Welcome all to this finishing spectacle of the 2014 - 2015 cyclo-cross season. Today you have a chance to see all your heroes in action on the football pitch, and this is, of course, all for a good cause. Maybe this is a chance for those riders left behind without a win this season to get their win on another pitch.
Team Cookie, led by Elliot Cook, has chosen a 4-4-2 formation. Hammarling will defend the goal. Cornelis, Cook, Dobransky and Visconti are the defenders. Bauer, Sylvain Lipawsky, Alinejad and Bollinger serve on the midfield and their two strikers are Van Fleming and Bennett. Subs are Schiltz, Van Hennep and Vermeulen.
Team Cookie will play in the dark outfits.
Team Vague-a-bond, lead by Francis N. Vague, will play with a 4-3-3 formation. Retired cyclo-cross rider Jack Smith wanted to say goodbye to the sport with this match and will be the goalkeeper. Defenders are Mazzarelli, Welling, Carlisle and Hira. Midfielders are Gormley, Pierre Lipawsky and Eldfjallsson. Faizullah and Vague serve as wingers and the striker will be Moli. Subs are Bakari, Van Vliet and Muller.
Team Vague-a-bond plays in the white jersey.
Full line-up:
Team Cookie
Team Vague-a-bond
GK
Mikel Hammarling
GK
Jack Smith (retired)
RB
Dries Cornelis
RB
Matt Mazzarelli
CD
Elliot Cook
CD
Sven Welling
CD
Blazej Dobransky
CD
James Carlisle
LB
Guido Visconti
LB
Ronnie Hira
RM
Lachy Bauer
LM
Shay Gormley
DM
Sylvain Lipawsky
AM
Pierre Lipawsky
LM
Naveed Alinejad
RM
Hafthor Eldfjallsson
AM
Michael Bollinger
CF
Rik Van Fleming
RW
Tariq Faizullah
CF
Josiah Bennett
CF
Mustafa Moli
LW
Francis Vague
SUBS:
Christian Schiltz
SUBS:
Amadou Bakari
Lars Van Hennep
Sven Van Vliet
Milan Vermeulen
Frederick Muller
The players enter the arena. It's nice to see some of them so enthusiast about this game. The stadium is sold out completely, all for the good cause. This will be a beautiful evening!
So what can we expect? We've heard there are some riders, or today they're players, out there that are actually not that bad. Mustafa Moli is said to be quite a striker and a talented dribbler. Rik Van Fleming isn't half bad, too, as a striker.
We're happy to be here and the atmosphere is fantastic. Get your beers and sit down, the match is about to begin. Referee is none other than ex-crosser Daan Huys, who has chosen a second career after retiring from cyclo-cross as football referee in the Jupiler Pro League of Belgium.
The teams are in black and white jerseys, though to make it easier to follow this match, members of the white team 'Team Vague-a-bond, will be highlighted in Blue, while 'Team Cookie', the black jerseys, will be highlighted in red!
0': Team Cookie wins the coin toss. Cook looks especially pleased with that. The captains shake hands. Cook and Vague actually get along quite well, though not in the field, and we don't expect them to give presents today, either. These are true sportsman, they want to win, whatever they're playing.
Van Fleming passes the ball to Bennett and the game is on! Team Cookie, the black jerseys, pass the ball around casually. An easy start of this game.
2': A first attack. Michael Bollinger fulfills his role as attacking midfielder and out-dribbles Shay Gormley. Van Fleming is free on the right... but he shoots, just over the crossbar! The 'oohs' of the crowd are a sound of appreciation!
7': Hafthor Eldfjallsson with an amazing long pass to Francis Vague, who now speed towards the goal. Guido Visconti does his job well as a defender and tackles. The ball rolls away and is picked up by Ronnie Hira, who's come way back from the defense here. He crosses the bar towards goal. Eldfjallsson with his head. GOAL! A first goal! It's 0 - 1
11': Team Cookie is trying to get organised. Cornelis doesn't impress as much as on the bike and gives away the ball after a bad pass. Mustafa Moli takes the opportunity. He shoots from just outside the penalty area. GOAL! Amazing shot by the Namibian! Wow, the crowd is giving him a standing ovation for this one! 0 - 2
13': Dobransky with a real strange move, he just gives back the ball to the opposition.
17': It's time for Team Cookie to fight back. And that's what they're doing. Michael Bollinger sees that Jack Smith is too far from his goal and shoots the ball high... It goes in the goal, fantastic. GOAL! 1 - 2. We're actually seeing some great football out there!
19': Francis Vague wants revenge. He meets Cook face to face, once again. He passes the ball to Moli, who takes the ball and dribbles Cornelis. Only the goalkeeper left. Hammarling saves! Close one, but great reflexes!
26': Gormley with a great pass on Vague! He gets backed into the corner flag by Guido Visconti. Oh - what beautiful move, as Vague puts the ball through the defender's legs and surprises him. He crosses... GOAL! Gormley was completely free and put the ball in with a nice volley! 1 - 3
31': A first card. Yellow for Alinejad, who had no choice but to tackle Moli, who's quick as a cat out here on the field. If it wasn't for his African Title, I'd actually recommend him switching to football instead of cyclo-cross!
34': We're seeing some great duels out here. Faizullah has problems getting past Cook. The defender wins the battle and passes the ball deep, way down the pitch! Into the feet of Bennett. He tries to dribble... But gets tackled by Sven Welling. Penalty!
35': Rik Van Fleming will be taking the penalty. The crowd holds their breath. He shoots. GOAL! In the left corner! 2 - 3.
39': Both sides look like they've having fun. We're seeing some impressive football, but others just kick the ball away as they see fit. A ball gets dropped inside the box. Alinejad picks it up and GOAL! Things are equal again! 3 - 3.
42': With only three minutes left, both sides are slowing down a bit. Tiredness now leaves its mark. Vague tries to motivate his team, but his close friend and team mate Welling gives him a strange look. As if to say: "do you always have to be so competitive and motivated?" The kid won't take it easy, what can we say, he wants to win!
42': Offside for Van Fleming. Too bad, he had half a good chance here.
44': Final attack of the first half. Mustafa Moli gets the ball from Faizullah and finds his way into the box. He shoots. Hammarling with cat reflexes! But Pierre Lipawsky picks it up in the rebound and GOAL! Perfect time to score, right before half time. 3 - 4.
45': Huys blows his whistle. It's half time. We've seen some great action out here. For a bunch of cyclo-crossers, this can count!
45': We're ready for the second half. Any changes? Well, yes, Vague took Carlisle off and replaced him with Amadou Bakari. The crowd is going wild. The rider from Gabon has become one of the most popular riders this season. But can he kick a ball?
52': Cook decides to up the tempo and put the pressure on the other team. He moves forward and gives the ball deep and wide. Alinejad picks it up and dribbles Hira. Well, it sort of was a dribble. He's rushing towards the goal now. He shoots! An excellent save by Smith!
53': And Team Vague-a-bond with a counterattack! Smith kicks the ball all across the field, into the feet of Shay Gormley. The Irish player runs hard... A beautiful through ball. Into Moli's feet. He shoots... Into the right corner. GOAL! 3 - 5.
55': Corner kick for Team Cookie, now. But the cross is bad and the ball goes out...
56': Mikel Hammarling is not happy, having to turn around to pick up the ball so much. He urges his team forward and kicks it deep. Bollinger heads it to Bennett. He moves forward... He shoots and... so close! The ball bounces back on the crossbar.
64': Things have slown down a bit, so the crowd sets in a mexican wave. The atmosphere is unbelievable. It's great to be a part of this!
65': More subs, now. Vague has brought in Muller instead of Gormley. Cook switched Bennett. Christian Schiltz is playing on his position, now. Let's hope he can score some goals, here!
68': But the goals are all at the other side of the pitch, now. Moli is unstoppable and scores another one. A shot with his left foot. GOAL! 3 - 6. A hattrick for the Namibian!
72': Schiltz seems keen to make his move, now. He gets the ball from Van Fleming and looks ready to shoot. Instead of shooting, he passes it back, the defender was not expecting this and slides away. Van Fleming shoots hard... And scores! GOAL! 4 - 6.
76': More changes. Van Hennep replaces Dobransky. Vermeulen replaces Bauer. Van Vliet takes the place of Welling. In a match like this, it's only logical to bring every player into the game.
81': Mazzarelli with a most impressive tackle! He crosses the ball for Van Vliet to pick it up. He passes it right on to Faizullah, who passes it in one time to Moli. Moli dribbles Cook. Hammarling already looks annoyed. He sees another goal coming. But Moli passes it back to Faizullah, who tries to shoot in one time, but can't hit the ball very well. Too bad for the Afghan player.
83': A corner kick for Team Vague-a-bond. They're dictating this match now. Vague drops the ball in the box perfectly. Mazzarelli heads it in the goal. He can score here, GOAL! 4 - 7.
88': It looks like we're heading towards a victory for Team Vague-a-bond. But that shouldn't affect the mood. Everyone is still happy to be here.
90': One final attack from Sylvain Lipawsky, who passes the ball back to Cook. The captain wants to make a goal, too. He's actually a fast runner, and he's gotten himself just outside the penalty box. He shoots! GOAL! Amazing goal, or rather bad goalkeeping from Smith. But that shouldn't matter here. 5 - 7.
90': Huys blows his whistle a final time. Game over! It's been a fantastic match. And the score? In this Football Against Cancer, there's no room for losers. Thanks for being here with us. A fantastic way to end the season, we discovered some talents here. See you next year!
After the football match, which was great fun, I even managed to nab an assist from a long cross, I drove to the (road) team hotel for the Belgian opening weekend.
After meeting up with everyone after not being at the January training camp for obvious reasons, it was time for recon and then the big day arrived.
Despite having the Oceanic summer races, I'm one of the purists that really thinks this is the start of the season. Sure, there's the other races and the're fun, but it really kicks in now.
Good start to the race, and at 50km to go I followed a big attack, and in the end me and a young Belgian kid made a selection of 20. Unfortunately I didn't have a teammate to help.
I held on but when the killer attack was made I was surprised to find I didn't have the legs, and in the end I sprinted to 8th in the main favorites group.
The bosses chatted to me after, asking me if I had any notions why I couldn't follow. I dismissed it as an off day, but I see what they were getting at. See, they never fully approved of me putting as much dedication as I do into CX, they want it to be strictly fitness, but I want to do it properly.
I had lead-out duties in Kuurne, but insane winds left me stranded solo for the last 10km. I took 12th.
Again, a long chat with the boss, and he now verbalised that I might be tired from CX. I said no,h e said yes and I said I'll have this conversation again after Roubaix. He wasn't happy but I've forced it. Hope it goes well in the big four then?
Anyway, where was I? Oh, hi there, I'm Milan Listerijn and I've just been told I'm stepping up to play with the big boys. That's right, I've got a contract for the next season in the elites, but... it's complicated. There's some kind of merge/swap/transfer/fold/stay on stuff I don't know about, so I can't reveal anything just yet.
So whatever, I guess you want a better introduction. I'm gonna be straight up with the infamous bit: I was a kid, almost 17, when I made the still-defining performance of my career: A second place. Twas a special second place, as it was to Francis N. Vague and I was 53 or so seconds ahead of third. True, I was 25 behind Francis but he's a beastly probably illegal in some countries boss on the ice, and so it has dominated my youthful career thus fa
That was my last race in the fabled red, yellow and black. I'd love to tell you why I left, but I can't. As in, I'm not allowed and I don't want to yet. It's spawned a lot of theories I don't want to talk about right now.
Anyway, skip to the good bit, I made my return in the U-23 World Championships in January and I took fourth, which was OK actually with rusty form and my first race at that level, actually ever.
Anyway, pleasingly I took wins in Trondheim and Dunkerque and I've impressed enough for the big leagues, which I'm stoked with so early on in my career.
Anyway, bye for now, I'm sure we'll see a lot of each other now I've got this blog going here full-time and I've been picked up by J7Sports.
Edited by jandal7 on 03-10-2015 09:40
They think it's all over... it is now. The season finally ends with ole' Cookie at relative peace with himself. I've been through the ringer this year that has to be said but now I am getting to the stage of saying this is me and this is what I freaking do.
I have been debating an offer from a road squad in the last couple of weeks - a big Pro-Continental team wanted to bring me in as they fancied my chances as a big punchy rider. I was tempted the wage offer was good and there was that chance of breaking into that realm. But it didn't sit great with me, I feel like I wanna go and re-write the rulebook here in CX and I think we have the guys to start doing this.
Francis Vague is the hottest thing in the sport bar none - this guys potential is endless. A great technical rider who is rapid uphills, he also has a lot of fight in him for a young 'un. The brat sort of had that teenage grump on at stages in the year and will need to grizzle up a bit - if he can this guy can be the new dominator for sure.
Michael Bollinger has really been a bit of a end of season starlet, this guy is the master of the shyte right now. He needs to add a few more fiddles to his bow and rather than screwing around up the shyte path he could do with losing a few pounds. Still he is a good un, and I guess is welcome to few brewskis over the break.
Matty Mazzerelli is a likable rogue too and the Italian darling brings all that med melodrama to proceedings. I thought I hated the cold but this guy just hates it - thought he was a bit of a pussy early doors but I have to be fair if I can't stand the cold this guy must be absolute infertile by now. He has kept coming back and got his big win near season end. Richely deserved I say.
Lachy Bauer I really connected with in South Africa, he has a gob on him don't we all but hey he is a real racer and yes one to watch. He can climb real nice, me a Franny cannot play too many pratty games with him around.
Ronnie Hira has some cobbled skill that I can only envy, it may have not gone unnoticed that I finished behind thong man Bakari in Arenberg. But this guy is showing the old boys what he can do.
The French Lip - the champ Lipawskiy is a real rain maester, he has got the Belgians all worked up now he took the bands. He'll be looking to become a bit more a classifciation guy next year I think.
Hafthor Eldfjallsson is a difficult one to write - but he gets commentators tongues rolling as he blasts out of the starthouse. Danger is the guy is on the front rows now. On some of these tight ones you just have to get out quick and you are well on your way to top 10's galore. If the weather is right, he'll be difficult to beat - no way is Cookie ever going to be much good in the super freeze.
So that is some of the new guard taking over from crusty old Belgian domination.
For me the last races confirmed me as a bit of a nearly man. I am good on sand and hills but not really a technical, sprinter or tactical man. I am a bit raw, but hey I am superprestige guy and I think I will be looking to defend that one next year. It suits a nearly man really that comp.
The footie match was a great laugh and confirmed to me that I have guys here that know how to have a laugh and can put their differences aside for the greater good.
Onto next year and we shall see what new nutters are unearthed in our crazy world. We can see that it is us that have been the pioneers though. Chapaeu to us all!
Guido Visconti went down nasty in Arenberg and when he stepped up again, his face was all bloody and a tooth was even missing. But he picked up the tooth and put it in his backpocket. Boy has proven some real toughness there. Or at least, that's how the folklore wants to spin the tale.
Truth is, it was such a bit of blood and the crash looked much nastier than it actually was. Guido was aware that this is part of cycling. Ronnie Hira the later winner took massive time to apologize, however there wasn't really anything to apologize. It's part of cycling and pros are aware of this. A pro? Indeed, after the Kwaremont Cross, ARenberg Classic and the Ardennes, Guido Visconti may indeed be called a pro by now.
It's still open for which team the young son of Raphael Visconti will ride next season. What is clear by now, is that he will certainly continue. However, Visconti is still very young at age and it's likely that he will be only riding one competition at best whilst also focusing on the U23 World Cup. One fan seems to have heard Visconti talk with his dad at the Dunkirk Cross that the Coca-Cola competition seems to be a great classification competition for youngsters, looking at the performances of Vague & Schiltz recently. Guido Visconti wouldn't mind making his first real pro steps in this enviroment. As of now, Visconit may be missing highlight performances but his love for the bike has finally developed and blossomed and he will be eager to claim his spot in the pro ranks rather sooner than later.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
The recent team-friendly performances of Van Fleming have secured him yet again a contract. No one knows how he does it, but apparently talking a few words and being around place 20 is enough to earn you a well-paid contract each year.
His stay at Topsport Vlaanderen has been decent but now Van Fleming is looking for new spots. Of course. The former Belgian Champin rarely stays in one team for all too long and so at this season's end, that Van Fleming will pack his back and be on his way.
The happy team to have signed Van Fleming is, according to De Nieuwsblad, Lotto-Fidea, which is a bit surprising, considering that Van Fleming has never been a big fan of Cornelis. However, he has already ridden with belgian big star for two years in the past, one time as a U23 rider, one time just 3 years ago.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Well, we are here now and it's all good. I can look on a debut pro season which exceeded my expectations by far but which has also let me so, so very hungry. I have aimed to do well in the Superprestige and the Ardennes Cross and I've both fulfilled my goals there. I've failed at the World Championships, and although I still think with great regret of this one decisive moment, I'll be using it as a constant fuel for my ambition. And I've won the Coca-Cola competition in a great battle against Elliot Cook.
Yes. It's fair to say that at some point you have to be humble and appreciate the many moments of bliss I've felt throughout the season. Raising my arms seven times in the air. Goosebumps all over me. It was special each time. From Blaarmeesen to Trondheim. To the Football Match. Glad we took that win, it was great fun.
Maybe it's also time to thank all the people who have made this debut season so special to me. After all, you always have to look back in a season review. I want to thank my team, my family and the organization. My rivals are always motivation to train and race harder, to exceed limits. My teammate Welling has been a tremendous inspiration and help, especially in Valkenburg. Thanks to mum and dad. I guess we've made it?
I'm glad to take off a few weeks now. Already packed most of my stuff. Now that the CX season is over, it's incredible how fast you feel the exhaustion, once the pressure is gone. Once you can let it rest.
I've talked with the team already about my summer plans and about the much-referred to contract extions. We are a good place right now, they obviously want to sign me long-term and I'm looking at quite a wage raise. Beneficial to both sides, and I really like to stay at BKCP - Poweprlus.
At the end of those lines I must admit, it's good to take a break now but boy, I'm already itching to get back in the mud.
Edited by Shonak on 21-04-2015 21:35
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
In the last race of the season, the old curse appeared again. The crash curses of Sven Welling. He avoided it almost completely this season but in DUnkirk it came down on him.
After the great third place in Roubaix, his second podium spot this season, everything went wrong in Dunkirk. His explanation? "Sometimes you just have off-days when nothing works out. Really, nothing at all." He thanked teammate Vague for his support. Welling has abandoned race and there were actually some problems with his legs. "The doc will take a look. I'm glad the seaosn is over now. Of course I couldn't finish a season without bad luck [rolls eyes, then laughs]"
Overall Welling is pleased with the season and looks forward to some cross-country now. But his main goal will remain Cyclo-Cross naturally. "I think we have a good team with us two, however I hope that BKCp - Popwerlus gets one or two strong more riders. The team was a force earlier in history before in history, and I think it has the potential to become one again."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
It has been no secret throughout this season that Christian Schiltz has been desperate for a change of scenery come the end of the season. Being on the same team as rival Gregory Bernard has not been a pleasant experience, and Christian has been discussing options with a couple of teams throughout the season.
When Team Corsio failed to support Schiltz or punish Bernard for the latter's dreadful antics in Torku, that was the final straw. Corsio have put all their eggs into the elder rider's basket, and it has surely backfired - Schiltz ending the season ranked 10th in the World and undoubtedly the strongest Luxembourg rider in Cyclo-cross. Corsio did make a desperate late bid to keep Schiltz, committing to sack Bernard and seek to sign a rider such as Shay Gormley to strengthen the team, but by then it was far too late. The trust between Schiltz and team management is non-existant now, and besides, a much better offer was already on the table.
It can now be revealed that Christian Schiltz will be joining BKCP-Powerplus, and teaming up with the Belgian duo of Francis N. Vague and Sven Welling. This will be an exciting prospect for many fans of the sport - particularly those from the Benelux area - as while Vague is surely the hottest prospect at the moment, Schiltz has increasingly promising signs throughout the season. The experience of Welling can also not be overlooked. BKCP-Powerplus are a big name in Cyclo-cross and provide exactly the kind of supportive environment that Schiltz was looking for. There will be ample opportunity for Schiltz to ride for himself, alongside some races where teamwork will of course take precedence.
In terms of next season, it is likely that Schiltz will continue to devote top priority to the Coca-Cola Trophy. It was his main target this season and it was there he looked most impressive . An overall finish of 7th this year was a strong result for Schiltz, particularly after a relatively weak start to the series. A higher standing there is surely within reach. Besides the Trophy, it may also be a season where Schiltz tastes victory for the first time. The Shanghai Classic is his current career highlight, with a 2nd place after being outsprinted by Thijs Van Lookeren. Can this be bettered next year?
For now, all that matters is to relax. It seems increasingly the case that many riders are mixing road and cyclo-cross, but this holds no interest for Schiltz. It's not unheard of for his new team to participate in the Ronde van België, so perhaps Schiltz will see some tarmac action for a one-off race - but there's no question of where his long term cycling loyalties lie.
Relax. Calm down. Don't jump the gun. Don't spin out on the first wet corner.
Trois. Deux. Un. I'm off. It's to the prologue of the 2015 Race to The Sun, the Paris-Nice!
I take the first corner well enough, then build up a bit of power on the straight. Some boffin had the idea to start with a Champ-Elysees prologue, and I've reconed this course plenty of times, not to mention riding it anyway, in the U-23 ranks and once in Le Tour.
I'm into my strut before the wee dip down and back up. It must be a slight cliche by now but the rise back up that follows is yes, steeper than it looks. I burst out of the saddle for a few seconds before I'm back to my aero bars.
I build-up power again, and after what I presumed to be a pretty flawless final half, I roll in 2 seconds off the time in fourth. That time eventually slips to sixth.
Fair to say the boss wasn't pleased. Another discussion on whether I was over- fatigued from cross and I'm sick of their crap by now.
On the second (w/o prologue) stage I decide to prove to them my worth by hitting out with an unnanounced attack. Nobody followed and after a while I lost motivation, but only after I'd secured the KoM jersey for the next two days.
But, surprising that my enough, that isn't the big news. I fielded some class that night from a fellow crosser and a prospective team manager on a new team. I can't name names, but I accepted and we're hunting for a sponsor. But with the power in this team, I sure think we'll find one.
I'll give you and update on the new team and races after E3 and G-W!
Welcome to the summary of the official presentation of the cyclo-cross 2015 - 2016 season calendar. Let's dive in, shall we?
Note that the UCI Classification is important for a team's sponsoring, as well as a rider's wage, start money and his start position in the race. In most races in the calendar, the riders start with 10 riders on each line. Their current UCI Ranking decides where they'll start.
A noticable change in the calendar is the reduced number of Classics. Last season, we still had 8. Now, only 6 classics are planned. Shanghai had difficulties in financing the race. Last year, they were at loss, and this year they didn't want to risk it again. Sochi, on the other hand, was unwilling to invest in a cyclo-cross classic. It wasn't interesting enough for them to invest money in.
So we are left with 6 classics: Hobart Sunny Classic, Great Hertford Classic, Arenberg Classic, Christmas Classic, Duinencross, Dunkirk Classic.
Not many classics, but it ups the prestige even more. Winning a classic is becoming a rarity and any rider who can take home one this season, will be a happy man.
The UCI Points earned per race:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
200
2
170
3
150
4
140
5
130
6
120
7
110
8
100
9
90
10
80
11
75
12
70
13
65
14
60
15
57
16
54
17
51
18
48
19
45
20
42
21
39
22
36
23
33
24
30
25
28
26
26
27
25
28
24
29
23
30
22
31
21
32
20
33
19
34
18
35
17
36
16
37
15
38
14
39
13
40
12
41
11
42
10
43
9
44
8
45
7
46
6
47
5
48
4
49
3
50
2
51
1
Every rider finishing receives 1 UCI Points
The World Cup features races from all around the world. It's a very interesting trophy in terms of prize money, as well as the classification where the most UCI Points can be earned. Dries Cornelis winning last year's edition proves that consistency and experience matter a great deal here.
There are 9 races, just like last year. Two races have disappeared from the calendar, but quickly replaced. Suhar Sand Castle Race won't be making another appearance. Instead, Port Elisabeth will be a new race in Africa. Last year, Struisbaai was the only (non-continental) cross on the continent but got cancelled in the last instant. This year, the UCI makes up for it with a new World Cup race, which is a step above the Coca-Cola Trophy. Pyeongchang is also a new race, taking over from Excel Center Circuit.
Favorites for 2015 - 2016: Dries Cornelis, Elliot Cook, Sylvain Lipawsky, Francis Vague, Lachy Bauer.
The Superprestige is still seen as the most prestigious trophy on the calendar. It doesn't earn you the most UCI Points, neither does it offer you the biggest purse. But the Superprestige speaks for itself. Winning this Trophy is one of the highest things you can achieve in this sport.
Elliot Cook won last year's edition, in style. But it won't be easy to defend his title against Francis Vague, who has his eyes set on this one for the upcoming season.
New York was a test race and won't be returning to the scene. Instead, Twin Peaks in San Francisco hosts the new Superprestige race, increasing the importance of climbing once again.
But that's not all. The Superprestige includes an 11th race this season, with the new Alpe d'Huez cross in France, two days before the Christmas Classic in Switzerland.
The points/race for the classification are as follows:
Winner: 15 points.
2nd: 14 points
3rd: 13 points
4th: 12 points
5th: 11 points
6th: 10 points
7th: 9 points
8th: 8 points
9th: 7 points
10th: 6 points
11th: 5 points
12th: 4 points
13th: 3 points
14th: 2 points
15th: 1 point
UCI Points per race:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
135
2
125
3
115
4
105
5
95
6
85
7
75
8
65
9
55
10
45
11
35
12
30
13
28
14
26
15
24
16
22
17
20
18
18
19
17
20
16
21
15
22
14
23
13
24
12
25
11
26
10
27
9
28
8
29
7
30
6
31
5
32
4
33
3
34
2
35
1
Favorites for 2015 - 2016: Elliot Cook, Francis Vague, Matt Mazzarelli.
Coca-Cola survived its first edition well. Besides the rough patch with Struisbaai getting cancelled, it got on and brought some of the most exciting races of the season. It's the only competition with a time classification instead of points, making it an interesting change. Coca-Cola will have 8 races, like it planned to have last year. Though last season, Struisbaai was cancelled. It's back on the calendar, now, though!
Additionally, Abu Dhabi Sand Circuit has lost it's place for the new Luxembourg Challenge.
UCI Points per race:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
75
2
70
3
65
4
60
5
55
6
50
7
45
8
40
9
35
10
30
11
28
12
26
13
24
14
22
15
20
16
18
17
16
18
14
19
12
20
10
21
8
22
6
23
4
24
2
25
1
Favorites for 2015 - 2016: Elliot Cook, Francis Vague, Christian Schiltz, Hafthor Eldfjallsson, Michael Bollinger.
It's been kept secret for months now, so it was quite the surprise at the official presentation! The UCI launches a fourth classification this season. The National Event Series starts out modestly with only 3 races planned. The National Event Series is a classification for riders who don't have much of a chance to win anywhere else. Only 20 riders can enter the competition, and top riders are best to stay away from it, seeing as how it can have consequences for your Superprestige if you want to race here. The races are planned so that the 20 participants stay in Australia, South-Africa or Japan just after the final race there to race an additional National Event Series race.
This means that they'll most likely miss the Superprestige race Twin Peaks, as well as the Superprestige race Lisbon. But the classification offers "lesser" riders to ride for glory and gain experience in the finale of a race. Moreover, it's the perfect chance for riders down the UCI classification to gain UCI points, gain in value and improve their starting position.
The three races will be Perth, Johannesburg, Kitakyushu.
UCI Points per race:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
50
2
40
3
30
4
20
5
10
6
8
7
6
8
4
9
2
10
1
The overall ranking is a unique points system. At the finish, the first five riders are rewarded with 10, 7, 5, 3 and 1 points. This is not so strange, the new thing is:
Every event counts exactly 8 laps. After the fourth lap, so at the finish line going into lap, there are 6, 4 and 2 points to be earned.
This might open up interesting racing tactics!
Additionally, the National Event Series will be raced, not in the sponsor brands, but in national teams. It is yet to be seen how this works out practically. But it's an interesting project to say the least.
This year's Continental Championships are not that different from last year. Only the routes have changed, of course. Riders from all around the world will fight for either one of these jerseys:
Left to right: Africa, America, Eurasia, Oceania
Last year, we had some great races with as winners: Mustafa Moli, Fred Markson, Hafthor Eldfjallsson and Lachy Bauer.
See the race profiles below.
UCI Points:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
50
2
40
3
30
4
20
5
10
6
8
7
6
8
4
9
2
10
1
The World Championships have been moved up one week. This year, Siena (Italy) will host the World Championships. It's a profile where many riders will think they can win. Some technicality is required, as well as some climbing. But overall, it's not that tough a route, so many riders have a chance at winning. Sylvain Lipawsky will be defending his title here.
See the race profile below.
UCI Points:
Spoiler
Result
Points
1
250
2
225
3
200
4
180
5
160
6
150
7
140
8
130
9
120
10
110
11
100
12
90
13
80
14
75
15
70
16
65
17
60
18
55
19
50
20
45
21
40
22
38
23
36
24
34
25
32
26
30
27
28
28
26
29
24
30
22
31
20
32
19
33
18
34
17
35
16
36
15
37
14
38
13
39
12
40
11
41
10
42
9
43
8
44
7
45
6
46
5
47
4
48
3
49
2
50
1
Races
Full Calendar
Calendar analysis:
A big focus on climbing this season, once again. Last year, riding uphill proved essential for most races. The sand weekend has disappeared completely, but the races made minor changes to their profiles. Overall, there are more sand sections in other races, and some climbs have been cut.
The UCI still has to handle the climbing-heavy calendar problem in the future, but it looks like they're slowly restoring the order. Having Pyeongchang as a World Cup race is yet another good sign with our eyes on the Winer Olympics. Maybe Cyclo-Cross can earn a spot for the Olympics after all!
Edited by Ian Butler on 22-04-2015 13:15
Nothing, again, nothing, mailbox just outside of my cabin is still empty, bar money orders i received from electricity and gas provider. Thieves! How i am supposed to pay for them, when nobody obviously wants the services of a former promising junior...and former alcoholic. Thanks god i dont have the money for bottle, i would drown myself in it. Screw that, i will take a ride through a forest to clean my head, or should i throw my ageing bike into the valley?
....week later...
Yes! My prayers have been heard and i am sitting here by the fireplace, with a letter in my hands, labeled by the mark of a cycling team. No, i cant be too enthusiastic about it, they probably just have enough courtesy to tell me that they have no interest. Okay, lets see:
Spoiler
Dear Karol,
We, in Team Bauknecht - Author have received your letter and decided to give you something you were calling for - a second chance.
As the sports manager of our team i am happy to invite you to our summer training camp in Tábor, Czech Republic. This is our yearly event, where we invite the talented cross riders from whole country (and rarely from Slovakia too) and test their abilities both on and off the track.
Obviously, you are a bit different case from the other boys, who are mostly juniors and still are waiting for their breakthrough. You had you breakthrough chance already, we know who you are and what you could become before you slipped of the track. I am not sure you are aware of that, but i was a friend with Marian Strga, man who i dont have to introduce to you, your cycling mentor. Honestly, Marian and his memory are the only reasons i am writing this letter (i am surprised you dont have e-mail,i which jungle you live in, for gods sake?).
You were really close to miss your chance with very bad steps you have taken after the loss of Marian, but in my eyes, everybody deserves second chance and if you are ready to work your ass off and if you are still the crosser in you hearth and in your legs, we are here to help you develop your talent further.
So get your bags packed and get in here, whole team is interested in what you have to offer! But dont take anything for granted...
Men never cry they say. Fools, my eyes are wet and i am not feeling bad because of it. I am not done yet, as the man and as the cyclist. Thank you Marian, i will never be able to repay what you have done for me.
... rest of the diary entry is somewhat blurry, with many splotches...
You probably won`t know me. Once I was not far from becoming a very good professional cyclist. I rode with some of the best riders and learned a lot from them. I joined a PT team in 2010 and had 2 years of helper tasks only. It was a tough time for me as I came from a successful U23 year.
When I was almost thinking that I will never make it, I made a nice step forward and was said to ride some bigger races and even get the chance to go for myself in some events. I was even nominated to ride the Giro d'Italia. For me this was proof enough that I have reached my goal and still being young I had hoped for a great career now.
On that high I experienced the biggest low of my life. From one day to another, it was the 3rd day of the Giro, the team stopped immediately. There were rumours about financial problems but I never got the real story behind it. Only thing said to us riders, was to leave the race, go back home and wait for further information. I am still waiting actually.
Many of my team mates (obviously the successful ones) quickly found a new team, while I was sitting at home not knowing what to do. I moved together with other sport talents having the same problems and we started a 5-men flat-sharing community for money reasons and I hoped for a new opportunity.
And I had to wait for a long time. Until 2015 actually. 3 years of not doing many rides in the last time. I had lost all my motivation to go out onto the road and first I thought it was a joke when seeing the name on the phone. It was my old manager.
He said he eventually has something for me. It`s something different. Something new. But it might be a step into the cycling world again. He was speaking of cyclocross. Something I haven`t really done a lot so far but in my junior time I used to do it during Winter.
I had 1 week to decide and after 3 years not having reached a lot but an abandoned studies and a couple of cycle races for everybody (mainly in the first year though), I sent him my answer: "Sure. Tell me more about it. I am ready to start!"
Good evening and welcome to the launch of a new team in the world of Cyclo-cross, ready to make it's debut in the 2015/16 season, and all set to take the world by storm. Introducing: Team BAKARI.
Amadou Bakari has firmly planted himself as a fan-favourite rider by his racing efforts throughout the season. And after a 15th place finish at the Arenberg Classic, Bakari was undoubtedly the most improved rider of the season - an achievement that he can be very proud of.
Team BAKARI will receive a number of exclusive short-term high profile sponsorship deals throughout the forthcoming season, ensuring that many companies can capitalise on the lucrative partnership that pairing up with Amadou Bakari will offer. We can already reveal that Qhubeka will be our headline sponsor for the South African triple header of Port Elisabeth, Struisbaai and Johannesburg.
But Team BAKARI is not all about the insipirational Amadou. The development of young cyclists is also a key aim for the team, and thanks to the partnership with Qhubeka, the team will be be supporting two Under 23 riders across the season as they compete on the U23 circuit. Charles Nguema of Gabon and the South African Adrian van Niek are the lucky riders who will get to ride under the Team BAKARI banner.
Edited by SportingNonsense on 22-04-2015 21:18
With much dismay, the Mayor of Geraadsbergen has reacted to another year without the desired cyclo-cross event being realized. Seeing as how the Ronde van Vlaanderen has largely avoided the Muur van Geraadsbergen in recent years and the Oude Kwaremont gets double-exposure both in road racing and in Cyclo-Cross, it's hardly a surprise that they will look for additional ways and opportunities to keep the myth of the Muur alive.
This may just come in form of Pieter Gasthuys and Francis N. Vague themselves. The Mayor has approached the living legend Gasthuys and young gun Vague to be the forefront of a little Criterium he has organized within two months. Three times the Muur van Geraadsbergen was taken on in the 60 kilometer long race. Vague and Gasthuys were clearly seen enjoying themselves, Gasthuys being the obvious center of attention. The mayor always around the two Cyclo-Cross stars and seemingly enjoying his strike of brilliance. "If the Cyclo-Cross circuis doesn't come to you, then you just do it yourself. Take two big stars, create an event, it's easy", explains the mayor.
"It was a real fun event", stated Vague later and explained his reasont to participate. "The Muur van Geraadsbergen is a legendary climb. It's a bit unfortunate that with the growing globalization, the UCI forgets in its planning the roots of Cyclo-Cross. I'd love to have the Muur being part of the CX calendar, similiar to the Oude Kwaremont."
The Mayor - an active rider himself - was seen strongly agreeing, nodding his head up and down and up. "We have Gasthuys and Vague saying they'd like to see the Muur van Geraadsbergen in Cyclo-Cross. I'm sure that in the coming years we can realize it together and make the Geraadsbergen Cross a reality!" Until then, the mayor will certainly ride the Muur van Geraadsbergen a few times on his own.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I heard GP De Muur once again did not make it on the calendar. I'm starting to agree with @KimiHakinnen about the UCI leadership. #GeraardsbergenGanstah #NoMuurNoConfituur
I guess I should introduce myself. Born in Kenya, I'm not you're average crosser. I grew up always wanting to be a runner, inspired by my home countries success in races around the world. However, I soon found that was not my calling, when at the relatively late age of 18 I discovered the sport of cycling, and I have never looked back.
Almost immediately I identified my favourite terrain as cobblestones. When riding with others many seemed to dread the cobbled sections, but I always enjoyed the challenge as a more powerful rider. This eventually was what lead me to cyclo-cross - the strength required to keep turning the pedals across any terrain in any weather.
The first few amateur races I participated went really well. I managed a few top tens racing across Belgium on my weekends, and was always near the front. I was hampered initially by my eagerness to attack and the Belgian weather, which as a Kenyan is a huge contrast from the heat back home. Slowly I got stronger though and began to win races.
That's when the NamDeb CycloX Project contacted me. Looking for young African riders to help give a pathway to professional cyclo-cross, I fitted their criteria perfectly. We agreed a one-year contract, on the basis that if I do well more years could follow. I think it's a great opportunity for me to ride for an African team. One day I'd like to ride for a Kenyan one but that could be at least few years away so I am very happy with this deal.
Therefore I am happy to announce I will be riding on the pro CX circuit for the 2015 season! I think it will be a real challenge going up against the likes of Cornelis and Lipawsky but now I just can't wait to get started.
- Estifanos
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 23-04-2015 18:13
The iceman cometh. What a season it has been for Hafthor Eldfjallsson, certainly his best yet. There may have been a flurry of youngsters turning professional, but the Icelandic experience certainly shone through. As the most aggressive rider of the year, he was a force to be reckoned with.
The season may not have started strongly, with a DNF and a 34th place, but by the end of it Hafthor was ranked 8th in the World - despite a relative lack of interest in the Coca Cola and Classic races. He ranked 7th in the Superprestige standings, and then there was the World Cup...
Race
Position
WC Standing
Melbourne Beach Race
39
-
Portland CX
29
-
Antofagasta
8
21
Bristol
1
8
ExCel Center Circuit
5
6
Torku
2
3
Suhar Sand Castle Race
15
3
Trondheim CX
3
2
Ardennes Cross
5
2
A poor start to the season was evident here too, but after a Top 10 breakthrough in Antofagasta and an icy training camp in Antarctica, everything came up Hafthor! A fantastic win in Bristol, 2nd place behind teammate Hammerling in Torku and a further podium in Trondheim. The ice helped, but was not vital - with Top 5s at Excel and Ardennes and even a Top 15 on the dreadful Sand.
Ronnie Hira was overhauled at the end, meaning that Eldfjallsson finished at a deserved 2nd overall. And here's an interesting stat for you. Dries Cornelis scored 100 pts in the opening two races, where Hafthor drew a blank. The gap at the end of the World Cup? Only 85.
The UCI may not consider Hafthor a top favourite for next year's World Cup, but having been the top performer across the final 7 rounds this year, and with a contract renewal in the pocket with Team Odfjell, this man is not to be underestimated anymore!
The off season is here and with it followed a nice spring classics campaign. Vague wasn't to keen on racing initially on the road, however a few modest results made for a nice showing. With his peak far behind him at that point, Vague wasn't able to win anything at all, however his attacking attitude at least was to be observed a few times in the U23 races and some minor classics. Clearly Vague's talents do not only lie in the mud, but also on the road. The young gun however made it clearly rapidly that his future lies in Cyclo-Cross for now, and looking back at his success, it's hard to say that he made the wrong career choice. The intermezzo on the road, totallying a grand total of 12 race days, is what it is: A little side-project for now.
Seven wins in total, the Coca-Cola Trophy on his chimney and the first rider to take the glorious new Trophy. Vague's debut pro season couldn't have been more exciting for the youngster. With plenty of goals yet to accomplish, Vague is already looking forward to the new CX season.
Telegraaf has visited Vague at home during summer, where the Walloon is following the Tour de France on the screen. But Vague isn't a man to sit at home and so he quickly showed them a new bike and performed a few stunts for them. Look at him, alll mighty in the air!
Vague still lives with his family. His family is an important part of his life, having their support throughout the last year was key for Vague, he explains. "It's still the place where I grew up, learned all I know. Riding here is always special to me. Either on the road, through the trails or experiencing the forrest: It's my home." Later on the peloton rushes up Alpe d'Huez on the screen. Of course, Vague looks forward to racing it soon. "I don't think anybody knows really right now how the course will look like. It'll be a great spectacle. Maybe something that pushes Cyclo-Cross a little bit more forward", reckons Francis and looks a bit wary. But he doesn't want to think of racing too much yet.
More like training. The love to the bike is obvious in this young kid. The cycling tan evenly spreaded over his long arms. Four different cross bikes are in his garage, two road bikes. BMX, Mountainbike. You name it.
Some fun on the MTB cross country circuits lies behind him. His experience? "It's fun and good to stay in shape for Cyclo-Cross. You also learn a few tricks too." But the few races he did, Vague wasn't exactly gunning victories. "You can't just come there to those races and expect to win. Those are pros on the Mountainbike. I can handle myself on those courses but it's quite different to Cyclo-Cross." Again, a little side-project for the young Walloon, who seems to look for ways to pass the time until the new season arrives.
What about the rumours of his girlfriend? The kid falls shy, gets a bit red, then explains that it wasn't meant to be. No polish-walloonish wonderkid to arrive to the scene in 18 years. They will remain friends though, Vague states, and he looks like an old man saying that.
"I'm glad the team allows me to take proper rest", he says. Not much competition going on indeed, but the legs are fine and he'll look to improve on the next season. Will it work out? "I hope so!" After all, Vague wants to be on the top of his game come the new season. Superprestige, Siena World Championships, Oude Kwaremont, maybe the World Cup. Many, many goals are waiting for Vague.
"No Coca-Cola trophy?", asks the interviewer.
"I was looking to be the first name in that list. If I can win it again, sure. I'll be taking it. But I'd like to keep my options open. Coca-Cola is a great sponsor and even better at organizing these events. The Superprestige is a dream of mine though." He also is keen to point to Christian Schiltz, his new teammate and former rival in the junior ranks, who said to target the Trophy again. "Now there's not much room for team tactics in Cyclo-Cross, even when you are on the same team it's usual every man for himself, but it's nice that we can spread out and set different goals as a team. Especially because Schiltz and me are still young and we need to further develop the stamina to contest in all three classifications properly." Vague remains enthusiatisc when talking about his new teammate: "I said before that he'd make his breakthrough, he was a tough opponent back in the days. I'm glad we can ride on the same team now."
Edited by Shonak on 23-04-2015 13:06
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Off-season is still relatively young but already packed with action. It's been interesting watching all the new riders getting licenses and teams and there are some real potential stars in there. Things for Odjfell do look nice and similar to last season though with Eldfjallsson and Kokkonen. The races we did well at as a team are still in the calendar.
Torku maintains it's place and status as a World Cup race. I wish it had some more separation from the Swedish event but oh well. There are some other more cobbled races like Arenberg still in the calendar. Starting to look at targets and those are the events that stick out.
With that in mind my training focuses heavily on jumping, running and technical skills. These parts had improved over the season but should take a big step forwards now. Combine those improvements with my general power and cobbles abilities and i should be going for some more results. I could diversify my skills a bit more but i'm never gonna match some of these guys for overall competition titles, so why bother? Just focus on a few wins here and there.
TDF
So i've been building my own CX course near home with some help from Blue Bell CX. Based on the beach for yet more sand training we've got some small dunes which are great for reps training. Then we've built some good obstacles for jump and run training. It's nowhere near the quality of an actual CX course, nor those training courses in Europe, but for a three-man build on the Texas coast it's pretty awesome.
The loss of the Middle East races seriously hinders my chances of successes, as does the increase in climbing. Regardless i'll stick to my sand skills and i can't see anyone even being close to me on those sections. The reps work is good for accelerations and sprinting. Climbing still not a strong point for me so those uphill events will be taken easy for the most part.
Things are going well and it's still a long hot summer ahead. Yeah my ability to survive the cold ain't gonna improve either... Can't wait to get Radio and Goldie down here to do some training with me. Might try and get our new teammate out here as well. At the very least Fred, Eddie and myself will be one of the best team units around!
Radio
So i'm Fred Markson and this is my blog place. I'll explain the nickname Radio, it's quite simple. My initials are FM, as in FM Radio. There you go, i said it was simple and i didn't say it was clever. I live in Brooklyn NYC still with my parents, but after a year on a pro-salary i'll look to move out in 2016.
My skills are my acceleration and sprinting primarily, but i'm also ok at going up hill. In Junior and U23 events at a national level i would just hang on going up the climbs and then out-sprint anyone i was with. I'm only 18, soon to be 19, and i don't have the skills or physicality to attack and go solo myself yet. Though i did win the Continentals and put in a good showing of myself at the Elite Worlds, so i've got something to offer.
My training is quite unconventional, primarily being road based rides around NYC. It's a bit of journey out to woods or real nature parklands and i find the base endurance and power training tends to stand me in good sted. I'll definately take some weeks down to TDF in Texas for some more specific skills training. Hopefully i can come into the season strong from the outset and certainly look to do well in the all new NES.
Goldie
My name is Eddie Goldenberg. I'm 22 and from Las Vegas. And as of the 2015/16 season i'm an Elite level CX rider for Blue Bell CX. I finished 3rd in the American Continentals, rode the Elite Worlds and am by far the best US U23 catagory rider of the last 3 years. I've got a fair amount of pressure on my shoulders.
I've loved CX for almost my whole life and i've been racing it for 9 years. I love the history of the sport and every year i can think of i've been to watch the Las Vegas event which attracts the biggest and best names from across the Americas. My best skills are probably my jumping and running which is uncommon for riders from the States.
Beyond that i've got good endurance and power. Hills arn't so much my forte but i'm still ahead of most from the States. I understand i am unlikely to come straight in and be the best in the Elite series but i think i can stack up two or three wins and really make a statement. Blue Bell feels like a great set-up for a team with Radio and TDF and i really want to get out and dirty with those guys alongside me!
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)
