After a successful passage through Africa, cyclo-cross returns to Europe with the Lisbon cross. This year we see the 25th edition of the Lisbon cross, so a small celebration is in place! Last year, Dries Cornelis added another win to his record here. This year, Cornelis has had the worst start in his entire career and has only podiumed three races, none of which on the top step.
Is Lisbon the turnaround for a cross legend, or is his reign permanently over? And if the young generation has officially taken over, who will fight for victory? Three for three for young Listerijn, another epic battle between Vague and Cook or will a new legend arise?
The Superprestige is extremely close, with Vague and Cook sharing the top position with 42 points. So either way, we're in for an amazing race. sit tight and enjoy the show!
Race Information
Country: Portugal
City/Place: Lisbon
Classification: Superprestige
Starting Time (Elite Men): 14h30
Favorites: Dries Cornelis, Elliot Cook, Matt Mazzarelli, Milan Listerijn.
Record: 7x Dries Cornelis (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014)
Race History: Lisbon is up to it's 25th edition. Dries Cornelis has taken 7 of them. Last year, Carlisle was good enough to threaten Cornelis for the win, until both men had to dismount on the final hill and Cornelis came out of it faster than the Brit.
Route Information
Technical: 5
Sand: 4
Uphill: 5
Cobblestones: 0
A demanding race to say the least. Technical, lots of sand and some hills to die for, I mean, on. No, you don't do this for your pleasure. Six real hills, two of which completely in the sand. Add countless bridges, regular bumps in the terrain, constant turning around and two sets of jumping bars and you have a cross to get excited over.
Vague and Cook, sharing a first place in the classification, find the perfect arena to fight over the lead. Or is Mazzarelli brooding on a plan of his own to overtake both cross giants? Either way, the sand will play in Vague's disadvantage. Last year, we even saw Vague abandon the race in the penultimate lap. The burden of making something of this race lays on Cook.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: 8° C
Precipitation: Rain, Light.
Wind: 1 Beaufort
Milan Listerijn is a strange young boy. One week, he's abandoning injured, the next he wins twice, once with the top level pros, and is rated surprisingly high for a threepeat. He remains popular amongst his fans, shy and calm around media, and with that wide smile. But in the face of it, he's just a lad, and that effort must cost him, especially without the recommended break after the NES?
'I know it probably will, but looking at the next week I like the courses more than in Africa, so I don't know where to take my break. Probably Rasterhoff off and a week of recuperation and training could be all I need, but I'll leave it to the physio to advise me if we need to discuss skipping a race next week.' he says after a pause, 'I feel confident without pressure now, not overconfident but just knowing if I blow up and get lapped trying to win it won't damage my overall prospects because I don't have any, not until Italy.'
When quizzed on the course in Lisbon, he remains coy.
'I still don't know about the sand, I don't know how I am there, despite Dunkirk we didn't have a world class sand field in U-23 last year, maybe they Yanks but that's it to be brutally honest. I like the corners and hills, despite the hurt I knew I will experience, the adrenaline and feeling of being alive with pain will just help me, as I know it will Vague, and Cornelis, and Cook, Mazzarelli, Lipawsky. We'll see how it pans out.'
After a succesfull road season, Rudy Verboven will return for a year of Cyclocross. The young Belgian talents rose to fame this season with a 4th place in Ronde Van Vlaanderen, after just missing the break with Cancellara, Sagan and Bozic (see picture). One week later he almost won Brabantse Pijl and he also had a third place in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
He started cyclocross 2 years ago to work on his bikehanding skills and it payed off. He won two races and came very close to winning the world championship in his first year. His strenghts are his road cycling skill: a powerfull sprint, great uphill skills and excellent cobble handling. The weaknesses are technical, like sand and especially ice. He tends to avoid crosses where there's ice on the track, as he does not want to risk injuries for the road season.
Lisbon is not an old cross. 2015 will see its 25th edition, meaning the first time Lisbon made an appearance on the cross scene, it was already 1991. Leading up to this cross, everyone expected another duel by the famous rivals Gasthuys and Vandewalle, with Visconti as the man in shape, an outside dog.
By this time, the entire peloton had accepted Gasthuys and Vandewalle's dominance in the sport and took pleasure in riding for the remaining podium step in most races. Even Visconti, building an impressive palmares in the Gasthuys era, couldn't deny Gasthuys's raw talent and lust for power.
Yet there was one man who wouldn't bow down. Local hero Eduardo Santana was an upcoming rider with talent and a decent palmares as a junior. Lisbon would be the perfect moment to take that final step and become a top rider.
November 1991
The race had a brutal start. Gasthuys was unhappy about his season start and desperately wanted to reclaim his authority in the field. Visconti had started the season quite well, with five victories already, against Gasthuys' two and Vandewalle's three victories.
After one lap, only five riders were left at the front. The rest of the field was blown to pieces by the incredible start by Pieter Gasthuys, a notoriously hard rider. His rivals knew better than to do anything else but dug deep in his wheel and pray to hang on. And so they did.
Until... The rain started coming down hard, and the terrain got way muddy. As the terrain got tougher and tougher, Gasthuys refused to get off his bike. Now, Gasthuys was famous for his bike handling and would almost never dismount in a race, even when it seemed impossible to stay on his bike.
Vandewalle, Visconti and Keizer were desperately trying to follow an unchained Gasthuys, but the audience knew better. It was one of those days that you could just tell: Gasthuys would win. Nothing to do against him. He would ride away soon and they wouldn't see him again until at the finish line. Only moments later, it happened. Gasthuys left the four others behind. The race seemed over.
So far, Santana had been riding in fifth position. Lap after lap, he was feeling stronger and stronger. What got into him during the fourth lap, nobody knew, but the fact was that Santana suddenly jumped of his bike, threw his bike over his shoulder and started running through the thick mud.
It seemed unreal. The young Portuguese just ran past Vandewalle, Keizer and Visconti. The boy was fast! Incredibly fast.
Two laps from the finish, Santana caught up with a bewildered Gasthuys. By this time, the course was rained out completely and Santana ran almost half the course.
Gasthuys was keen to throw him off. But whatever he tried, Santana wouldn't bulge. Like a pitbull, he stayed on Gasthuys. The crowd didn't understand what was happening, but they were loving it. Their boy was fighting side to side with Pieter Gasthuys, the great crosser. Santana ran so fast he even forced Gasthuys to get off his bike, too, just to keep up with his pace through the loose mud.
Still, Gasthuys was no ordinary crosser and he made Santana suffer hard. In the sprint the young Portuguese didn't stand a chance against the experienced Gasthuys. But he crossed the line with a balled fist. He had gone toe to toe with Pieter Gasthuys and survived. The first chaser, Visconti, was two minutes behind.
Santana would become a good crosser, but he would never again find the level he reached in that Lisbon race. Ending his career in 2003, Santana had won 9 professional races, including three national titles and one victory in Lisbon (1994). Yet when asked about his greatest achievement, he still answers to this day: "The day I made Gasthuys crawl through the dirt."
I feel pretty good, sand won't suit me, but I'm definitely excited for hills the technical sections.
So who are you watching?
Francis, Cook, Matt, Milan, Lachie, Schiltz, Dries, everybody really. I think Dries will really pull out all the stocks to win this one though, he needs to do it to prove he's not at the end of his time. Still, looks like an open game.
How about your chances?
I'll try my best, the sand will probably kill me, but you never know. I'd really like to take the win.
What's your opinion on Johannesburg?
Pierre had some bad luck with the stone, the loose rocks on the course weren't the best idea, but that's cyclo-cross.
Two races - two conflicting versions of yours truly.
Having raced Rio last year I knew it and was just really confident in myself and that for once I would not have the maidan sniffing my backside. Of course he was right back to his usual position come South Africa but to have that belgian sweetie out of my rear mirrors just allowed me to express myself.
But I will admit I screwed it up pretty badly in the South Africa. It was a real shame as I got a great welcome after the fiasco of last years events. It is great to put it behind us, we are really doing it quite organised this year. Unfortunately the oldest tosser of them all him above decided to piss on us all day and that really effected me. I felt the pressure really with such a margin in the times I rode like a dick. Still a gritted me teeth and after a few days of beating myself up I can see I still have a nice margin in the Coke cup.
Serious times in Lisbon now - Franny is after my Superpressie crown. He is perfect for the course as he is very much a Cornelis clone. Of course he aint the only bozo who could enjoy this and it does have a fair amount of Shyte in it so Gormless and Champagne may be intereested of course and some of these new flavours of the month like Inter Milan.
Ahead of Lisbon, Francis N. Vague remains illusive about his racing strategy in Lisbon, Portugal. However his goals are clear to the press, his rivals, the fans and himself: He is here to obtain the lead in Superprestige for good, distancing Cook is a vital objective.
Of course the racing of last year is still a vivid memory for Francis, the young walloonisch man is not concerned about something similiar happening again though. "I don't want to get my racing dictacted by past events." In fact, the crash in Lisbon caused him to be off the bike for a couple of weeks, but looking at the race results that followed, Lisbon has not made Vague any weaker. If at all, he had been stronger coming back, having obtained top places throughout the second half of the season until the World Championships. At that point, only a crash could stop him.
"Maybe this kind of drastic events shape you as a rider, I certainly wanted to come back last year after Lisbon and show them what I got. It kept me focused. I always knew that you have to work hard and train hard and fight for what you want, but a reminder like Lisbon's crash is sometimes maybe necessarcy."
He lists the usual names as favourites, citing Cornelis rise of form as indictative of a possible winner. "He is certainly targeting the World Championships this season, in peak he can beat anybody." Vague is certain that Cornelis is nearing his peak and can enjoy a race like Lisbon all the more, which is down to his every strength. Meanwhile, the sand may thrawt Vague's plans of winning here despite the strong focus on technicality and hills in the race parcour. As he is not a top favourite, he may be able to shift the chasing duties to other riders and keep himself more in the background than usual.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
So on my break I fielded an unexpected but welcome call from Pierre. It was short, it was rushed as he was at the airport, but it was all I needed. It never occurred to me to find a new road team. Maybe, just maybe I can stay doing both? The WC would still be my big goal this year, now I've planned my schedule there's no going back.
I've never actually moved teams before, the management has been so good to me before it was hard to. But now they've got this attitude I might take Pierre up on his advice. I've already has a call from Topsport Vlaanderen but they want me to change CX team as well. Really I want to be able to have a go at it sometimes, and pass my tutelage onto the young guns of the team.
Anyway, it's a wrench to not be at Lisbon supporting Milan and Mikey, but a promise is a promise and I'll see you guys at Rasterhoff, where hopefully my form can start picking up again.
The latest UCI Press Conference has been met with both praise and criticism and left the media fighting over their latest decision. While one reporter calls it "daring", the other just lifts his shoulder and asks himself what the UCI are doing now. But the fact is, this new rule will stir up the cyclo-cross world and might make some races more interesting.
An excerpt from the press conference:
...concerning the World Championships Cyclo-Cross, more specifically the World Championship qualifiers. Tradition, as in road racing, offers certain nations more riders than others, calculated on the nation's strength and ranking. The national coach then had to take his pick on who to send to the race.
However, from this calendar year, a new rule will decide the World Championship start list. Now, the start list will be decided on the eve of the Ostrava Circuit, the final race before the World Championship. How? Easy, the first 30 on the UCI Classification list will be allowed to race the World Championship Cyclo-Cross.
After some protest, the UCI spokesperson went on to explain that the rule is meant to make cyclo-cross even better. "The rule is simple, and its main objective is to increase the fight in a race even for places after the top 10. Every point now counts, literally. Your place in the biggest race of the year depends on it."
Illustrating the change in the rules, the UCI shows a graphic. Belgium, for example, could send 5 riders to the Worlds last season. Based on the current UCI Classification, they also get to send 5 riders (Vague, Cornelis, Verboven, Van Fleming, Welling). Great Britain, on the other hand, was able to send 5 riders, thanks to the great performances of Cook and Carlisle last season. At the current list, they could only send 2; Cook and Carlisle.
The rule seems tough and will exclude many riders. Just looking at the facts, we had over 50 starters in last year's World Championship, while now we're looking at a round 30. The rule is meant to stimulate the middle and lower end of the rankings to ride hard and earn a place in the world's greatest race, but it has already met with lots of controversy. Especially about this rule excluding some riders who are alone of their country. For example: Bakari, the only Gabon representative, would miss out on this great race. Ergo, Gabon is "not welcome" on the World Championships. Unheard of, some say.
The UCI spokesmen, grown more careful after two tough years, added an important sentence at the end of the conference: "Of course, this rule is now being implemented in its Beta form. We're open for discussion and will listen to the riders and their needs. There are alternatives we are still discussing."
Welcome in Lisbon, back on the European continent. Lisbon is always a place of great fight. It's a tradition going back to its very first edition. The Superprestige couldn't be closer, with Vague and Cook sharing the top spot. Both will be looking to become lone leader today.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 9° C
Precipitation: Rain, Light.
Wind: 1 Beaufort
Start Line: The riders are all concentrated and they'll have to bring their A-game to finish this race in one piece. Lisbon is extremely technical and a brutal race if you're not fully concentrated. The slightest mistake can cost you big. Vague, in particular, knows all about this. His fall last year saw his Superprestige dream shattered and left him with injury.
Lipawsky and Cornelis have both been growing in form and are recovering from a mediocre season start. Both are suited to the profile and Cornelis is absolute record holder in Lisbon with 7 victories. Last year, he bested Carlisle in the final lap. The Brit is only a shade of his former self these days and is rumoured to retire at the end of the season.
Gormley is starting on the front line and can also be considered dangerous for this course. Finally, let's keep an eye open for Goldenberg, Mazzarelli, Bollinger and Listerijn. The young Kiwi is two for two and is on a form high.
Lap 1: The riders are off! Eldfjallsson, starting from the second row these days, tries to pass Cook and make his trademark blitz start, but Cook is a stubborn Brit and won't let anyone pass like that.
Cornelis with a surprise start, in fourth position at the moment. He's sprinting to take the corner with the top 5. Vague, eager to race, is in first, followed closely by Lipawsky. Bollinger moves in third position.
Very quick to move to the front is Josiah Bennett, as he moves into the top 15. Where he is coming from, it's incredible he made it here so quickly.
But things are about to get a lot harder for him, as World Champion Lipawsky moves past Vague and races on the first hill. The World Champion is looking for some action! Vague is not one to sit by and watch so he puts on his game face and steps on the pedals. The pace is extremely high, now! The two immediately create a small gap.
But here comes the sand. Both Lipawsky and Vague aren't the best sand riders and so Bollinger closes the gap. He brings along Gormley, Cook, Listerijn...
Cook seems to have woken up, now, and moves through the sand with incredible power!
The hills don't pose much trouble for the Brit, and the other riders are in trouble, now. Cook is making a move for it!
Lap 2: We'll have 8 laps today. Cook is at the front, but followed by a group of riders. Things are moving fast here. In the group are Gormley, Schiltz, Lipawsky, Vague, Mazzarelli, Cornelis, Etxeberdea, Bollinger, Dao, Konva, Listerijn. The Americans Goldenberg and Power are further behind, working together to get back to the front.
Cook isn't fully unleashed yet, not on full power. Schiltz closes the gap, working for his team leader Vague. The riders are rushing through the sand.
As soon as the riders are out of the sand, Lipawsky moves to the front and accelerates. We haven't seen Lipawsky like this since... The World Championships. He's strong today and he's looking to make this race as hard as he can!
Mazzarelli is riding a strong second lap, too. He moves up the hills seemingly without problems. Meanwhile, Vague doesn't let Cook get an inch away from him anymore. He doesn't want to be surprised anymore, after that first test by Cook.
Listerijn is hanging off the back of this group, with Bollinger right ahead of him. The Belgian Kiwi doesn't look as hot as he did in the last two races. Fatigue, or tactic?
A group of young riders are chasing the leaders; Mutahi, Osorio, Goldenberg, Power, Kloet, Markson. Sven Welling is also there, riding a decent race.
Lap 3: The front group is breaking up in pieces, after another slight increase in pace by Sylvain Lipawsky. The World Champion is finally showing why he is wearing this jersey!
But now we hit the sand, not Lipawsky's favorite terrain. He and Vague are going head to head, now.
But what's that? Elliot Cook shoots out of the group, like a rocket! Vague is completely taken by surprise and has no answer, not until the sand section is over.
We're out of the sand. Just over this bridge and then we're ready for another climb. Cook immediately has 7 seconds. Talk about an acceleration! Lipawsky and Vague keep the pace high.
And another attack! It's Matt Mazzarelli! A relatively quiet season for him so far, he's shooting away from the chasing group and goes after Cook alone. Vague and Lipawsky won't be tempted to follow any attack and are working together, just keeping the pace high.
Mazzarelli has caught Cook and we have a leading duo! They are being chased by Vague, Lipawsky, Cornelis and - surprisingly - Etxeberdea! Following a bit behind that group are Gormley, Schiltz and Eldfjallsson. Listerijn and Bollinger have completely disappeared from the race. They're outside the top 10 at the moment.
Further behind, Osorio and Mutahi have left Power and Goldenberg behind!
The jumping bars haven't made a big impact on the race so far. But they might become essential to victory later in the race!
Lap 4: Cook and Mazzarelli are relaying well, now. Their gap to Lipawsky, Vague, Cornelis and Etxeberdea is exactly 10 seconds. And growing!
Mazzarelli holds on for dear life on the sand, but all credit to him that he can follow Cook here. Neither risk the jumping bars and make up for lost time on the hills.
Vague now feels it's going too slow. He wants that Superprestige lead and finally attacks, leaving Lipawsky and Etxeberdea behind. Cornelis follows his fellow countryman swiftly.
Cook takes another turn at the front. Ooooh! Unbelievable, this is an outrage! It appears a Vague fan has delivered a punch to Elliot Cook! The Brit is down on the ground. Mazzarelli, who was riding behind Cook at the moment, can't believe his eyes. But he decides to keep going. There's a race going on and he's now riding solo at the front.
Cook is back on his feet. He grabs his side, he's hurting. Vague and Cornelis pass him. Reading Vague's face, you can see he doesn't know what's going on. Cook seems to come back to his senses and looks for his bike. He wants to go on racing! He jumps on his bike and starts riding.
What a dramatic event! We hear the security has gotten hold of the puncher. Surely this story will get a tail. This is unheard of!
Cook is still recovering from the punch he's been dealt, it seems. Race over, I think. But he's fighting. The Superprestige is far from over! However it's incredibly unfortunate that the competition has to be swayed in Vague's direction in such a fashion. Nobody wants this.
What surprises me is that Mazzarelli continues to gain time. He's making no mistakes. Technically he's riding a perfect race. The hills and obstacles are no problems for him. He's even riding comfortably through the sand.
Meanwhile, Cornelis and Vague start looking at each other a bit too often to cooperate fully.
A merge. Gormley and Schiltz have caught up with Lipawsky and Etxeberdea. We have a lone leader, two chasers and then a group of four.
Cook continues to lose time. It'll be a wonder if he finishes this race.
Further behind, Osorio and Mutahi are really riding a great race. Both riders seem to have made a huge step lately and are still looking at a top 15 classification for today's race! Welling and Kloet have teamed up to hold off Goldenberg and Power a bit behind that.
Lap 6: And there are still 3 laps left. What else awaits us in this strange race?
Mazzarelli is being cheered on loudly. 25 seconds. Vague is getting visibly annoyed by Cornelis, who is not his usual self. A problem of form? Either way, Vague is eager to leave Cornelis behind and launches attack after attack, but seeing Cornelis hang on makes him drop the pace again and that doesn't help the chase.
And so the Italian gets a free pass at the moment. Mazzarelli doesn't win often, but today he's got a good chance. If he keeps up his rhythm, I can't see anyone threatening him.
Lap 7: Vague is caught between two fires. He wants to catch Mazzarelli but Cornelis is a sly one and he wants to drop him. Though it seems Cornelis is getting better, he's relaying now. Will this satisfy a nervous Vague?
And it seems the new UCI rule is already working. Further in the field, several riders are fighting hard for every place. Hammarling has just shaken off Josiah Bennett.
And now Ferdi Kloet has a flat tire. Bad moment, as he sees Welling, Power and Goldenberg ride away from him.
Lap 8: The final lap! Mazzarelli has a comfortable lead of 41 seconds over Vague and Cornelis. A stunning gap from the Italian!
The chasing duo is finally working together well, but that's way too late. The victory is gone. Vague should concentrate on winning as many Superprestige points as he can, now.
Because, yes, it's unbelievable but true, Elliot Cook is still in the race. He's riding around in 13th position. By some miracle, he's still in position for Superprestige points. Respect for Cook. Hard-headed, but he's conquering many cyclo-cross hearts today.
Etxeberdea rides away from Schiltz, Gormley and Lipawsky! What a bold move and it seems like it's working! The Spaniard is riding the cross of a lifetime! He's young, and it's nice to meet him here.
And here he is. The triumph of Matt Mazzarelli. Congratulations, quite the victory.
Cornelis and Vague both jump the bars and get ready to sprint for the 2nd place... Vague's speed easily wins it. He's sole leader of the Superprestige. Not in the way he wanted it, probably, but you can't say he stole it. On a terrain as this, a second place is amazing for him.
There comes Etxeberdea. What a race, what a race! And now a sprint.. Lipawsky ahead of Schiltz and Gormley.
Dao finishes off Eldfjallsson for place 8.
And another good young rider finishes 10th. Karol Konva.
Here comes Listerijn. Bollinger has been of incredibly value for him today, keeping him going on.
Loud applause, because here is Elliot Cook. He looks like hell, but he's done it, he even managed to score a few Superprestige points and keep his chances alive. But nobody deserves what has happened to him today. He wasn't able to defend his chances fairly today, but he certainly is the hero of the day. Well done, mate.
Osorio and Mutahi finish 14th and 15th. A huge step forward for both riders.
And so we come to an end of this fantastic race. We saw some great things, and some despicable things. Once again, the fragility of the sport has been illustrated. The riders are so close to the spectators. Most of the time, it's an amazing experience. But sometimes, it can go dreadfully wrong...
You could reckon that Vague wasn't aware for a long time about the Cook incident. Naturally, little attention was paid to the fact that Vague would have lost barely 2 points on this course which had him listed as an outsider. He would have lost that if Cook won and he came 3rd. On a sandy profile. Talk about weak spots...
Instead, it were Cook's loss of at least 12 points (11 to Cook+1) that made the difference in this race, making big headlines ahead of the british block.
Francis, today was a great race from you; but obviously it was also very, very dramatic. What do you have to say about the Cook incident?
Yeah, it's horrible that these things happen in the sport now and then. I havn't seen the footage yet. Was it really an assault? I thought that maybe it was an overecstatic fan reaching too far out... Today especially it is bitter though. I've seen it once in a Junior race, where a guy wanted to help his brother... those guys were kids then, this was a full grown man. I couldn't believe it when my coach told me. Of course, I and every other rider condemn such behavior from the so-called fans. This is crazy, and it has nothing to do in Cyclo-Cross. I'm very sorry it happened to Cook of all people; nobody deserves that, but it hurts a bit more when you are racing for vicotry and for the overall trophy.
Have you thought about stopping. It would have been a massive act of fairplay.
Naturally you think about your options, what you are able to do yourself. Unfortunately Mazzarelli was upfront and so I was bound to race as well. At the end of the day, it's cycling but it's only a sport. So, I thought to continue riding is the best way.
Do you fear a similiar treatment from the british fans now when you head up to the british race circuit?
I.. I don't really think about that. Maybe they throw some beer at me if they are pissed enough. It wasn't my action and I condemn any violence in this sport and in general. I'm sure Cook will be eager to impress his fans then and will come back even stronger.
Mazzarelli was very strong today, whilst Cornelis certainly continues his rise of form... your take on your rivals?
It's great to see Cornelis being on this level again. I tried to shake him off several times, eventually we ended up working together. I had enough energy left to outsprint him, but he also seemed to make it easy on me there. Maybe he knew that every point counts for me, whilst the Superprestige is out of reach for him already. Mazzarelli was really strong as well, he made an impressive ride and I'm sure he could have fought all the way for victory against Cook and us if the race had worked out differently.
Last question then we leave you to the podium ceremony: What's your take on the new UCI rule concerning the World Championships?
Phew, most certainly interesting I guess. From the looks of it,it will make qualification much harder and favor the strong nations like Belgium and New Zealand. It also will favor more attacking riding in the pack behind; that's good for the sport and the fans and the media. Often times, you don't go so deep when you are behind; in this way, you let it slip compared to the top riders, you don't force yourself that much. Maybe this is also good training inside the racing for some, I don't know.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Battered, beaten and visibly exhausted, the body language of Milan Listerijn tells the tale of a young man biting off more than he can chew.
Milan, you cracked completely today. What happened?
I just felt it after a couple of laps, my legs were tired from the injury recovery and the last two races where I went max effort. Michael and I just took turns the whole way as he didn't have the legs either. In the end it's a sign to me that I need to rest, recuperate and come out firing in Aosta. I'll probably race once in the next week, then skip Rasterhoff and train in Italy for the next Coke race.
There was an unfortunate incident earlier in the race with Elliot Cook being punched by a spectator. Thoughts?
What? Far out, that's horrible. Michael offered Cook some support as he was going backwards but he looked munted. Then I saw some guy dressed in Brlgian colors being dragged off by security up the course.... I didn't make the connection though. Oh man that's, that's terrible. I just hope he's ok, in that situation especially it's horrific to have that happen. Hope the guy learns a lesson and these "fans" don't try something like that again. Drunk spectators are a hard-to-solve problem but in an open sport like CX it has to be solved, for our safety and the other fans.
Before the race the UCI held a press conference laying down the new rules for the World Championships. What's your take?
Ummm.... If my season keeps going ok I will qualify, certainly it favors strong countries. It's an OK rule but it makes for a maybe unnecessarily small start list but also interesting racing. I'm all for it because other alternatives take away that excitement of watching the guys at the back as well, it's great for the fans.
We're in Great Britain for the Bristol race! The World Cup continues after the new cross in Africa where the World Champion won his first race this season.
Race Information
Country: Great Britain
City/Place: Bristol
Classification: World Cup
Starting Time (Elite Men): 14h30
Favorites: Francis Vague, Dries Cornelis, Sylvain Lipawsky.
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. Last year, the race made a comeback, after vanishing from the calendar in the 90s. The greatest cyclo-cross rider in history, Pieter Gasthuys, raised his arms here four times.
Route Information
Technical: 5
Sand: 2
Uphill: 4
Cobblestones: 2
The race takes place around the docks. There is only a total of 150 meters of sand per lap, but the sand runs extremely deep. The course takes you up and down constantly, yet still there are two climbs with more than 100 meters climbing, long enough for the real punchers to make a gap.
There are sharp turns everywhere, including one of the most difficult descends on the calendar. Add the cracks in the underground and the cobblestones and you're in for a very demanding ride. Bristol has a history of producing the most surprising winners, will the tradition hold? Last year, Eldfjallsson came out in the open in this race.
Last year, we had ice on the track. It will be another race altogether with the current weather.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: 3° C
Precipitation: Rain, Heavy
Wind: 2 - 3 Beaufort
It's been a while guys!
I'm not gonna go through race by race but I'm having the time of my life with Santos, we've got great spirit and getting good results. Personally I haven't been in top shape but I can feel the form building as we get serious and the road turns up.
One thing I did want to mention is the World Champs rule. It's the best one available other than last season's, but it has one vital flaw from my point of view. The thing is, if an outsider wants to ride a really aggressive race and see what they can do, if they get caught they usually implode, which robs them of points despite animating the race. Or they might keep battling for points, which increases fatigue and may lead to less exciting racing or them burning out.
To combat that they have the choice to be aggressive but not as much, giving them more energy for a good finish but means a) less entertainment and enjoyment and b) less chance of success, which can demotivate them and stop them doing it again. This rule is good in that it increases activity and motivation at the back, but it means that the same old guys will be fighting it out at the front. Even guys who could have a go at a top 10 but don't have a really high chance at it might not go for it, instead conserving energy to beat off those below, rather than clawing up towards the front, which is one of the great things in any sport like this.
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
The World Cup so far has been very kind to Vague. In fact, with some luck - or should we rather say badluck of his competition - combined with his talents, he has established a solid lead. However, the World Cup always presents plenty of numeric opportunities to lose your lead just as easy as you may have gained it.
Vague is well-accustomed to being the leader of a competition by now. He has enjoyed it throughout last season with the Coca-Cola competition, but points out at the World Cup is a different thing all together, and muses pre-race: "In the Coca-Cola rankingsy, you can win or lose all in one day. If you crash, you know. You are gone for good then. This makes you race with a concious mind, to not lose time that you have previously gained. In the World Cup, it's racing for victory that interests you foremost, because you know.. you simply lose points you havn't earned yet. You don't play safe, you go for the win because winning means keeping the lead. There's a way bigger points gap in the World Cup than in Superprestige; each posiiton gets valued then. I like this constant fight, too. It's what sets the World Cup apart. The UCI has done well in turning the World Cup to a worldly affair and increased popularity in the right ways, like showing all races on youtube.." For Vague, winning the World Cup would be immense and his eyes become big when he is asked about the double of World Cup - Superprestige. "I treat each competition as one of its own. I'm leading both now but this can always change. I wouldn't mind if the season was over now, but I'm also glad we are only half-way through. Plenty of races to go."
Last year, Vague missed out on Bristol due to an injury in Lisbon. Whilst the Belgian make amends for this already down in Portugal, he now looks forward to take on Bristol. A race he missed unfortunately last year, but he looks forward to racing it all the same. Not only because his idol Gasthuys is the record keeper, no - but also because the varied race profile favors him well with the turns. "It was very unique last year, I think it was the place where Hafthor raised to new heights." This year, winter hasn't made many moves yet on the peloon - quite unfortunate for the well-known ice specialist Vague. Istead however heavy rain is forecasted and will make the racing to a true mud feast for the specators and fans. Vague rejoices: "It's Cyclocross, I do not expect to get out clean.."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Hey guys, been a while since the last time I could say something without someone speculating on it, so I decided I would shake off the dust from my keyboard.
So it looks like I haven't gotten any 4th places this season yet, which looks kinda weird when you think about it. I actually got more wins than 4th places. Wow. I need to change my blog's banner as soon as possible, possibly before I come 4th in one of the next races cause we all know it's gonna happen sooner or later right? Nah just kidding, would rather change it to forever 1st.
Ok seriously now. I heard too many wrong things about me lately. Someone said I stopped training. Someone said I had enough of this sport and I was going to retire. Was really happy to prove y'all wrong in Lisbon. Truth is that I am just as strong as last year: it's the kids that just keep getting stronger. Actually what I missed in the last part of the season was the pure competitiveness I showed in my first year as pro. Don't get me wrong: it's not that I don't have it anymore. More like I'm more "careful". Must be something that comes with age, I don't know. Perhaps it's something I should train: I don't see it in the older cyclocrossers. Lemme explain: it's like all in a sudden my balls slightly deflated while the rest of my body is still the same. All of this changed now. The good ol' Matt is back.
Lisbon was a truly beautiful race: the crowd were cheering for everyone and I thought it would be the perfect day to redeem myself. When I caught Cook and we kept on relaying we kind of had a silent deal. Both of us didn't want to talk. I thought: "yeah, he'll let me have my 2nd place, that's still something". That's exactly the carefulness I was talking about. The last year I wouldn't even have thought about the 2nd place. I would have Pirazzi'd on the uphill probably and lost the race miserably. Who knows, maybe I would have done it anyway if Cook wasn't punched in the face by the next moron. I hate when a crowd of knowledgeable people is spoiled by a single useless twat. Surely Franny doesn't even want him to be labelled as his fan. Ok rant over now. When I saw Cookie down with that sore look I thought that I would never really manage to beat him head to head for one reason or another so compliantly I just kept on riding. When I saw I was still gaining on Franny and co. I thought "scrap that, this is gonna be a deserved win".
I didn't look particularly happy when I crossed the line for the last time as it seems, first thing I did was waiting for Cook and apologising to him, but he looked quite apathetic, just like a good Brit would do. Some saw him having a good scotch after the race, he probably wants to mask that he's worried about losing Superprestige to Franny. They probably didn't tell him that he's behind me as well. I ain't so close to be first in something since Coca-Cola last year. I will fight with all myself to worry him, he looks too conceited but both of us know he doesn't like losing, which is his weakest point.
See you in Bristol, the place where the most surprising crossers won, last year the Icelandic lad got himself to be well-known, but that was with an even worse weather. Yet, 3°C never happened where I was born as far as I remember, not even in the coldest winters.
Ahhhhhh, Britain. Lovely wet muddy weather. However I'm not racing, well not today. Bristol was the obvious choice to skip here despite the par ours and the muddy weather. I can only hope that Lee Valley brings similar conditions, or colder.
Well it's not often you catch me in a reflective mood but I was just-a reflecting on the season so far. It's been a hell of a ride, from the Dunes to (hopefully) ice soon! Personally I've been having the time of my life, obviously in the NES I'm feeling out the other neo-pros after earlier this year in the U-23s. Obviously Dao and Goldie have been front and center, me, FM and now the Aspque following suit. It may sound dumb but one of my proudest moments was when I got a Cookie nickname! Inter Milan, not sure how that suits but I'm proud to have earnt it!
In terms of progression already I feel a stronger rider. Especially in terms of stamina, hills and technical sections. Nowhere am I the best but if I can say so myself, I am glad to be far from the worst. The places where I think I need to work on now is my sprint and obviously my recuperation between races, with a season like this guys like Vague don't miss out much but still perform consistently. That's something I need to be able to do if I want to be there someday.
In the Coke trophy it's been fun, obviously since 11th in Tekapo I haven't lost time, putting me in second. Well actually I have in Rio but I've more than made it up on Cook. I'm probably going to build my season around it now, the NES slots in as it's always after a Coke race. With the talent behind me you could say I might slip to outside the top 10 but I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll be damned if I don't collapse defending every last second.
Edited by jandal7 on 11-09-2015 10:39
First thing to say - I don't know who you are but to the absolute cretin who decided to come out and hit a rider - if the crappy Portuguese authorities actually grow some stones and catch you I will be throwing the book at you.
Second thing - the silence from the organisation makes me utterly sick. No announcements nothing. Thankfully and respectfully some of the guys in the paddock have been fairly comforting. It seems as if fingers have been pointed at Franny for some reason - lets not be silly he is not responsible for the safety of the riders on the course.
What do I expect - I think really you have to look at races where fans attempt to effect the result of the race and take that race away from the calender. This may seem harsh but the reaction of the police here was utterly pathetic. The guys face is on video for crying out loud - he should be charged and believe me i would press charges all over his ass.
I am hurting right now the cretin had some force behind that punch and I actually have a some heavy bruising. I will be taking it easy in blighty, convenient really cause the weather is absolute crap in Bristol. Last time we had a freezefest and now a wet one - sod that for a game of soldiers really.
Welcome in Bristol for the fifth manche of the World Cup. Francis Vague is leading the competition and is keen to increase his lead. His great performance in Lisbon will stimulate him to go for the win today.
Last year, we saw the Icelandic rider Eldfjallsson take his first win. Bristol is famous for bringing forth surprise winners. Will we see another surprise today?
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 3° C
Precipitation: Rain, Heavy
Wind: 2 - 3 Beaufort
Start Line: It's raining cats and dogs here, really pouring down. I can't say anyone enjoys this but some riders don't mind it as much as others. Someone like Vague or Cornelis are definitely looking up and smiling on the inside. Cook, born in Great Britain, must be familiar with this weather, too. Lipawsky is also said to love this kind of weather in the cross.
Eddie Goldenberg, on the other hand, is not a big fan of this type of weather. With a current 2nd spot in the World Cup, he'll have to be at the top of his game today. Vague will do everything he can to get rid of Goldenberg.
We're about to start the race.
Lap 1: The riders are away! It's Baris Dao who's taken the lead at the start.
First real climb of the day will tell us more about everyone's legs today. We see Mazzarelli coming up to the front. He tries to make speed but his rear wheel slips away in the mud. The rain is pouring down hard and turning this terrain into slippery mud.
This is terrain for real flandriens, so it shouldn't come to a surprise that Francis Vague picks up on the challenge and heads first up the climb.
Lipawsky seems glued to his wheel. Then we see Konva, Eldfjallsson, Dao and then Cook. He seems to be all right after the punch from Lisbon.
Dries Cornelis is recovering from a bad start and moves up quickly into the top 10 here.
Lap 2: Today we'll have 10 laps! We have a crash. Welling is down! Looks like he slipped.
The sand has turned into mud, too. Cobblestones are covered with a slippery layer. This is a very dangerous terrain and tat might explain why the pace is lower than usual. Still, Vague is giving full gas now and putting serious pressure on the guys following him.
Elliot Cook, not easily intimidated, comes up right next to Vague. And there's Lipawsky. Three next to each other. The path gets smaller here, who will go over the top first? The World Champion is the first to hit the brakes... Too brusquely, he nearly goes down! Somehow he manages to stay upright, quite impressive! Cook accelerates and heads downhill first.
Lap 3: All in all, we still have a rather large group together. The dangerous underground makes it almost impossible to get out of the saddle or to accelerate. The speed is quite low so he who makes a mistake is out.
Christian Schiltz, not in the bast shape lately, makes a steering mistake and goes down. He's no the only one, though. Gormley, Carlisle and Bernard have all taken a tumble in the last minute.
The riders are changing bikes twice a lap. The mechanics have a hard job here, cleaning the bike before the riders are back to take it for another spin.
At the front, we have Vague, Goldenberg, Etxeberdea, Mutahi, Bollinger, Cornelis, Cook, Dao, Markson and Lipawsky.
The two Americans have surprised us so far. Goldenberg is not happy with the weather, but he's making the most of it. Markson rides ahead of him and guides him through the rain.
Meanwhile, the weather's getting better. The rain has stopped. But a bit too late, we have water all over the course.
Lap 4: Goldenberg slips! A small steering mistake and he lost control for a second. He's lost contact with the group. Markson looks like he's waiting for Goldenberg, now.
Markson has waited for Goldenberg and is now riding as hard as possible to bring him back to the front. The difference is 9 seconds.
Next victim is Mutahi, who loses contact with the front group, too. The 100m climb is a bit too much for him at this point.
Lap 5: Markson has done all he can. It's up to Goldenberg to close the final 4 seconds.
At the front, Cornelis seems to be growing in confidence. He's taking the lead, now. Cornelis hasn't won a race yet this year, which is unseen for him.
Lap 6: Well, we haven't seen him yet this year and we've missed him. This is the true Dries Cornelis! He's taking charge of the race now and moves through the terrain with seeming ease. Vague knows the danger and follows him closely. Things will get interesting!
And we have a victim! Bollinger can't quite match Cornelis' speed and goes down in the downhill. This is a tricky descent as it is without this mud and Cornelis' second breath.
Goldenberg is still a few seconds behind the group. For him, it's bad news that Cornelis has taken charge.Etxeberdea is having a hard time following the pace up front and falls behind, too. He gets picked up by Goldenberg and tries his luck here.
Lap 7: That leaves 5 riders at the front. Let's take a look at some of the gaps.
Hammarling is doing well today, it seems his form is increasing. If only the winter would fall upon Europe. With a bit of luck, we'll have our first ice race in Rasterhoff next week. But until then, he'll have to do with what he's got. And he's doing good.
Meanwhile, Camilo Osorio is riding in 15th position. The boy is growing and it shows. A top 10 is not too far off now.
Lap 8: Cornelis just keeps batting away at the front. He's completely unleashed, it seems. This is Cornelis as we know him from the old days. But Lipawsky is not taking Cornelis' abuse and even overtakes the ex-World Champion on the slopes! Fantastic move from the world Champion! Vague watches it from the third line. He's riding a bit more defensively than we're used of him, but his World Cup status allows him to play it more defensively.
Oh and it's almost like he heard us, the young Belgian has kept enough in his tank and accelerates! But the terrain doesn't allow these kinds of accelerations and his rear wheel is out of control. He manages to stay upright... And succeeds! Cornelis, bulking from experience, passes him again and takes control of the race. Vague has been put back in his place. This just shows that even though Vague is a class rider and has done so much already, he's still a rather young rider who makes mistakes.
And now Cornelis wants to push his point. He throws himself downhill! It's beautiful to see.
Lap 9: Two laps remain. We're a bit surprised to see Dao still here. What a nice surprise, though. Goldenberg and Etxeberdea are now at 9 seconds, I'm afraid they're not coming back.
Elliot Cook realizes he has to attack to make up points in the World Cup, but with this underground, it's practically impossible to take action.
You can't even tell the riders apart anymore. They're all completely covered in mud. This is cyclo-cross.
Cornelis, still going strong, is ready to inflict a final blow to his opponents. He stays in the saddle but accelerates. Not on the slopes, like most try, but here right next to water, with all the twists and turns.
Dao feels he can't hack the pace and loses contact.
Vague makes a small mistake. Cook gets held up because of it.
Cornelis looks behind him. Only the World Champion is left in his wheel.
Lap 10: We're going into the final lap with two riders. Cornelis and Lipawsky.
However, Dao, Vague and Cook have now teamed up and are chasing the leaders. They're 6 seconds behind.
Cornelis tries to get Lipawsky to relay. Lipawsky hesitates... But he takes the bait!
The chasing trio can't seem to catch up, though, they'll be fighting for one final podium spot.
Meanwhile, Goldenberg and Etxeberdea are still working together well. Goldenberg won't lose much in this World Cup, considering the weather.
And there come Cornelis and Lipawsky. This race will be decided in the sprint! Cornelis forces Lipawsky to take the lead. Lipawsky looks behind and sees Dao, Vague and Cook come dangerously close, so he launches his sprint!
Cornelis waits... Does he have anything left? Yes he does! Cornelis overtakes Lipawsky and wins the Bristol race!
Bristol almost always brings forth surprising winners. You could argue even Cornelis is a surprise winner today. He takes his first of the season.
Vague outsprints Dao and Cook for the remaining podium spot.
Then it's Goldenberg and Etxeberdea, followed not too far behind by Bollinger.
Mutahi is a surprising 9th. Mazzarelli completes the top 10!
That was it for Bristol. See you tomorrow at Lee Valley. After the effort the riders put in today, it's bound to be a brutal and exhausting race tomorrow! See you there.
Bristol was an mudfeast par excellence, so rainy deep it's a of a rare kind. Cyclo-Cross in its purest form. Vague prevailed under these conditions and showed his quality as a true flandriennes. Unfortunately, former World Champion Cornelis is arguably still the best rider when it comes down to these conditions.
Francis, stunning ride by the whole peloton... how was it riding here today?
Certainly a true challenge. We've had so far a moderately calm autumn and today it came all down. That's makes for quite some unexpcted racing when you're not used to it so much. English weather, eh they said. I had some problems at times to keep control. In fact, it made for some real defensive riding, because it was hard to attack successfully more than usual. Just think, you ride at the speed limit of what's possible, try to keep upright all the time, and of course when you attack you just add a whole lot of risk. So, uh.. yeah, it was good riding. Nice to watch for the audience, but yeah, I had hoped to maybe get a gap at some point.
What are specifically the challenges riding in such weather?
First, you have to focus and be concentrated all the time. It's a challenge itself to move up ahead, it's slippery, deep confusing, wild... But it's not just that you have to keep it cool and stay on the bike. It's a race so it always depends on what your competition does, you know. You are dependend on the competition, what they do and how they take on the race. We had an intruiging mix of strategies here. Sommething very interesting, both tactically and abilitiy-wise, is how to time your attacks when it's a race that doesn't make for good attacks like Bristol today.
There was certainly a minimum of succesful attaccks. Did this suit the other riders more than you?
Yeah, probably. Cornelis is an artist when it comes to riding in mud and at his age, he doesn't place so many attacks anymore but he is certainlly one of th.. maybe the best at riding a killer pace. I'd have liked to win here in Bristol very much, Cornelis is now very close in the World Cup.
Indeed, only a handful of points seperate you two from each other. Cornelis has had a bad start to the season but has certainly made up ground in the past few World Cup races. How do you rate your chances to keep the lead?
I'm not worried yet. Of course the World Cup has been Cornelis' play-thing for the past few years and he knows this competition better than anyone else. But there are also a couple of races that will suit me very well. It's going to be a close enough competition but that was to be expected in such a diverse, high-quality field.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Lisbon - Preview
Bristol - Preview 
