SportingNonsense wrote:
Cyclocross World Cup heads to the UK this weekend for the first time. I'm going along to watch, looking forward to it!
Certainly a good thing of the new UCI that they seem to pay more attention to other cycling discplines and look to promote them at the (hopefully) right new places and countries. Really seem to want to let the sport as whole(!) grow, which at least is an admirable goal.
Always look forward to the UCI World Cup races since they are the only ones where I understand the commentator. Edited by Shonak on 29-11-2014 02:54
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
No Van der Poel but still a worthwhile race in Milton. Nys with a mechanical in one of the first turns spent the whole race catching up. Pauwels in some stunning form.
Wonder if I have seen SN by any chance. Quite a crowd, british audiences are real enthusiastic about cycling, just great.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Two great races. Big head to head in the Women's between Cant and Compton, with Compton looking to have won it before Cant nipped past on the line. Men's race was very competitive too, hard to call until the end - Nys' comeback attempt was interesting to follow too.
The course seemed to be a good one too, though I am no expert on cyclocross courses. Laid out over a hillside so plenty of up and town, which made it good for spectating too since I could often see multiple parts of the course from one spot.
Sorted a few pictures from the Women's race so far
First insane pace by Van der Poel and then Van Aert and now a great surprise attack by Adams. Boy, those youngsters are on fire in Hamme-Zogge and sure add their value to the CX races. Caught by now though, so hopefully Van der Poel can make something happen after struggling a bit mid-race due to early pacing.
Great pics SN!
Edited by Shonak on 30-11-2014 14:45
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Amazing fight between Van der Poel and Van Aert, very exciting. Wout's sprint is out of this world! Van der Poel second then, once again a stunning ride by him.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pics! Looks like it was quite a muddy race.
Well, looking at the pictures and watching some races I have to say I slowly but surely become a big fan of cyclocross. Huge thanks to all of you because this thread rose my attention to it and I can not stop following the results.
Yes, it was pretty muddy in areas. Dry on the day but I think there had been plenty of rain overnight and on previous days. There was one crossing point (on the route) in particular on the route which was really muddy and sticky. Challenging enough to walk across in boots, never mind cycle over it!
Štybar will not ride his home World Championship in Tábor, my year is ruined, as i will be there again and wont see my hero trying to reach his 4th crown.
Edit: Reasons are mainly lack of proper training during majority of autumn and also lasting pain in shoulder, that he had surgery on. He does not want to risk another fall and does not only wnat to take part and suck.
I hope he changes his mind at some point, because he says it makes him very sad, because it is home WC. Now he says that chance is 1%
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 05-12-2014 07:28
Man crap news indeed. I probably/might be in Tabor too and had hoped to see the crowd go crazy each time Stybar passes them. Won't be the same without him then.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Štybar will not ride his home World Championship in Tábor, my year is ruined, as i will be there again and wont see my hero trying to reach his 4th crown.
Edit: Reasons are mainly lack of proper training during majority of autumn and also lasting pain in shoulder, that he had surgery on. He does not want to risk another fall and does not only wnat to take part and suck.
I hope he changes his mind at some point, because he says it makes him very sad, because it is home WC. Now he says that chance is 1%
Wasn't Contador saying something similar before the Vuelta?
As you guys, i hope that he will change his mind, because it would hurt the atmosphere and my experience from the race for sure. On the other hand, World champs are always (i have been visiting two in Tabor in the past) veyr international feast of sport, so there are lot of fans cheering anyway. But of course biggest roar would be reserved for local hero Štyby.
Contador is another case, as he is not ridinh two disciplines, where one can endanger the second one, that should be more important now.
Let me know Shonak or anybody else if you will visit the race, we can say Hi to each other. Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 05-12-2014 09:11
If you're going, I would definitely go see the U23 race, too. With Mathieu Van Der Poel against Wout Van Aert it might even be better than the Elite Men race
Quite a crowd, british audiences are real enthusiastic about cycling, just great.
