Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 12°
The cyclo cross world saw a wonderful race of elimination in which Stybar prevailed over Nys, Albert and Wellens. The 4 laps didn’t allow for much attacking as the favourites kept the pace high. The long downhill and following uphill section mostly brought the peloton back together. Eventually, a sprint of only 4 riders decided the winner: It was czech, two times world champion Stybar who triumped over his competitors and took his first win of the season.
I was quite pleased with my performance. The first two laps saw heavy rain, but then the sun came out. I lost the contact to Nys and the others in the third lap but rode a good pace of my own. This allowed me to pass several other riders and still finish on a solid 8th place. I wasn't too exhausted and think that I could have handled the third lap better.
Impressions
Spoiler
I crashed in the downhill in the first lap. Took me quite hard. Mourey is there too on this picture. Both of us came back eventually.
Taking the various downhills from there on a bit more careful, but not any less easy.
Well, look who it is. The sun comes out to play.
The elimation race has demanded quite some sacrifices. Amongst them are both of my teammates. It’s a constant fight for the best position and I’m at the end of things, trying to make up time somehow.
When Sven Nys is behind you, you know at least you have done one thing right.
To say the elimatnation continues would be wrong, since it never stops. It’s full on-going. Stybar, Albert and Walsleben have extreme pace at the front of the group.
I got dropped but I ride my own race. This allows me to move up some places as well, overtake riders that invested too much into hanging with Group Nys.
Stybar continues the high-pace over the parcours. He really is eager for the win. As the group remains for some time at the size of 7, Stybar decreases it further in the last climb to 4. Sven Nys meanwhile wants to drop all of the other riders for good as he knows he doesn’t stand much chance today in a sprint.
Nys still holds up great, but eventually, Stybar is just too strong.
Superprestige Hamme-Zogge Braet performes exception while favourites disappoint
Startlist: All favourites.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature 8°
While surely one of the flatter, less difficult races, this can’t be called a rehab at all. It’s not as super tough as previously the bpost Koppenberg or Superprestige Zonhooven, but the many small hills demand lots of cautioness. As such, Hamme-Zogge proved to be a great race to watch. Jeannesson, Mlynar, Huys and Braet got off to a perfect start early on, when they managed to snitch by the favourites and ride their pace throughout the race. Many of the favourite, especially Nys, seemed to struggle. It’s clear that the tough performances of the previous races took their toll on the riders.
The Belgian Superstar failed to score points for the Superprestige Classements today as he finished 16th. This means that Albert is now the new leader of the superprestige classement. Important points also scored Meeusen and Visconti, who set themselves apart.
If it wasn’t for the four guys up front, who escaped so early on and performed exception well, I would won have. But woulda, coulda… you know. It doesn’t matter. I didn’t win. I scored fifth place. My father is happy for me. He told me, that it is an incredible result. My first professional Top 5 on the highest level. I feel rather bitter though. But I must admit: It’s hard to regret anything.
I noticed early on that the favourites were struggling today, that they weren’t themselves. That’s why I attacked two times but not a single time did I get anywhere. Only in the last lap, I managed to get some breathing distance between me and them, and once they lost me out of the sight, I was gone. Now, was I so strong today? I felt good, but no… I wasn’t stronger than in previous races. The opposition just showed some weaknesses. Next time, I’ll take more advantage of that. For now, I stand equal with legendary Sven Nys in the Superprestige Classification.
Impressions
Spoiler
Quickly getting back on your bike: One of the most important parts of Cyclo Cross.
Wellens attacks, I’m quick to follow. I think that I like the up and down of the road. It’s unique to ride on them. The entire crowd looks at us, and I decide to push a little bit more. Later on, Gadret, Boom and Van der Haar join Wellens and me, and I have to look out for myself and counter, otherwise I’d have lost ground.
Those bridges are under Flemish rule. Meanwhile, me and the other guys get caught again.
The four riders up front are really strong today. It’s no coindience that they lead the race. They have pushed from the get-go and really show impeccable spirit to win.
Crossing bridges. That’s all I wanna do-o-o.
A quick bike change for Mlyandar and as he gets out, he still has some lead left on his former companions thanks to his earlier attack.
I can’t see it well while racing, but when my dad shows me his pictures, I am really impressed by the whole area and the crowd. It looks fantastic and it’s lots of fun to ride. Especially when you are right up there with the best cyclo crossers of the world.
My deciding attack of the day. Only Meeussen can follow me. It’s only like 3-4 kilometers from here on out. I fear that he will pass me in the sprint, but I prevail.
If a Top 5 feels already so utterly great and rewarding, wait until I’ll get my first win.
@Kiserlovski01: Thanks man. Graphics will get even better now that the road season is likely to continue in PCM 2013. But of course before that, we enjoy cyclo cross racing. As for the good results: Well, cyclo cross isn't quite so competitive (in PCM Gameplay) as normal PCM.
Edited by Shonak on 18-02-2014 14:35
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
@Kiserlovski01: Thanks man. Graphics will get even better now that the road season is likely to continue in PCM 2013. But of course before that, we enjoy cyclo cross racing. As for the good results: Well, cyclo cross isn't quite so competitive (in PCM Gameplay) as normal PCM.
That's true, as a Belgian I'm really in love with this sport
@duxili: It will but just not yet...
@Kiserlovski01: Haha, yeah. Plenty of Cyclocross to go around.
Bpost Bank Trofee - Hasselt Winter Wonderland Frustration
Startlist: All favourites included.
Cannondale: Johnson, Trebon, Visconti.
Temperature: 11°
Today everything was on my plate. I knew I had it in me. I always did. The route was fine to ride. Lots of snow lay around the road. There was no burning in my chest, but just the will to win.
We had luck as we formed a large break to begin with. Nys, Albert, Stybar and the others set quite some pace at the start, but our attacks paid off eventually. I don’t know what happened exactly but we pushed ourselves forward. You ride faster when you know you are in the lead. You carry your bike easier when you have to hold up with the guy ahead of you. You run with more willpower when you know you run for the win. And of course, you ride fiercely when you have set your eyes on the victory… I had my sights on today’s victory.
I felt clearly the strongest. I took the most turns, I ran the fastest. I knew I had it in my legs and lungs… I was right there at the heat of the action. Nys, Albert and the others, they didn’t stand a chance against us today. Or maybe they let us go away. We were gunning for it. I was almost there. About 4 kilometers left. I knew the finish would come soon.
But then I crashed. I crashed. Merely meters from the goal. I crashed.
Knowing that I lost the win, I didn’t even want to get up. The ground was surprisingly hard. Not the mud I came to know. It felt like the harshness of reality. Something that would want to hinder my every move, that would lay itself over my doings and make them all worthless. Call it the crushing of dreams or call me a drama queen, but I was on the floor and nothing could move me. I didn’t think about the time I lost, about the general classification of Bpost Bank Trofee. I wanted to lie here and stare at the sun…
As I mentioned, the break did really well so it came to no surprise that one of my former companions took the win. Roy Van Heeswijk was the lucky man as he had clearly the most energy left and outsprinted the other guys very clearly. While Jeannesson once more got a great result and proves his great form, Albert, Nys and Stybar nearly would have caught the break still. They all got the same time eventually, while I got a buckload of 2 minutes on my back...
Impressions
Spoiler
Should have maybe changed my bike when I had the time for it.
I lead the group over a climb. Weirdly enough, 4 riders of BKCP – Powerplus are behind us. It’s only them though. No Albert, no Walsleben. Seems like they got the freedom to go for themselves today, and when that’s the case, all four of them try it?
Down- ma hill. Despite the snow, it’s actually really great to ride. A bit frozen at times, but great nonetheless.
Walsleben, Albert and Pauwels go for it. Nys didn’t react, Stybar either. Walsleben surely is a true powerhouse, doing so much work always.
My last picture of glory before I fell down and lost my chance to win today.
Roy Van Heeswijk clearly outsprints the other guys.
After yesterday’s disappointment in Hasselt, it took me some time to get up. I didn’t have much time to complain though. Yesterday I dragged myself under the shower and fell asleep for a while in the shower. The next morning, I wasn't particularly eager to start racing already again, despite the anger I had towards myself.
The beauty of sport though: It’s not war. Once you wake up the next morning and you see your bike, you feel this tickle in your legs. Your mind jumps up and down and screams yes. You want to race again. You have a new chance, and you are feeling well and fit and that’s when you are ready to take on the whole world. I failed yesterday, but I’ll succeed. That is to say, I’ll succeed eventually…
Aernoauts takes win ahead of Van der Haar!
Startlist: All favourites included.
Cannondale: Driscoll, Johnson, Visconti.
Temperature: 7°
Aeronauts surprised today many spectactors (and me as well), when he showed a strong first half and then completely stunned everybody in the sprint. Most prominent rider who got beat by him was Van der Haar, while the top riders like Nys, Albert and Stybar finished further down the road. Aeronauts, Van der Haar, Gadret and some others took control of the race at the end of the first half and their riding was so pushing and unforgiving that all of them deserved the win.
I myself had the legs to definitely compete for the finale; however as so often I got stuck when one of the most important moments arrived. And then it just passed me. I was a bit disappointed at this, but quickly I got myself back up and rode together with Mourey our own race. I scored some points to keep myself in the fight for Superprestige Classification. Thanks to the break riders I havn’t lost too much ground in that regard.
Impressions
Spoiler
Mourey and me side by side. At the start of the race. We’d end up together in the end eventually again.
What a course, eh? I’m a bit more upfront but anybody rarely has time to enjoy a downhill in competition. Despite the concentration and efforts, thankfully, you still get impressed now and then though by the road, fans and scenery.
People clapping for me? I don’t think so. Rather for Van der Haar who is next to me. But then again, probably not even for him. But rather they may clap for all of us.
