management's solution is a welcome opportunity for the sport and the audience to make the most of it. Unfortunately, our team was on our way home as soon as we heard of the UCI decision in order to prepare for Lissabon."
Certainly an officially ranked replacement race by Coca-Cola, for example in Belgium, would be certainly supported by BKCP - Powerplus.
Edited by Shonak on 17-01-2015 19:38
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Hey guys, it's Lachy here with a bucketload of unnecessary jet-lag.
I'm kind of with Amadou and Cookie here, they can't wheel us off on a huge flight and then treat us like their toys, cancelling the race as soon as we get in the airport. I have a right mind to join Amadou and Cookie in quitting until something happens. Two of your top four and your most popular rider gone, how does that sound?
Anyway Ronnie got us in touch with TMM Sports and we are booked in to ride the unofficial race with Power and Hammarling. So count in Ronnie Hira, Tanē Tarawhira, Josiah Bennett and Lachy Bauer.
I haven't spoke with the others but I'm not riding like this. I'm not yours, to advertise Coke and have my passion cancelled.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Blazej Dobransky, the real grandpa in the peloton, has been seen riding the Struisbaai Cross parcour late in the evening, enjoying the wonderful view of South Africa's southern parts. Though almost getting robbed by some teenage gang guys, Dobransky was tough enough to fight them back. As a result, he got cut on multiple body parts. The recent violence in the otherwise calm region might have played a role in cancelling the Cross in last second.
Dobrasnky however is determined to ride the Struibaai Cross anyway, saying "I'm not going to let those Coke suckers and UCI clowns determine what I can, what I'm able to, what I'm allowed to race...", spilling his blood all over the hospital floor and shortly thereafter, passing out. Expect him still on the startline, when the race is up!
Also, Rik Van Fleming hopes for an advantage by the possible loss of some of the best CX riders in the business and likes the thought of racing only approximately 30 minutes. He'd like to participate as well.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Hafthor Eldfjallsson finds the whole situation very amusing, with UCI and riders going tit for tat. He already felt that the Coca-Cola Trophy was a bit of a joke, and this does not change hit attitude one bit.
Having prepared for the race a fair amount though, with his successful Antarctic training camp which really seems to have brought him into a strong fitness, he does not want to take a flight to Lisbon without a chance to let off some energy - so he has signed up to TMM Sports Management's showcase race.
He won't try too hard though, with a flight booked soon after, as Lisbon is a Superprestige race and is therefore an important target.
Christian is disappointed to miss out on a chance to make further improvements in the Coca-Cola Trophy. This cancellation increases the importance of previous rounds, and he is still disappointed with all that time lost in the first round down under. Form seemed to be in his favour, and it would have been a real chance to move into the Top 10.
He completely respects the UCI's decision, and is already on his way to Lisbon - on the same flight as BKCP - Powerplus.
Bakari has already left South Africa, and flown home to Libreville. His NamDeb CycloX Project team - who are just as annoyed about losing out on their home race as he is - are not entirely sure how to get into contact with Bakari again.
I'm still in Rio. I'm not in Africa. My team manager found a cheaper flight at the last second, he wanted us to have no time to prepare. But now I've been training, while they've all rushed themselves off to Africa. Still pretty mad at my manager, but at least he accidently did something right. So ummm.... you guys can worry about what's happening, I'll just keep training.
Coca-Cola, the main sponsor of the Coca-Cola Trophy, requests all cyclo-cross riders to calm down and let the situation cool. Struibaai Cross being canceled is unfortunate, but that's professional cross. Coca-Cola takes full responsibility for the failure in the organisation. Next year, Struibaai will definitely be on the calendar and it will be raced.
Coca-Cola also asks all riders to return to their daily business and not forsake the Coca-Cola Trophy. If not for the trophy, than do it for the fans. As a peace-offering, all plane tickets and hotel costs from the South African passage will be covered by Coca-Cola.
Rio Cross Challenge - Report
Hammer Time
TDF
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
