The past few days have been exhausting, first up was the Pepsi Struuibai Cross, which maybe possiblyslightly showed me a reason why the cancellation wasn't bad personally, it was more Ronnie's kind of race, but he was a bit switched off.
Next up was the flight to Lisbon and the pleasant surprise to find out that upon arrival the CX world hadn't descended into madness during my flight.!
Then, the race. I didn't get much training in before the race but that isn't an excuse for not sticking with Grandad, I really hopes he sticks around, he is a machine.
Our plan went up in flames from the start with Josiah god knows where and Ronnie and Tanē failing to get in any moves.
I had a strangely fast start, but so did everyone else. The rest is history.
I would also like to say get better soon to Franny, we aren't on the best of terms to put it mildly, but that was a nasty crash and the next few races will miss him, but it doesn't look to serious.
See you around!
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
I am beginning to get that tag of the eternal second or the arrogant bugger that cannot win or something along those lines. It's a fair point for someone who had been thereabouts so often I do struggle in these finales. Unlike many of the guys I really haven't got that much experience with the ins and outs of the finishes - I am told it is not always the strongest that wins, it is the guy with the most guile. It's fairly obvious who has it Mr. Gravedodger himself Dries Cornelis.
The world champ came up to me this morning and gave me a shake of the hand. He wanted to talk about Struibaii which I think was a bold move considering the atmosphere around the paddock. There were a few guys around us who were twitching uncomfortably I think Dries wanted to clear the air a bit with some of us. He had aired his disappointment before and I felt for him a bit, he outlined to me if it wasn't because of severe sponsor pressure he may well have stayed in South Africa with the other guys. I don't know whether to believe it but I certainly appreciated the guy coming over and chatting to me.
Not that this changed my game plan which was basically to try and stick to Dries's real derailler and blast him on the bridges. Unfortunately for me it damn well rained which made the Sand less of a trial - though I am going to have to get used to again naff weather as of course we are off to Blighty next! Anyhow I think I over cooked it to excuse the pun on the penultimate circuit and ran out of gas twoards the end. I don't think I had the beating of the old man here - he just owns this race. Jimmy Wheelsuck stuck with us good for him, when it comes to sticking to someones ass nobody does it better than Jimmy C.
Quite pleased that a lot of the rebels did well - I think some of the other peeps have had some of the emotion sucked out of them. I guess sucking up to the boss takes a lot of energy. Well what goes around comes around I guess - Franny Vague crashed - I think the lad is on a bit of a downward spiral at the moment. Funny though I really want him back to where he was - I'd like to give him a climbing lesson again!
I felt great today, despite the sand I finished fourth and I feel this form is a great sign for the upcoming races, I might even be able to grab my second win. I'm still placed as a dark horse to win in all 3 classifications.
I did see some of the stuff that happened to Vague and I am really sorry for him but that's racing, it's lucky that nothing has really effected anybody seriously up to this point and I wish him all the best and a swift recovery.
Well, it's official. Next year, Alpe d'Huez will be part of the Superprestige Cyclo-Cross. The route is yet to be revealed, but expect an icy profile, filled with climbs and lots of spectacle!
Winter hits Europe hard
While it's still well above 10°C in Portugal, Western Europe has been hit by the winter, finally. With the riders heading towards Britain for two World Cup races and a Superprestige event, temperatures are dropping below zero. Will we finally see the ice specialist come to the front?
The riders will be happy to avoid flying for two weeks, after which they'll have to go down Italy for the Aosta Valley.
Icorda Racing
The Belgian company Icorda, based in Ghent, has plans to step into the cyclo-cross world next season. The budget will be limited, but that won't stop them from forming a talented team.
Icorda is now looking for young talents to sign a contract. With the Blaarmeersen near and a unique indoor cyclo-cross training ground build by the company, young riders have a unique chance to develop within this team. All those interested can contact Icorda and come in for tests.
Normally you would think that to be called a 'crybaby' you would have to be moaning or complaining about something. Not in the world of Gregory Bernard! After those comments were made to the press, only one thing was certain in Lisbon - Christian Schiltz was going to beat Bernard, no matter what it took.
And after a fierce battle that is exactly what happened. It is understandable that Bernard has taken to wild media rants, as despite starting the season as clearly the better Luxembourg rider, recent races suggest his dethroning is coming even faster than expected. Schiltz has now beaten him in 3 consecutive races, making it 4 from the last 5 in the head to head battle.
It is clear that Schiltz will be leaving Corsio at the end of the season, to find a team with a less toxic atmosphere, and teammates who can actually be helpful - and be worthy of help in return. Having flown to Lisbon on the same plane as BKCP - Powerplus, we can speculate that talks may well have taken place. News of the new Icorda team could also be of interest.
Lisbon was hardly a success, after a first lap blast once again, but Hafthor's mind is on greater events. It's time to head north and return to Great Britain, and the beautiful prospect of ice and snow.
With confirmation of the addition of Alpe d'Huez to the Superprestige calendar, well, the newspapers are certainly being keenly read by the Icelandic rider each day. What great news will follow next?
Welcome to Great Britain once again. We're in Bristol, ready for the fourth race of the World Cup. The riders face one of the most diverse races of the season. The battle for the victory in the World Cup is far from over, but then someone needs to step up quickly, before Cornelis is gone with the wind.
Race Information
Country: Great Britain
City/Place: Bristol
Classification: World Cup
Starting Time (Elite Men): 14h30
Favorites: Shay Gormley, Jack Smith, James Carlisle, Dries Cornelis, Elliot Cook, Rudy Verboven, Matt Mazzarelli.
Record: 4x Pieter Gasthuys (1988, 1990, 1994, 1995)
Race History: Bristol has the infamous reputation of producing the most surprising winners. Only three riders have won the race twice, a ridiculous amount considering it's been around since the late fifties. The race makes a comeback after it was scratched in 1996. The greatest cyclo-cross rider in history, Pieter Gasthuys, raised his arms here four times.
Route Information
Technical: 5
Sand: 2
Uphill: 4
Cobblestones: 3
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? The profile resembles the old one, but it makes a comeback with more climbing than before.
The current weather can have a big influence on the race, though. Experts think it'll freeze. And that might open up opportunities for riders who have been waiting for ice all season long!
We're here for both the post-Lisbon comments and pre-Bristol race with the world champion, who is still feeling good about his win in Lisbon. 'I'm obviously very happy I could maintain my record here. It's been a good race for me and I'm glad that I can still count on local support.'
In Bristol it's a whole different thing though. 'I'm aware of the smaller support there. However, the technicality of the race and my current form should still provide me a good result. After all, I've got a lead to defend here and gaining points would pretty much ensure me of the overall here.'
The ice provides a different scenario though. 'It's a totally new thing this season, to race on ice, and it'll be interesting to see what the specialists, including my team mate here (Hakinnen, red.) can do.'
I'm standing here with Naveed Alinejad, one of the young talents of the cross peloton, who's ready for a totally new experience. 'I've never ridden on ice before, so it'll be tough for me to ride over it. Nevertheless I hope for a good start so I can get a small gap before the hills. Hopefully that'll get me in the points again.'
I've never really about how things were being recieved back home, I don't really look too much at the internet or indeed in the local press so it was some surprise to me at the incredible reception we got when we arrived in Blighty. I was completely humbled by the experience at the airport and I quickly realised that much of the crowds were to see me.
I am an arrogant git who frankly gave up on real life cycling and went into this comic book world of cross for a bit of a jolly if I am to be honest. But it seems as if one of the suits in the offices is doing something right because cross has taken off big time here in the UK. I feel a bit strange to be somewhat of a figurehead, I mean Jackie Smith and Jimmy C have been around the block a whiles in this cross lark but they seem unknown to the masses in the main. I guess my little stunt in South Africa may have got me some of the following.
Anyway thanks to the fans - I do think cross is a great sport to follow and participate in. Cycling of course is huge here now and I guess this just feeds off that passion.
Bristol next, I had written off this British part of the merry go round as not really great for me. I am finding though as seen pretty much in every race that I can ride the pants off of this useless lot on the lumpy stuff. No secret I am going to do it again on the mainly street circuit down in the west country. I have my doubts that I can convert it to a win as the course design spoilsports have put some really nasty sections in there.
I am unsure of the weather, there are plenty of northern europeans out there sporting very red sunburn they'll love this cold snap. God knows why anyone wants to ride in these conditions but that is I am told traditionally what crossers do. Nutters - probably explains why most of these buggers can't really ride for toffee.
I'll have to warn the lager lout Belgian guys including that drunkard Verbovan about Cider - it's disgusting of course but thats all they serve in some of these Bars and they'll be sure to be drowning their sorrows most likely - the old git I think is going to whip our butts as usual.
Well,Christian is supporting capitalist,fascist and racist UCI so I think this might be classified as 'crybaby'.Because,what? 'Because UCI has the power'.Oh and he should love Vague another crybaby who is from BKCP-Powerplus.So no surprise that they flew together.He beated me in Lisbon but none of us got any points for Superprestige that day.
Btw,about the race I hope to get into the top 10,beat Schiltz and enter to the top 10 World Cup overall.
The user formerly known as 'The Schleck Fan' Gracias Alberto.
The weather has certainly changed since our last race in Great Britain. Then, nobody was a match for Robert Wells, who has been underperforming ever since. Today, it's 10 degrees colder and the ground is covered with ice. It has rained all day yesterday and this night the freezing temperatures turned all the rain to ice.
We're already at our 13th race of the season. James Carlisle is leading the Superprestige, Elliot Cook is leading the Coca-Cola Trophy and Dries Cornelis is way ahead in this World Cup. This shows the new diversity of this sport. We won't see a new leader in the World Cup today. Cornelis is already more than one race victory ahead. An unusual achievement after only 3 races. But there are 6 races left, so don't rule anything - or anyone - out just yet!
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: -1° C
Precipitation: Dry
Wind: 0 - 1 Beaufort
Start Line: No Francis N. Vague. We're reaching in the dark about the prodigy's health at the moment. All we know is that he won't participate in today's race. This means he'll probably drop out the top 10 in the classification. Dries Cornelis is talking to the Belgian media, still 2 minutes before the start. Cook looks concentrated. We don't see a whole lot of fans of Cook here today. Great Britain is divided on this matter. You either love Cook, or you hate him. Today, the odds are not in his favor.
We just receive the news that Rudy Verboven, 2nd in the classification, is a non-starter for today. We have no information on his motivation as yet. And there's Carlisle, he's cutting it close, arriving only a minute before the start. Now he needs to find his way to the front line, where he may start.
Lap 1: Just in time for the start! The ice will make for an interesting race today. 8th in the World Cup Hafthor Eldfjallsson is off to a great start, as we've come to expect of him. Though the young Nic Hashir is faster still. He's sprinting towards that first corner. And he's the first to take it... Oh he goes down! The road is really slippery here, and Hashir is no ice specialist, that much is certain. He takes down Eldfjallsson with him. He's back on his feet soon enough, but this has cost him about 15 places.
Sven Welling takes the lead of the race and increases the pace.
The first long climb. It's dangerous with the frost, it requires real skill to stay on your bike here. If you slip, you're running all the way to the top. The downhill is an even riskier affair.
Mikel Hammarling is right behind Welling, hiding behind his sunglasses. The sun on the ice and snow gets increasingly annoying for some riders, understandably.
With this frost, the sand has been reduced to pure ice. Unfortunate for the sand lovers.
Lap 2: We'll have 11 laps, we didn't expect that. It's a real tough profile and with 11 laps we'll be out for more than 65 minutes. Brace yourselves for a long race today.
Hafthor Eldfjallsson is spotted about 20 seconds behind the head of the race, in 10th position. World Cup leader Cornelis is in 8th position at the moment.
Lap 3: Eldfjallsson with a sense of risk in the downhill, he's already in 5th position and only 5 seconds behind Sven Welling now. Timi Kokkonen moves up to fourth place, while Kimi Hakinnen is in 6th position.
Ouch and Cornelis hits the dirt! Well, the ice actually. He looks like he hurt his elbow, but he gets back on his bike nonetheless.
And there is an attack! Eldfjallsson goes to the front and attacks. Though he's not going full throttle, I think it was more to tackle the climb first.
They're at the top, and now Eldfjallsson throws himself downhill. What a skill on this terrain, it's formidable to watch. Hakinnen latches himself to his wheel and follows. Hammarling wisely takes back some gas and descends carefully.
Lap 5: Neither Hakinnen or Eldfjallsson want to keep up the effort so they get caught again. We get a front group now, consisting of Kokkonen, Hakinnen, Hammarling, Carlisle, Welling, Eldfjallsson and Bernard. Well, these are some different names than we're used to...
Bernard, who has just caught up, moves to the front immediately and drops a small bomb. Who's going to react? Interestingly, only Carlisle has an interest in the classification. The rest is just here for the victory of the day. So Carlisle sets up the chase.
Bernard is 5 seconds in front. Carlisle is doing all the chasing. Meanwhile, Gormley has fallen a third time and abandons. Ireland doesn't love the ice.
Lap 6: Bernard changes bikes and does it somewhat clumsy. This allows Carlisle and the entire group to return. Vladimir Stoyevski and Dries Cornelis already follow on 21 seconds. I think our winner is within these seven here!
And we hear Power has abandoned, too. Is he saving energy for the next race or did something happen, we don't know. Maybe it's the cold.
Lap 7: We're around halfway the race, and everyone's so focused on staying on the bike that we have no attacks. The seven are all taking turns but as soon as someone thinks about attacking, a wheel slips away. Accelerating is not easy to do on this ground.
And now it has started to snow. Some riders are really suffering because of the cold. More abandons. World Cup gives points to the first 25, but will 25 finish today? We wonder.
Lap 8: Who's going to take some intiative here? Meanwhile, the front group already has 32 seconds on Dries Cornelis. Don't let someone tell you anything different: the strongest 7 are at the front today.
In the background, Cook is moving up a few places. He's not taking any risks, but manages to move up steadily thanks to his uphill riding.
And now we've an attack, a real one! Mikel Hammarling, the Ice Prince, rushes away. Hakinnen reacts. Eldjfallsson keeps Hakinnen's wheel. And when Hakinnen reacts, so will Kokkonen, that much is known!
Victims of this attack are Welling, Bernard and Carlisle. They will have to chase now. Interesting development, as the entire Team Odfjell is at the front now, riding against Hakinnen.
Lap 9: We're going to measure the time difference again. With three laps to go, this is how it stands:
The rest isn't even worth mentioning at this point.
Meanwhile, we wonder whether Bakari has a television at home. Is he watching this and is he happy he's at home in his retirement? If he's watching, he must feel bad for his team mates, who've all been lapped on this icy profile today.
Odfjell is playing the team game. They attack, taking turns. Hakinnen has to react constantly, but he's managing just fine. What a strong ride from the Fin.
Oh and Christian Schiltz comes into the technical area disillusioned. The hard parcours has broken him, it seems. He puts his bike against the fence and steps over it. Over and out for Schiltz. His first ice race was not a success.
Lap 10: We have a few nasty turns now. Eldfjallsson takes his turns with incredible style. Hakinnen is glued to his wheel. Kokkonen makes a steering mistake! Hammarling gets caught behind him. The Icelandic rider and the Fin are gone! Hammarling passes Kokkonen and tries to bridge the gap, but it's already up to 30 meters! Hammarling sees his team mate ride away with Hakinnen.
Let's take a look at the classification, before the big finale begins. Carlisle is doing a good job today, he will finish first of the top 10. Cornelis is still riding inside the top 10 now, too. He's not having the best day, though. Cook is a few places behind, Mazzarelli even further behind, he's riding with Lipawsky.
Now we turn our eyes back to the front. The two leaders are approaching the 11th and final lap.
Lap 11: The bell rings, this is the final lap! Kokkonen and Hammarling are working well together, being team mates. If they can bridge the gap to their other team mate, they are 3 against one again. But Hakinnen has been strong enough to withstand the team game so far. Now he's in direct duel with Eldfjallsson. Eldfjallsson is still playing the team card, though. Hakinnen has to make the pace, Eldfjallsson can just keep his wheel and wait for Hammarling and Kokkonen to come back.
Hakinnen attacks now, he wants to shake off Eldfjallsson. He answers the attack with style. We're already at 65 minutes, what a long race this is.
Hammarling and Kokkonen won't return to the front of the race. That's bad news for Eldfjallsson, who will have to do it alone now. Kokkonen and Hammarling should look back now, with Bernard, Carlisle and Welling making the pace.
The final hill. Eldfjallsson just refuses to relay, with reason. Hakinnen seems done with attacking, I think he's putting it all on a sprint.
Wow! Eldfjallsson flies past him right before the top and throws himself in the descend. What a risky move! Hakinnen, ignoring all risks now, too, rushes after him. A turn, another turn, and now they turn onto the final straight road. 300 m left. Eldfjallsson has 10 meters on Hakinnen. It must be frustrating for the Fin, he doesn't have Eldfjallsson's wheel for the sprint. He doesn't get any nearer. Eldfjallsson sprints from the saddle. Hakinnen comes a bit closer now...
But he's come too late! Eldfjallsson can't believe it himself. He looks next to him. Don't doubt yourself, lad, you did it, you won! What a close sprint it was in the end. Hakinnen with a formidable last move but he came too late.
Kokkonen and Hammarling sprint for the honor, side by side. That's nice to see, considering they're from the same team. 1, 3 and 4 for Team Odfjell, what a day!
Bernard concludes the top 5. Carlisle, Welling. Then we wait.
Vladimir Stoyevski, invisible throughout the entire season, takes place 8 today, he has passed Cornelis in the final 300. Cornelis finishes 9th and saves most of his lead in the World Cup. Only Carlisle managed to get closer.
So that was surprising, especially the first half. None of us knew who to protect if Ronnie fell off, as he is obviously our World Cup hope. In the end we didn't ride for anyone, as we were all distanced out. I had a shockingly good race, considering I've only rode for an hour on ice like that twice before, and it was nothing special.
See you guys soon,
Josiah
Ronnie Hira
So I'm still tied for fourth in the World Cup, but I'm only two points off Jackie. Dries is running away with this and with no Rudy here that was only ever going to increase. My bad start coupled with the fact that despite being a Cobbled Quadruple winner I've never ridden on ice before this season of CX really meant I was in for suffering here.
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
I know i've spent the past weeks complaining that i'm not suited to CX and can't get results. Well i took 3rd place in Bristol which is a great result. But it's just added to my feelings... The course wasn't classic CX. It was solid and frozen and demanding but also had serious paved sections. Honeslty it looked more like the Ronde than a CX event!
My team had a great event but then we are all Ice specialists and the temparatures have plumeted. Lee Valley could be another Ice race and another chance to do well. If i don't get stuck behind my teammate again i reckon i can take a win with some luck. Hopefully it's a good race and i'll be giving it everything because the day after is the ExCel race which i'm gonna hate to race, doesn't suit me at all.
Power
Get me the hell out of here! The water has frozen, i repeat frozen! It's a nightmare and i want to get out now. I HATE the cold weather. Obviously my teammates love this and the Frozen related jokes are focing me to consider murder. The next time someone sings Let It Go at me i will throw a kettle through their face. Seriously guys it's not clever.
Apart from that it's ok.... Which is... ermm... Don't know really. I think the ExCel race will be ok. The course will be a good chance to improve my technical skills and obsticle riding whilst inside in a heated environment. I miss Texas so much right now... F*cking cold weather...
it's been some while since I contested in an elite race. I've said I'd only do belgian, dutch and french races this season but when Lotto-Fidea asked me to participate in the british races, I felt like it was the a great opportunity.
I've scored some decent results in the U23 meanwhile. I got a podium once but havn't scored a win. The U23 competition is increasingly open since Vague has left. I feel I'll have a shot in of the upcoming races. Maybe. For that, the Elite races are a nice training.
I think I did good throughout the race. Though I'm far from being a specialist, I handled myself alright and even scored points. My first 8 points. That's probably got more to do with the high list of abandoments but nonetheless, IÄ'm very proud to have made it through this tricky, difficulty parcour.
I'm very happy right now at Lotto-Fidea. There have been rumours that I might join Icorda Racing. I've spoken to anybody yet, so there are simply rumours. Of course my contract is running out this season but Lotto-Fidea will remain my first contact when it comes to my future.
Newslfash: Sven Welling
Like last time, Sven Welling - again - rose to new heights, as Vague was still missing because of his recent injury in Lisbon. Welling was here to save the day for BKCP - Powerplus though. A strong start helpded him over the laps of the race, to eventually finish 7th. Welling is now ranked 13th overall, just 3 points behind his much younger comrade Vague. He is likely to top him in the next World Cup race. A special moment for Welling?
"No. I'm glad that I'm doing good in the World Cup so far, but Vague had some immense bad luck in Lisbon, and has missed his second World Cup race now." Asked whether Vague will start in Lee Valley, Welling has no response. "I do not know, I hope he will. But with the ice, hm, the doctors may advise him to properly heal. I know how bad it is when you start a race even if your injury isn't gone, it's dangerous."
Welling was also quick to applaud the ice specialists. "It's almost a whole different sport. True specialists prevailed today. It was a great show on the ice. Team Odjfell is impressive in that regard."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
This was it, the first icy race of the season. Pure heaven. Many riders were quaking in their cleats prior to the start - could these be suitable conditions for a bike race? Oh, yes! Even the ice specialists were sure to feel a little rusty ahead of the first race of the season. Well, all except Hafthor Eldfjallsson. While others got sun burnt in Rio, Hafthor was of course training in Antarctica - invaluable practice on the ice and snow.
The difference was clear as soon as the race begun as Hafthor drifted right to the front despite not even trying. His tactic was specifically to avoid being near the very front at the first corner, but that's what happened, and disaster! That idiot Hashir went and crashed into Eldfjallsson.
No worries though, as the 20 second deficit was quickly wiped out. Time to settle in for the long run, it was a 12 lap race after all. But not before establishing that nobody could touch him on that perilous downhill section.
The race soon boiled down to 3 Odfjell riders and 4 challengers. And then 3 Odfjell and just 1 challenger. A guaranteed win for the team surely! At least, until clumsy Kokkonen took himself and Hammarling out of contention.
This played to Hafthor's advantage and entering the final lap, it was him and Hakinnen, with Hafthor able to sit on. Well, Hafthor was always more of a Coulthard fan, and wasn't about to see a Hakinnen victory right in front of his eyes. The business end of the race was unknown territory for both riders. And not just any race, but a World Cup race!
The plan was set. Attack just before the top of the final hill, and bomb the descent. Hafthor's explosivity may be too blunted for a full on sprint after such a gruelling race, but there was enough for that huge effort.
It worked and incredible, a win! Hafthor still can't quite believe it. He has almost a week now to celebrate and let it sink in - plenty of reasons to be happy on the team bus tonight. Let's just hope the cold front remains til next weekend!
As introductions to icy racing go, this could hardly be much tougher! It's a good job there are no Coca-cola races in Great Britain this year, as it means the pressure is very much off over the next couple of weeks for Schiltz. It's all a good learning experience for future seasons, when Schiltz will be more interested in competing at the front regularly.
And looking at how the race played out at the front, it will be a good opportunity for Gregory Crybaby Bernard's ego to further inflate as well. As we're in Britain, perhaps Bernard will seek out an Oxford Dictionary and improve his grasp of the English language, and what words actually mean!
Lee Valley VeloPark. A controversial profile, to say the least. The lap is shorter than officially allowed but with permission from the UCI. Expect 15 laps of sheer excitement, as the Lee Valley cross starts with a mad downhill race. Much has been writter about this, but here we are. Starting with a crazy downhill is unseen and might start a cangerous precedent. Let's hope nobody gets hurt here.
Race Information
Country: Great Britain
City/Place: Lee Valley VeloPark
Classification: Superprestige
Starting Time (Elite Men): 15h30
Favorites: Timi Kokkonen, Timi Hakinnen, Hafthor Eldfjallsson, Mikel Hammarling.
Record: 3x Dries Cornelis (2004, 2006, 2007)
Race History: Lee Valley has hosted five races already, running from 2003 to 2007. It went quiet after that. Now they're back with an adjusted profile. Its route has been the topic of many controversial discussions.
Route Information
Technical: 2
Sand: 3
Uphill: 4
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 lap completes halfway the 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 main obstacle is the downhill, many believe. With the continuing frost, this might pose a problem for the race organisation. Will we see a second canceled race in 2 weeks?
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: -1° C
Precipitation: Dry
Wind: 0 Beaufort
I'll get it out with in the open right away: Seeing as how Lee Valley is likely to turn into an icy, danger-filled event full of crashes in a tight-crowded peloton, I've decided to skip Lee Valley, thus burying my Superprestige hopes for this year.
Though I've made good progress and I was lucky to not have gotten a serious injury to my arm, my doctors still advised me to not take part. I listen to reason in this case, as my gut tells me the same. A single crash in such a downhill could pretty much ruin my season all together.
The earliest race I plan to take part in again is Aosta Valley in Italy, where I'll be hoping to defend my current podium place in the Coca-Cola Trophy and return to winning ways. The World Championships in Valkenburg now shine even brigther as my season highlight as they did before. I'm already back to training and I enjoy the little stay in Belgium as well.
I also like to thank the support of my fans. I was greeted by a great crowd at the airport in Brussels and received lots of heart-warming recovery wishes. Though I'm aware of your hopes for the Superprestige, it's a decision I had to made in talk with my parents, the doctors and my team.
As it stands, Superprestige is pretty much over for me.
Edited by Shonak on 25-01-2015 13:00
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Well it is a good job I am back home it took some special attention from my gf to entice my balls back out of my belly after that freeze fest down in Bristol. It was certainly a nut freezingly nasty round the city circuit and it would seem as if my posse are fair weather fans. But to be fair I continue to get quite the reception as I travel round the country thanks for that.
Unfortunately the headlines here in the UK are going to be the cold weather - at the moment the nutters have taken over at the front. I don't mean offence here really the ice men are a particular breed - who have been waiting for this part of the season. They probably had their double glazed rhino skin or something coz they just don't feel the cold and know how to skate their bikes on the ice.
There is some talk about Lee Valley being off - I have had a quick reccie of the course and can confirm there is what appears to be a ski jump at the beginning of the race. Other than that it is probably fine - but I have massive concerns about the start I don't think anyone wants that what will likely be a crash fest. I'll give it a try I guess, but I will be taking it tentative as I did in Bristol - I am not some desperado going after a prostitute like some of the cross bozo's.
There does seem to be lots of media coverage here on Franny Vague - proving once again he is suits mistress really. They are probably hoping the oid git keeps his ticker going for long enough to hand over the mantle to little Franny. I'll be interested to see what Cornelis says about Lee Valley - the guy is the boss - I get the feeling if he says FU to it they'll change else not. He is their golden goose.
I wanted to assure my fans that I will be down at Excel, but I'll likely watch the stunt exibition of tricks. Apparrently they are calling what they are doing there a race - I am not going to call it that though. I think the idea is a decent one to hold it in an arena, but you could be a bit more creative with it. Ship some shyte in for a start and less of the monkey bars - for pete's sake we aint stuntmen.
Anyway back to me gf - the cow wants me to take her shopping and here is me thinking I had found someone low maintenance. A few days back and I am looking forward to getting back on the road again.
Race organisers of the upcoming Lee Valley cross have given ears to the worries of the some the riders. The Superprestige event won't take any chances and scratches the downhill start. Instead, the race will start at the 100m final straight. This means a start at percentages up to 10%, but it's preferable to an insane downhill in this weather.
Race organisers have also announced they'll be putting salt on the downhill road to melt the ice. The rest of the parcours won't be touched and will remain frozen. The head of the Superprestige applauds the race for its decisions, calling it 'brave management'.
The Lee Valley cross can be followed on Sporza. The broadcast starts at 15h. World Champion Dries Cornelis tops the list of starters.
Hey guys, it's Lachy,
Well I see since Mistress quit they fix his problems. This wasn't unexpected or out of character, just plain infuriating. And yes, all of us except Josiah and I were going to quit but now we aren't. However, we are still not taking any chances on this course. So thanks Franny, wouldn't it be nice to have a Belgian regularly on our side?
See you guys at the race,
Lachy
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The UCI are setting a dangerous precedent by tampering with the course. Ice is a vital terrain that all cyclo-cross riders should be able to ride on if they are to consider themselves a complete rider, and applying salt to the route is an awful decision. Where was the attempt to reduce the amount of sand in Rio? Or the amount of mud in other races? Shall we shorten all hills on the remaining races of the calendar as well?
This stinks of the established authorities not liking the emergence of Team Odfjell at the top of the Bristol World Cup race, and desperately trying to alter the route so that the 'regulars' can battle for victory in every single race of the season.
Edited by SportingNonsense on 25-01-2015 12:54
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