By the way, @all: It's likely that I'll switch to PCM 2013 for the road season. So the Topic might end up in PCM 2013 Story Forum. I'll first need some "training rides" in the game though and we'll see how I like it.
Edited by Shonak on 13-02-2014 18:49
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Superprestige – Ruddervoorde Surprise Victory by Radomir Simunek!
Startlist: All favourites. Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Viscontp.
I begin my season in Ruddervoorde when others look forward to ending theirs. The first Cyclocross race of my yet so young and promising career starts in the mud of Ruddervoorde. This just seems all the more fitting. Light dizzy rain drops on my skin, hardly anybody seems to mind and I collect the remaining raindrops with my lips to pass the nervousness until the start. It works somehow I guess as I nearly missed the call...
Some guys start the race really fast while I still struggle to even get a constant pace and rhythm to ride. They push me to the left and to the right. I remind myself that this is world elite. I nearly fall into the mud. This is where I belong. A not so distant call reminds me to stay focused. I hear the camera of my dad, how it clicks and how he makes his photos. Shift the focus to the race old man, don’t capture me suffering.
If he’d pay more attention, he’d noticed that Mourey, Simunek and Taramarcrz got away when there was a bit of a huddle in the peloton. Many riders came to stop when he hit the cobbles and in the first round they set themselves apart. The remaining ones in oour hour of racing where bitterly fought out between them and three more riders. I think their names were Aeronauts, Wubben and Zlamalik. So they all rode and fought against each other, while the sun slowly came out and made all the mud on my jersey dry, and eventually, as all things did, it’d disappear. I didn’t go anywhere though.
I had some problems with the jumping down from the bike and I lost quite some time. Often times I had to close gaps that appeared because of my lacking skills. While I have the strength and passion to carry my bike for hours and miles, I just can’t seem to get my head around jumping off at time. It’s a distinctive skill I was missing in my youth years and I never managed to shake it off, to have to jump of my bike because I can't ride there. When I couldn't ride somewhere, it always just meant for me to try harder.
When Nys and Albert did their magic, I had nothing to set against them. I tried to shake off some of the guys in the downhills but they just shoved my face right into the mud. Was that where I belonged? I couldn’t keep up with Stybar, Meeusen and Pauwels but I fended off Van der Haar, a young promising rider who hasn’t reached his full potential by far yet. If I want to become successful, a new Nys or Vos, this guy will be one of my main contenders when the old guns retire… in like 100 years…
But still, all of Nys and Albert’s efforts came too late, as Simunek took the win in Ruuddervoorde ahead of Taramarcz and Mourey. All three have proven to be in quite some early season form. They started really fast and fended off the chasers until the end. So, definitely compliments to them for an exciting race… I need to get a shower.
(Check the spoiler for further pictures after every race report!)
Impressions
Spoiler
The startline. Hey dad, do you see me?
Riding next to Sven Nys while you fight for your place in the peloton is something special. Traditionally he wears the number 1. That’s a sight you better get used to: Sven Nys is the most regular defender of a race you’ll ever meet.
Marcel Meisen crashes right next to him, head to navigate quite a bit and push my handle bar hard to the left to not get caught by him. This is something that happens all the time in the peloton. It’s just the first time it happens next to me… quite a special feeling. It shows me I’m riding cyclocross now. You could say it’s a ritual for participation.
It may not look like it but I’m struggling already the faster the race gets. I have to focus hard to keep myself ahead of the pack, to not lose any places. Nys, Albert and the all the big shots are not really pressing so hard yet as Mourey & Co. have a little lead.
Some action shots of me how I push over the hills… really cool, eh? Don’t worry, my lung burns and my finger freeze. My feet are already cold stones, ready to be broken by a single touch. I should have put on some longer shorts. That’s what I get for trying to look cool.
Albert and Nys are gone, behind me is former World Champion Zdenek Stybar and I head down this little downhill in hopes of gaining some time on the others, to try to make the race fast. Well, what can I say? 19 years old and no respect for anything. Yup. That’s just me…
Super-dynamic action shot as I sprint for… 9th place. Alone. Well, gotta take what you get.
Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 14°
My second race of the season has yet produced another surprise winner. Things are turning up-side down since I joined cyclo cross. Maybe I’m sort of a nice talisman for all those people who wanted to see some different riders on the top step for once? Well, that is to say: Until I shall start my reign one day… But I get way, really way ahead of myself.
In any case, a sport that is awfully known for having “always the same guys” winning now presents itself with some surprising open field?
Peeters took the win at Bpost Bank Trofee – Ronse. It was a race with changing weather, however there was always a certain mist on the road and the clouds always warned us that it’d rain eventually.
Especially the cobblestone took me quite hard at various points. Say what you will: I love them, but they don’t love me back. Not even a tiny little bit. And the race wasn’t nice to me either. My teammate Johnson managed to get some gap onto the top riders like Nys, Nys and… Nys, but Rabobank made an all-out attack early on. Van der Haar, Boom and Teunnissen switched to really heavy gear and invested lots of energy to even break free. Mourey was the only one aware enough to follow. I thought about going too but I had no idea how I’d react to the cobblestones at that time and didn’t want to risk too much. One thing about the mud: It drains your power. It really does. And despite popular thinking of Cyclo Cross being just us guys riding full throttle from past to finish, I can say, well – it’s a bit more complex than that of course.
When Nys and Pauwels set themselves apart at around the half of the distance, I didn’t have anything left in me. The rain poured down on me, the chain was blocking my every move. I searched for lame excuses and I found them in the mud. It’s really frustrating at times, and I only just started yet. Leave me be please, I told my dad when he shouted to me that I should change my bike. Unwillingly, I spent some more seconds there, just to breathe… as it turned out, in the end I was just missing these seconds.
You see to remind you of bpost classification: It’s based upon time, and everybody who has more than 5 minutes, well – gets 5 minutes. I got 5 minutes and one freaking second. I really don’t care about that second I gained through that, but I’m really disappointed at even being included in this rating. Despite the hardships and the energy I put into this race, I get just the same time with guys that didn’t even finish. I understand the sense behind the whole logic, but come on… I should have deserved better than this. I should have rode better than that.
Impressions
Spoiler
Johnson and the guys. They tried an early split but it didn’t really work out so well for them. Meanwhile, I`m getting used to climb up, and down, and up and down again… all with some lovely rain.
Van der Haar, Boom, Mourey and Peeters didn’t have much mercy with Johnson. He can see from atop here the other guys, but where the hell is he? Well, he’s about to get caught…
Passing some Belgians, they truly live for this sport. Some great atmosphere and no matter how cold it is, there’s also room for a drop of beer.
Idiot me trying to follow Pauwels and Nys attack. No words can describe how stupid I felt afterwards. And how incredibly exhausted.
+
Drrr, drrr, drrr... cobblez-z-z-z.
Boom, Van der Haar, Mourey and Peeters struggling. Nice shot, dad!
The winning attack by Peeters.
Nys and Pauwels hunt down Van der Haar, Boom and Mourey.
Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 16°
Well, okay – I don’t know if the weather can be described as sunny. For our usual climate? Probably yes. What I know for sure is that Nys wins comes hardly surprising. While Albert was the first to attack, Nys came in strong in the last time climbing the hill and made the final push. The gap he got on his competitors was just big enough to make it towards the finish without having to sprint for the win and he had more than enough time to enjoy and celebrate his victory. The Belgian champ takes therefor the lead in the World Cup for now. One rider in particular is probably disappointed: Zdenek Stybar missed out on winning his home country but lucky him, there’s still another chance.
I myself was in a good position for the best part of the hour. While the usual pace of the rac, is still something I have to get used to, I avoided the crashes and any problems. However I felt like the pace wasn’t as high as it could have been. Add to this the fact that the course wasn’t as tough as other routes, plus the field surprisingly stayed together for quite a while and you get my drift. When Albert attacked no one followed instantly. Pauwels and Nys saved their energy a bit, while Stybar struggled a bit far back. Eventually all three of them caught up to Albert though, while I was still stuck in the group and had to find a way through all the other riders. I think I could have finished one or two places higher if I had a better position.
In any case, my father and I are extremely happy that I finished 8th in my first World Cup race. We called our mom and she couldn’t believe it. Although she saw the race herself. She's just like that: A bit surprised by things she already knows.
I always thought that rain and mud are my best companions for racing, but maybe it turns out that the sun suits me even better.
Impressions
Spoiler
Me and the guys pushing up the hill. Shortly after, we have to jump off our bikes because… damn, it just becomes impossible to ride.
Bumpy, curvy roads and I’m looking for my balance, but don’t worry: No crash happened. However, I did risk quite something as I try to catch up with Van der Haar and some other sup front. Albert already attacked.
Me pushing over the hill to get to Mourey and Van der Haar. Some other riders are there too, but they couldn’t hold their high pace from the start.
Stybar and Pauwels hunt down Nys – without success.
Last kilometers: I set out to overcome Mourey and pass him in the sprint. The crowds are fantastic!
World Cup Plzen Polish rider Gil triumphs in Plzen
Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 18°
On a particularly sunny day in wonderful Plzen the Cyclo Cross nation has seen another surprise winner in the form of polish rider Gil. Local favourite Stybar only managed 5th and may have every reason to be disappointed now. Sven Nys and Niels Albert completed the podium at the finish sprint of 10 riders.
Mariusz Gil presented himself in an impeccable form early on. Amongst others, my teammate Johnson went with him. The start was very hectic and I managed to snatch away too in a curve. I followed Van der Haar, Simunek, Wellens and Gil. But Johnson and I noticed after some time that today would be very tough for both us. I didn’t have the legs to ride well today, Johnson was getting tired after lots of pace making. Eventually, I dropped and couldn’t hold the pace by Van der Haar & Co. I was then quickly reeled back in by Stybar, who did a lot of work and rode like a tank through the mud – no compromise. He was with Nys and Pauwels, while Albert and Meeusen were caught behind and seemed to suffer…
In the last lap I hit the wall and couldn’t put in much anymore. I sneaked through the mud, I was so slow.
Albert and Meeusen caught up to Nys, Stybar and Pauwels. It seemingly happened out of nowhere apparently. I myself had stayed some time with Albert in a group and I didn’t think he’d manage to come back to Nys and Stybar.
Gil attacked from the front of the race, seeing as the favourites came closer. His brave attack was successful and when the favourites realized that Gil would win the stage for sure, they saved their energy for the bunch sprint and played a game of cat & mouse.
Impressions
Spoiler
That’s how beautiful the fields and parks can be that we are riding. Join the fun!
Pushing hard the limits in the downhills. Cyclo cross is mostly full throttle from start to finish, and thus you can’t grant any meters, even in the descent.
My attack in order to catch up to Group Van der Haar. I think it left me too exhausted for the remaining laps.
Tough times. I’m close to dropping here.
Stybar looking for us. You can spot us in the background.
Try to recover in the downhill, while you have to close a gap. Yeah. That plan won't work, believe me. Tough times.
Nys and Stybar are loose, hunting for the guys up front and trying to keep Albert and the others on distance.
Bunch sprint of the guys. Albert takes 2nd ahead of Nys. Van der Haar, Stybar and Pauwels stood little chance in the sprint after this intense finish.
Really like the beginning, you can understand who Raphel is.
For the racing, big fight for correct places. I have never played cross, so I don't know if we can expect a win now and then?
@duxili: I like to have fast starts so that people can see the aspects of the story and decide early on if this is a story they wish to follow or not. I slow down the pace of posting over time I guess. I really enjoy the story though.
A win, yes... at some point eventually. He is still young.
@admirschleck: Thanks mate. Podium places in his first season would be a great success already.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Bpost Bank Trofee – Koppenberg Sven Nys dominates at the Koppenberg
Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 5°
I think one lap of the Koppenberg would be enough for most people. We take this combined beast of nature and human architecture ten times on. 10 laps of sheer insanity. 10 laps where you will have to overcome your urge to give up. Where you will want to quit and say no, no more. 10 laps in which you suffer on and on, and 10 laps in which you will surprise yourself over and over again, thinking: Yes, I made it, I can do it again…
And as it starts to rain just as I come out of my tent, I know that this day would see tired legs, muddy faces and hurting time gaps. It’s cold. The Koppenberg looks like a battlefield in the clouds.
During the entire race, there was no remorse, no mercy. We didn’t deserve it anyway. I was fighting with myself right from the start. I heard about this climb, it was dangerous and vicious. My father once raced it, I on the other hand was almost a bit scared. Maybe it was time to face the boogeyman. I had no anxious butterflies in my stomache. I wasn't happy about today. I remember I gulped so loud, right before we hit Koppenberg the first time, I thought the entire peloton must have heard it.
Many riders had problems during the first few times climbing the Koppenberg. Stybar and Pauwels struggled a bit early on, but once they got their rhythm, they came back. I hanged on through large parts of the race. When I felt comfortable, I even attacked. Or at least I tried to. Rather soon however my attempt proved to be worthless as Sven Nys proved to be in fantastic form. He basically smashed everybody to the floor and rode calm to the finish… but for me, my day was far from over. I formed a group with Pauwels and Aeronauts. Together we tried to drop the others. I might have overstepped the line as I couldn’t hold on once Pauwels got away. Albert passed me at some point. He must have crashed earlier or something may have been wrong with the bike, as he now overtook us easily. Albert was on a mission to decrease the time on Nys and he was truly unleashed in furious manner. Eventually he’d be the only one who didn’t lose over 5 minutes on Nys.
Meanwhile I… I… was just finished when I finally had done the final lap. Exhausted, shattered. Like someone chewed me and spit me out again. Everything hurt. My tights hurt, my arms were so wet. My feet were ice clumps, my face just a caricature of a muddy picture that someone dropped to the floor and stepped on…
...But I was also 6th at the finish line. And slowly a feeling called bliss banished all sorts of fatigue and pain out of my body for today.
Impressions
Spoiler
Do you like to see me suffer? Well, here you have it. The Koppenberg.
Mourey on top of the… Koppenberg. Weather’s shit, downhill is crazy, pain is to be felt everywhere. Gotta love Cyclo Cross.
Nys and me riding through the mud alongside each other. One of his guys is up front and controls the pace. There’s actually no need for that. It’s incredible fast all by its own.
Nys rides away and greets his fans. He set himself apart from the riders and there’s no real chance for anyone to catch him anymore. It’s Sven Nys. It’s his victory.
Albert catching up to me. Well, that’s what you get when you try your luck…
Niels Albert and everybody behind him suffering. He will be the only one who can limit his time loss today on Nys.
Me and Mourey, just riding to make this day go over.
Launching my sprint on the last meters and grabing my best result so far. Coming in 6th on such a incredible, tough stage. That almost feels worth it. I feel like I’m on the right track.
I'm glad you like it. 
