Looks like CycloCross has found its own 'Mr 80%' in Listerijn. I call either bullsh*t or he's following strongly in Riis footsteps, if you know what i mean. But i don't want to get hung up on Milan.
I can't explain quite why Trondheim was quite as good as it was for me. Others just seemed to be having off days or were fatigued from other recent races. Radio was invaluable yet again and has kept me in with a shot at the World Cup Podium. Just one Cup race to go in the Ardennes. I'll keep racing the full schedule but i wont be taking any risks in upcoming races. I will need every ounce of strength for that one.
Hammer Time
And the Scandinavian adventure comes to a close. Great series of races for me. A win and two podiums, could not have been better. Time to recover now. Couple of races before the Worlds but the course won't suit me. No my eyes shift forwards to the Cobbled races of Ansbach, Kwaremont and Arenberg towards the end of the calendar. More races i can win.
Next year perhaps i'll delay the start of my Cross season. The best events for me are these later ones, so why not come in with less fatigue and really go all out for as many race wins as possible? I'll need to talk with Odjfell... as soon as they stop ranting about Edjfallssons ridiculous penalty.
Ice + World Cup + Eldfjallsson is really an ideal combination, as Haftor picked up his 2nd World Cup win of the season, and 3rd consecutive podium. In Pyeongchang we saw exactly why Iceland are a big supporter of the drive to add cyclo-cross to the Winter Olympics. The country has never won an Olympic gold medal, and actually, no medal of any colour in the Winter games. The national federation is hopeful of a succesful outcome in the bid, with recent seasons really showing the globalisation of the sport beyond the Benelux region. It's not unreasonable that 2018 could see the first Winter medals for both Iceland and Gabon, which would be an amazing outcome for the IOC.
Together with Hammarling, Team Odfjell make for a fearsome threat on the Ice, and we saw that in Torku where good teamwork ensured that Vague would not take the win, while Hafthor settled for 3rd.
Now today in Trondheim they were together again, this time against Dries Cornelis. This time it played out in Hafthor's failure, and it was a fantastic victory. Cornelis was well beaten in the sprint, and he knew it - yet in an act of awful sportsmanship rode straight towards the barriers, motioning as if he had been hindered. Such actions have no place in Cyclo-cross, just as diving has no place in football. Certainly the jury showed no interest in the Belgain's false proclamations, and Hafthor was free to celebrate on top of the podium, just as deserved.
So these late revelations are an absolute scandal. It's well known that the relationship between UCI and Cornelis is much like the now-exposed relationship they once held with a certain Lance Armstrong. Far too friendly, and perhaps inappropriately so. Rumour has it that UCI officials called up from Switzerland demanding he be made the winner, in order to increase his chance of defeating Vague for the overall standings. Of course the team officials are fuming, and are demanding a reinstation of the true result, and a string of resignations.
Hafthor himself was unavailable to comment. There's a reason the media refer to him as 'The Silence' after all.
The race was not about myself or my performance in it. It was about all the drama coming after we had all crossed the finish line.
It was a well earned victory by Eldfjallsson who fought hard to out sprint Cornelis who simply didn't have the strength to win. But it was announced to all the teams that the UCI had decided to award Cornelis the win after deciding that the sprint from the winner was irregular. In some circumstances in a road event this may be a fair call but this is Cyclo-Cross. We all fight hard for our positions and that does sometimes require contact. In a sprint you are also supposed to be tactical which is exactly what Hafthor was.
I have seen and heard that he is rather friendly with the UCI and he is up there in second in the World Cup rankings so the extra points from the win move him ever closer to Vague. This is absolutely disgraceful, everyone in the peloton should be treated equally by the UCI and this event has angered many.
The other big talking point among the media has come from Milan Listerijn who claimed, alongside another rider, to have been riding around 80% and not actually trying to go for a better place in the last race. Myself and Sow find this worse than the whole Cornelis thing. Cycling is a spectator sport and we rely on people coming to watch to keep us and the sport going. They expect and deserve 100% from any of the top 10 or so riders and just because you can't win doesn't mean you can't go for the podium. This is also a disrespectful statement towards other riders who he rode away from as he thinks that he is the s***.
Let's just say if he falls in front of me I will keep riding, look back and laugh at him
Well it turns out suggesting that you didn't want to break your face on some ice right before the three biggest races of your career isn't in fashion right now.
So, I do feel I owe some people, but not all, an apology over what I did (or didn't?) say. What I meant by 80% isn't that I wasn't trying to go for the victory, rather that I didn't want to take the ice sections too hard. I mean, did anyone? I see Vague getting back up and fighting, he is the guy who will do anything for his goals, so he and Welling were maybe the two who did put 100% effort and recklessness into every corner.
Vague mentioned me, fine. Well really he had no choice, perhaps he didn't care, he was just asked by a journalist. He thought I was lying, and maybe I did exaggerate the number a little bit for my own gain (not that it worked, evidently). Moli went out to criticize me, and I do see where he was coming from. If anyone fell over in front of me I wouldn't laugh, but I was the one who started the macho hyperbolism discussion so I can't fire back. Maybe after being with Bakari so long some variety in the crashes would tickle his fancy? I'm not sure, he's not a guy who I've came into contact with, I've rode near him before but never talked to, but there you go. Josiah once did trll me a story about one of the Namibians criticizing that he cared about the birth of his kid. Maybe they all have no regard for other life then...
But in what way was I not trying to improve my position? In those first two laps I did by utmost to stick with Cornelis, but I made an error, something that is becoming all too common for me, and was in the second group with Cook. Moli may not know what it is like juggling trophies and having your flight grounded, but I was in a pretty bullish mood and still did what I could to hold off the BluBalls. Even if you really watched and saw what I actually did in the race I tried numerous times to drop Cook, but I doubt Moli could have done much better against the UCI numero uno. In the end I did try my best to get the highest position I can without falling flat on my face or becoming overtired. I did once again get the best of the rest spot, more than can be said for any of my critics. Also, Moli said the fans deserved 100% from the top ten. Does that mean he can slack off and criticize me?
But Goldenberg hit me the hardest. I can almost see how he was trying to be funny, but the Yanks can make a comedy about virtually anything so it doesn't really shock me. But suggesting I'm doping, comparing me to Riis? Sorry (actually, no) my fellow crosser but I'm doing something about that. There is simply no way you can make even the slightest suggestion of a fellow rider doping without any evidence whatsoever! It's blatant libel (still don't know how it differs from slander) and trying to discriminate me! It's shocking really, accusing someone of such actions. As a guy who loves the cross like he does, I've never seen something like it. I'm not at the top right now but even if it's was U-23 riders accusing each other of doping it should be stamped down upon. What was he thinking? You can't just go around saying publicly that you think someone is doping! I guess we will soon see what the UCI does think of it, "if you know what I mean."
Edited by jandal7 on 21-10-2015 05:45
The season is not exactly going as planned for 7 times World Cup winner Dries Cornelis. His season started out dramatically, with an exceptionally long wait for the first victory. 'It's not the start I planned. Even though I wanted to be fit for the World Championship and therefore not peak early on in the season, I have had so many better starts in the past that this feels extremely disappointing.'
However, for the last few weeks, the form has started to come and so did the wins and points. 'Of course, it's very motivating to see I can still win. I may not be the fastest or youngest anymore, but I still got it.' In the World Cup, the battle for the overall win is still very open with one race left. 'I may be called Mr. World Cup, but Francis Vague is possibly the most talented rider in the peloton at the moment. It will be very hard to beat him, but should I lose to him, I know it's not only my fault. Still, I will be very pissed, especially as I have the feeling I have had some awfully bad races which I haven't had in the past.'
The latest Trondheim victory was filled with controversy. The initial winner, Eidfjallson, lost his victory due to his irregular sprinting, and afterwards he blamed Cornelis for a lack of sportmanship. 'I understand Hafthor is very disappointed due to his loss, especially as I have the feeling he was the strongest of the two of us in the end. However, his stupid move cost him the win. When I win, I'll always try to win fair, so it's never nice to hear such ridiculous accusations of a rider I had much higher in esteem before. I've looked back at the footage and it just confirmed my thought of his irregular sprinting. It cost him the win, and it's just his own fault.'
For the last few weeks, the rumours of a retirement have been growing. So far, these hadn't come yet, but especially the bad performances early on made some critics think Dries is getting a year too old. 'I think I proved those critics wrong lately, didn't I? Especially my latter part of the season is my focus, with the World Championship as ultimate goal. So far, retirement has not been a serious option, and I don't expect it to be anytime soon.'
This is it. In these next two races, we'll know who wins this second edition of the Coca-Cola Trophy. Who follows in Vague's footsteps? Luxembourg offers the riders a perfect arena to lay the final groundworks for the big finale in Lviv, Ukraine.
Returning from Scandinavia, some riders will be happy to learn that the freezing temperatures have hit Luxembourg, too. We're not yet at the end of the ice season!
Race Information
Country: Luxembourg
City/Place: Luxembourg (City)
Classification: Coca-Cola Trophy
Starting Time (Elite Men): 15h
Favorites: Elliot Cook, Dries Cornelis, Francis N. Vague, Milan Listerijn, Christian Schiltz.
Record: New
Race History: The Luxembourg Challenge is the last new race of this season. Luxembourg saw its first professional cyclo-cross team disband, after Schiltz and Bernard didn't see eye to eye. But Luxembourg deserves better than that, and so they're here with their very first professional cyclo-cross. And that at the end of a very exciting Coca-Cola Trophy, where home rider Christian Schiltz is still within reach of taking the Trophy home.
Route Information
Technical: 4
Sand: 2
Uphill: 3
Cobblestones: 1
The Luxembourg Challenge is a nice, traditional cyclo-cross parcours, although with an emphasis on rolling terrain. After a short start (less than 80 meters before going into the field) the riders tackle a short but nasty climb, only to find themselves before a very tricky downhill. Once down, they have relative rest, with some tight corners. There isn't much space to use your power so this is for the riders who accelerate corner after corner and use their technical abilities to steer right.
After this, the terrain goes upwards, the longest climb of the day, which is about 100 meters long. With these gradients, it's not a walk in the park and it lasts longer than you might think.
The riders take a few more twists and turns before coming back onto the tarmac, for a 150m straight forward road where a sprint can still decide the winner.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: -1° C
Precipitation: Ice.
Wind: 1 Beaufort
The confirmation that Vague was riding Luxembourg came a few hours later after his interview in Trondheim. When Christian and he were spotted together at the Airport. The sentiment behind this decision seems clear: BKCP-Powerplus wants to defend the Coca-Cola trophy and whilst Vague has a mission of his own, both the ambitions of Christian and Francis need to coexist and and cooperate together. Certainly you can't expect Schiltz to go for classics and Coke trophies and expect him to drop it when Vague needs his help..
Whilst the team issue may arise in coming seasons if they stay together, this is not the one. In his home town race Schiltz needs all the support he can get; from his fans AND from his teammates. Vague is clear on his mission: The BKCP Powerplus duo wants to attempt to put time into its rivals whenever they see fit. And the Luxembourg Challenge is certainly a place where that could well happen.
And whilst the tactic games will be seen soon, a belgian journalist raised another motive. He recently wrote an article that Vague was forced to race the Challenge as punishment for his series of crashes in Trondheim. "He fucked up", said the journalist, "and he needs to learn a lesson for it." Knowing BKCP teammanager, this isn't all too far off. However Schiltz support throughout the season and Vague attempting to pay him back is the more cycling-romantic narrative.
Whatever the reasons are, Vague wants the race to step up but mostly maintain his game with the incoming World Championships and the closing belgian events. His statement ahead of the race is simple as such: "I'm still pretty pissed about my racing in Trondheim, it doesn't just go away when you fail like that. But I'm good and I'm motivated and Sven, Christian and I are ready to strike back here."
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I can't believe how things are going at the moment. After my win in Japan I didn't think things could get any better, but I was certainly wrong.
After that race I headed to Africa for the continental championships, which I was deemed a favourite for. That porved to be I found myself towards the front and I felt great, but unfortunately for me I just couldn't stay with young South African Adrian Van Niek. As a fellow young African I'm sure we'll have many battles in the future, where I hope I can turn the tables. For my first season as a pro though, a 2nd place is great.
I then headed for Torku for perhaps my best race yet. The course suited me - plenty of cobblestones for me to get stuck into. I decided to go for it and stay at the front for as long as I can. As the race began in below freezing conditions I fell behind as a move of 3 went away from the rest. However, I still felt good I found myself with Mazzarelli, in a battle with him for 6th position. I was on for a top 10! Then, I took a turn on the front and when I looked behind Mazzarelli was dropped! I pushed on towards the line and claimed 6th position, the best finish of my short career.
With my confidence so high an 11th place in Sweden seemed almost uniform. I must stay grounded though and not take my recent success for granted and continue to work hard. I've heard reports my facebook page is growing rapidly, but I try not to pay too much attention to these things. All I want to do is to continue racing.
Here we go, it's the Luxembourg Challenge. Christian Schiltz' big target for the season, and part of his main series of the year, the Coca Cola Challenge.
So how has the series gone so far? It's stat attack time.
Performances of Schiltz
Race
Winner
Position
Time
Leader
Overall
Time
Tekapocross
Vague
7
+ 37
Vague
7
+ 37
Seattle
Listerijn
2
+ 4
Vague
5
+ 32
Rio Cross Challenge
Cook
9
+ 46
Cook
2
+ 1'18
Struisbaai Cross
Listerijn
8
+ 49
Cook
4
+ 1'40
Aosta Valley
Mazzarelli
4
+ 21
Cook
3
+ 59
FujiCross
Soucek
4
+ 6
Cook
3
+ 41
Rider Consistency
1
Elliot Cook
06h01'32"
3
4
1
7
8
6
2
Sylvain Lipawsky
+0h00'34"
2
6
4
5
3
3
3
Christian Schiltz
+0h00'41"
7
2
2
8
4
4
4
Milan Listerijn
+0h01'16"
11
1
3
1
6
7
5
Matt Mazzarelli
+0h04'21"
4
8
9
9
1
13
6
Baris Dao
+0h04'40"
6
11
12
3
5
5
7
Michael Bollinger
+0h04'58"
16
7
6
16
12
8
8
Dries Cornelis
+0h05'35"
10
12
14
4
2
2
9
Hafthor Eldfjallsson
+0h05'58"
9
9
8
14
11
10
10
Eddie Goldenberg
+0h06'14"
32
5
10
10
7
11
13
Francis N. Vague
+0h10'19"
1
3
5
2
-
-
21
Gregory Bernard
+0h16'03"
17
-
29
19
23
19
41
Amadou Bakari
+0h24'54"
38
32
44
36
35
35
Standings Graph
The Verdict
It's certainly been a consistent year for Schiltz, as one of 3 riders to always finish in the Top 8, but he has so far been lacking that real decisive race. There's now 4 riders in contention for the trophy and in every race he has been beaten by at least one of them.
At Tekapo Schiltz was still getting used to having a likeable teammate, and suffered from naive tactics after being caught out in a split which Vague had made. Seattle is the closest to a victory Schiltz has been in the series after Listerijn was allowed too much freedom as an unknown quantity, a real shame as Christian was looking great that day.
Mixed feelings in Rio as although it was a move up to 2nd overall, again an early split cost him - and Cook really took advantage. Things did not get much better in Struisbaai. Again caught out, and losing costly time simple because Vague was up front was really unhelpful and unnecessary.
Vague stepped out in Aosta, and it was perhaps no coincidence that we saw a much more aggressive race from Schiltz. A gearing issue took him away from the podium, but crucially there was the first sign of weakness from Cook. Another positive display in Fuji helped this, but there is still plenty of work to be done.
And now ... Luxembourg
So now for the home race, and the big pre-race news is the return of Vague to the series. Schiltz has done some good teamwork for him in recent races, most notably in the recent Trondheim race when Schiltz sat up after helping Vague to recover from an early fall. So will now be the time that the Belgian returns the favour? Indications are certainly positive.
As an added variable, this is the first icy Coca-Cola race of the season. Schiltz has not been particularly at the forefront to date in icy conditions, but results can be deceiving, and the past month has all been about the build up to the home race. The one time he did give a proper hit out this month was the Eurasian Championships, and that delivered a victory!
The UCI released a statement, just hours before the Coca-Cola Trophy race in Luxembourg, stating that the result of Trondheim is official and will not be changed. They stick to their earlier story: "Mr. Eldfjallsson boxed in Mr. Cornelis and this lead to an unfair sprint. Mr. Eldfjallsson was herefore disqualified from the sprint and put to the end of his group." Later, the UCI spokesperson was heard saying, without realizing the microphones were on: "He should be happy he wasn't disqualified completely."
This puts an end to the official complaint but doesn't end the controversy surrounding the result and the UCI. While the images can be interpreted, most readers of The Scope agreed with the ruling. In a very democratic poll, 64% the readers of The Scope voted the punishment was fair and Cornelis was the true victor.
We're about ready for a very hyped up race. Luxembourg offers us a very nice terrain for the riders to shape the Coca-Cola Trophy. After today, the riders will have but one chance left to make something of this Trophy.
Home rider Schiltz is especially keen on this race, having made this one of his big objectives of the season. He was even part of testing while the parcours was being build. So it's safe to say he knows this like the back of his hand.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: -1° C
Precipitation: Ice
Wind: 0 - 1 Beaufort
Start Line: Still no Baris Dao at the start line. And so Listerijn takes his spot on the front row. We haven't heard any news concerning the Dane, but it's said he's back at home, recovering. Let's hope to see him back soon. He would be missed at the World Championships.
The others are here, though. Coca-Cola did their best today and presented many riders in an original fashion, during their test laps. There has also been an amateur race this afternoon, Luxembourg got bronze with Daniel Klein. Silver and Gold were for Belgium, with amateurs Dirk Vandael and Joeri Meiresson. Can Luxembourg do better in the pro league with Schiltz and Bernard?
We heard Bollinger was planning to skip today's race in protest, but he's here nonetheless. Talking to him before the start, he said he didn't feel like getting in trouble with sponsor contracts. Either way, his motivation isn't tower high at the moment.
Lap 1: The start shot has been given! A very short sprint here. Well, that's a surprise, sort of. It's not Eldfjallsson who turns into the field first, but Milan Listerijn. Starting on the front row does him well.
This is a very nasty little climb. The riders have to dismount near the end. During the training laps, we saw a few attempts to ride it to the top, but only Vague managed to do it. In a race, it's something else, though.
This downhill is tricky. The riders take it rather easy.
Many Coca-Cola races have been decided by an early split. Listerijn must be hoping for a scenario like that today, since he's increased the pace. Vague brings Schiltz to the front and drops him at Listerijn's wheel. Cook hasn't missed his start and is nearby.
The ice has frozen most of the sand, so this won't make too much of an impact today.
Lap 2: We'll have 9 laps here in Luxembourg. We still have about 113riders together. These include Cook, Cornelis, Lipawsky, Listerijn, Schiltz...
Mikel Hammarling wants to add another success after his Scandinavian adventure. He attacks! Eldfjallsson will now try to disrupt the chase. Who will pick up the chase anyway?
It's Guido Visconti who takes the reigns in the pack. His team leader, Cornelis, isn't in the running for the trophy, but a victory close to the World Championships is always welcome for the morale.
Cook likes to see this, everything under control. We heard the Brit might get a new team mate next season in the shape of Milan Vermeulen. Fact or fiction, we have no idea.
Lap 3: Visconti manages to keep Hammarling within striking distance. The Swede only has a five second gap. But the increased pace is taking a toll. Mutahi and Bollinger have both dropped out of the chasing group.
And we cut to Bernard, the second Luxembourg rider in this peloton. We see a replay of him going down. He's seen better days.
Back to the front of the race. Oh, and where is Visconti? He's no longer leading the chase. Maybe Cornelis isn't feeling too hot and told him to stop working?
This allows Hammarling to get further away. Six seconds, seven...
Lipawsky sees an opportunity in this and attacks! He wants to get to the front and get away from his competitors.
But Cook doesn't let that happen and attacks, too. Schiltz reacts, as does Vague. Listerijn doesn't want to be left behind. Eldfjallsson follows in his slipstream.
Mazzarelli wants to follow, too, but makes a small steering mistake in the ice and missed the jump.
And the chasers have caught Hammarling! Hammarling looks and sees Eldfjallsson came along. At least they're still with two.
Lap 4: James Carlisle went down. But he's back on his bike.
We have seven leaders at the moment. They are Schiltz and Vague from Team BKCP, Eldfjallsson and Hammarling from Team Odfjell, Listerijn from Santos, Lipawsky from SAP and Cook from Randstad.
The entire top 4 in the Coca-Cola Trophy is here, so Mazzarelli sees his chances of riding podium in this trophy disappear slowly. But being already four minutes down, he would always have needed a miracle. No, these are the four that are fighting for the trophy: Cook, Lipawsky, Schiltz, Listerijn.
Eldfjallsson launches an attack! Listerijn follows! This could be important.
Cook can be a strange fella. He's known for bluffing like a true master. Sometimes with a high risk involved. He let's them go and doesn't concern with leading the chase. Listerijn is over a minute down on him. That's a big gap, but not that big, too.
And so, Francis Vague decides to lead the chasing group, with Schiltz in his wheel. Lipawsky and Cook profit from Vague's work. Hammarling, on the other hand, has trouble keeping up now.
Especially on this climb. He has to give the chasing group a few meters...
Lap 5: Hammarling is going through a tough time and sees the chasing group ride away. So Odfjell is now stuck with Eldfjallsson's attack. If it doesn't pay-out, it'll be too bad for them here. Unless Hammarling can come back from this.
But the pace doesn't drop. The two leaders give it their everything. Listerijn for the trophy, Eldfjallsson for the victory of the day.
Vague slowly closes the gap, though.
And with a few nice corners, they're caught! Milan Listerijn doesn't bow down and accelerates from the front. Vague is paying for his little sprint to catch the leaders. So Schiltz immediately reacts to Listerijn, using his slipstream to go with him. Cook and Lipawsky follow. The four leave Vague and Eldfjallsson behind.
Meanwhile, Markson picked up Hammarling and they try to organize a chase of their own, now. Cornelis is behind them, riding with team mate Visconti. It's not Cornelis' day.
Well, this Coca-Cola Trophy has not been an accident. Our four leaders are the top 4 of the classification. We haven't seen Schiltz waste a single pedal stroke so far. He moves swiftly through these corners, he knows the terrain so well.
It seems the four have agreed on a temporary truce. Only Schiltz doesn't take turns, because Vague is chasing them. Cook, Listerijn and Lipawsky all take turns, but it's not 100%, they're keeping something in reserve for later.
Lap 7: This is sad for Luxembourg's first race, but we have a few spectators fighting. Luckily the security is quick to react. Drunken spectators, probably.
And Cook just looks so relaxed. He's got everything under control. His total calm is making Listerijn nervous. Lipawsky wants to take back time and now launches an attack!
But Cook doesn't let him go. Listerijn and Schiltz are biding their time, so it seems.
Lap 8: Two laps left, with four leaders. Vague and Eldfjallsson are still losing some time. And now the World Champion decides to go all in! What an attack on this small climb, amazing. He only had to dismount for the final two meters and has a small gap. He wants to widen it!
With a sense of risk, he descends like a madman. He's got a gap!
Lipawsky's down! He's totally missed this last corner of the downhill and is on the ground! Listerijn, Cook and Schiltz pass him. The World Champion is on the ground.
Vague and Eldfjallsson pass him, too. Only now he's getting up. It was a hard crash. But he's got to ride on and limit the time loss!
And here comes Christian Schiltz! We were expecting him to do something like this, but than in the last lap rather than two laps from the finish! He has been saving for the entire race, putting it all in this attack!
Cook can't keep up with Schiltz in these tight corners. Listerijn is leaving it up to Cook to chase.
Lap 9: And Schiltz has a 12 second lead. Game, set, match? It was an impressive attack, he had enough with just one push and then use the twisty terrain to build up a lead.
And now Cook looks at Listerijn. The Kiwi hesitates, but then relays. He can't give Schiltz too much time. He needs to gain back time on him to get that podium in the trophy.
In the background, Lachy Bauer just left Welling and Carlisle behind.
Schiltz doesn't hesitate a second and keeps the pace incredibly high. If he makes no mistake, he's got this. No way they can gap 10 seconds when he rides like this.
But Schiltz stays without faults and here he comes. The final straight road. He keeps riding for every second until the finish line. His arms raised high. Victory. He has worked months up to this race, timed his attack perfectly and executed his plan without any flaw. Kudos to him.
Cook outsprints Listerijn for place 2. They lose 11 seconds. For Cook, this is good news concerning the Cola Trophy.
Vague is fourth, Eldfjallsson fifth.
Markson outsprints Hammarling for place 6. And Lipawsky rolls in 29 seconds behind winner Schiltz. That means he drops from 2nd to 3rd in the trophy.
Cornelis and Visconti complete the top 10, crossing the finish line together.
With only 30 seconds between Cook and Schiltz, this Coca-Cola Trophy isn't over yet. See you next Saturday in Lviv for the conclusion of this exciting competition.
With only one weekend between now and the World Championships, riders start living towards the greatest race of the season already. Next week, they'll be able to recon big parts of the course. Two days before the actual race, the full profile will be available for several hours a day for training.
And riders also start checking the weather predictions daily. It's still a bit less than two weeks away, so much can still change, but it's nice to be prepared.
Current Weather Prediction - Siena
Temperature: 4° C
Precipitation: Dry
Wind: 2 - 3 Beaufort
Another job well done as a week's work lies behind Visconti. The young Belgian has well made a name for himself this year, and in no place more than in the Scandivanian races. Here he came to the forefront of the peloton and showed his skill, and that the race in Luxembourg he refined his craft and came a strong 10th after working for team leader Cornelis mid-way the race.
"Right now everything feels easy. If it wasn't for the other riders, I'd say I'm flying. But they are still flying faster." For the young one it's obviously a sign he has to train harder and eventually ride/fly faster. For Visconti the past races were once more a challenge though, but racing close to the top is a fitting reward and motivation in the same. "It's great to start in the third line now. I worked hard to get here and I don't wnat to give any place. Instead I want to climb the ladder further. The better it works for you the more fun it is. In this way, it's a real upward spiral that you want to take care of as long as you can."
At the Luxembourg Challenge, Visconti showed what kind of helpful teammate he could be to Cornelis. Indeed Viscnti has acknowledged his domestique framework but his father is well reaching for his stars, when he says that "Lotto-Fidea won't e able to keep him if they continue to underpay him".
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Lviv will be the conclusion of a super exciting Coca-Cola Trophy. Elliot Cook leads the table but with Schiltz and Lipawsky both within a minute, anything could still happen. In Lviv, Vague took an impressive victory last season. But will he get his chance tomorrow, or will BKCP go all in for Schiltz and the trophy?
Very important will be the weather. Current predictions point towards snow and freezing temperatures, meaning the ice season continues! Guys like Mazzarelli must be getting sick of it, and will be hoping to get at least some decent riding before the Worlds next week!
Race Information
Country: Ukraine
City/Place: Lviv
Classification: Coca-Cola Trophy
Starting Time (Elite Men): 15h
Favorites: Francis N. Vague, Elliot Cook, Dries Cornelis, Matt Mazzarelli, Mikel Hammarling, Christian Schiltz.
Record: 1x Francis Vague (2015)
Race History: Lviv proved to be a great race last season, running for its first edition. The country's political problems pose no threat to the race, or so they say. However, the military will be called upon for extra protection. A second edition will conclude the Coca-Cola Trophy.
Route Information
Technical: 2
Sand: 0
Uphill: 3
Cobblestones: 1
The race takes place in the industrial zone of the city, but that doesn't mean we're in for a bland profile. On the contrary, the route has been chosen well, with dirt and mud all along the trial. A race for powerful riders.
There are plenty of steep ramps and bridges, offering the power-climbers a way to the top step. The amount of climbing has been toned down this year, allowing more riders to go their shot. The weather predicts ice, so bike handling might turn out to be more decisive than expected.
Expected Weather Conditions
Temperature: -1° C
Precipitation: Snow, Light.
Wind: 1 Beaufort
An enthusiastic, at times too much so, performance from the young gun Milan Listerijn shows good signs for the upcoming end of season. He finally got his podium but not how he had desired it. He animated the race all day but found himself with not enough left to pull off the victory or, indeed, claw back time on multiple rivals. In a statement to an interviewer he declared he was "happy with the performance, definitely" but knew he "has a long way to go in my racing tactics if I want another win soon. I felt good today but I don't have the quick recuperation time that the top riders do, to make attacks all day and be fresh as a daisy when your rivals respond... 24 seconds is a lot to gain on the World Champion but I'll give it everything I've got."
His start today, one we haven't seen, beating even Eldfjasson to the first bend? "It surprised me, you saw from the off my tactics, light up the race and try and take time. I offer my support to Dao and hope he is there for Siena but his absence gave me a chance to be on the front row, I took it with all my possible limbs and yeah, it's something I hope to continue to work on so I can make breaks more often."
In further news perhaps because Listerijn has previously stated that he wants to focus on racing until after the World Champs, his agent Jamal "Hayden" Kuriba has been trying hard to push his young charge a new contract for next year, we are told. He says he is close to the deal Listerijn wants.
Looking ahead to Lviv the youngster gives us that dry smile and simply says: "I feel stronger mentally if not physically every race. I've learned what I can from Luxembourg and Hagfors and I feel the form flowing, I just need to harness it. I was lucky, perhaps, to take that much time on Lipawsky, I must be better if I want a step of the podium."
I made my way across the line, the bike was worse for wear then me, but my legs hurt when I ran, so I had to deal with it as I tripped to limit my loses, I made my way to medical tent, who looked me over, I had the luck to fall the right way and nothing's broken, some serious grazes though and a lot of pain, despite that, I should be lining up in Lviv.
The blow to my morale is probably more harmful than the physical one, that moment your bike goes out of control is terrifying at high speed, I'll never get used to it and that look Schiltz shot me, when I first tried to stand up hurt me, after that a fan (of Schiltz) tried to 'help me' by keeping me down.
I can't let this get me down though, in Lviv I'll have one tactic, take back 52 seconds, I'll try to get away at alll costs and maybe I can do it. It's my best chance at a classification. Just being in third could be a detriment to my chances, I heard that Milan will be attacking me with the podium in mind, so that's not good for me.
First weather forecasts for the worlds are out well, I'm feeling pretty good at the moment (I've been on some courses that haven't really suited me especially with ice and still been up there) the weather forecasts are alright, I was hoping for rain but at least in looks like no ice. I'm really ready for the world's though, I like this rainbow jersey. Also I hear that Ferdi Kloet is preparing specifically for the worlds, we share an agent and he could have a good shot if it comes to a sprint, but he still has to qualify, so he'll need a good race tomorrow, also at the worlds I have to say that Vague looks good, still, it's early days and we'll see closer to the race.
Vague has played well the team card in Luxembourg with his teammate Schiltz receiving the honours of the win. Having spent some effort at the front, protecing Schiltz and reeling back in the attackers, helped his teammate seal the deal in his own home race and take time on Cook. Just how important was his role? Looking at the fashion Schiltz won the race, the Luxembourgian could have managed fine on his own. In his own race.
Vague was happy with the notion of the race, although he also stated that he considers it to be an extremely tough challenge to snap back 30 seconds on Cook. In Lviv nonetheless it's the place where it has to happen. Even with Vague in prime condition back then and Cook facing technical difficulties, 37 seconds was the best he could manage on some icey ground. BKCP teammanager realized well the task that lies ahead of Schiltz in this terrain. After the Luxembourg Challenge, Vague has openly thought about attending Lviv too, but eventually decided against it, the reason is fairly reduced to two words: Ostrava Circuit.
The czech race is well known to be one of the toughest on the calendar and a true landmark side of victory for many of the sport's finest crossers, including Gasthuys. If a lesser race was up next after Lviv, Vague might have actually visited Ukraine in hopes of Schiltz' immediate possible triumph, but the cards are clear for Vague in his goal of winning the Superprestige.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
After the dreadful race in Finland we stayed in the North first racing in Sweden and then Norway.
Hagfors went pretty well considering the ice and all. Let's just say that the hills and the lack of cobbles made the ice a bit easier to manage. With a bit more racing up North I think I could actually get good at this. As long as they keep the cobbles away obviously...
Speaking of which: Norway has cobbles. Still the run up here have been good for me and I once again managed to stay on my bike and even managed to put in a bit of an offense towards the end of the 5th lap.
After that I went to Luxembourg. You would think the higher temperatures would be good for me but as usual in the Coca-Cola Trophy races things just didn't work out for me. I'm actually thinking about just skipping that race series in general next year.
Right now I'm in Lviv waiting to start the final CCT-race of the year, which will be nice. I hope to do better than in the other races, but expecially I want to test my legs once more before teh World Championships where I hope to get to represent my country. Even though I will have to do it on a foreign team as Euskadi still are under occupation.
Here in Ukraine, we'll see the Coca-Cola come to its conclusion. The first edition was won by Francis Vague, absent today. Cook lays in position to win the second edition of this new trophy, but then he has to keep off Schiltz, Lipawsky and Listerijn today.
The wind changed drastically this morning, changing the temperatures. It's above freezing and that's a deal breaker for some, a life saver for others. The riders will have to fight for victory in dry conditions. No ice, no snow.
Weather Conditions
Temperature: 3° C
Precipitation: Clear
Wind: 1 Beaufort
Start Line: Still no Baris Dao. With this being the last weekend before the World Championships, this probably means we'll have to do without him for the Worlds. Very unfortunate since he definitely would've been an underdog for the rainbow stripes.
No Vague, either. He did his best for Schiltz last race and leaves Schiltz with Welling for this last race. Vague is close to sealing the Superprestige and he wants to appear in Ostrava with fresh legs. Ostrava remains one of the calendar's most prestigious dates.
The Coca-Cola Trophy ends within 60 minutes. Can someone threaten Elliot Cook from achieving his goal? And will Cook use this opportunity to put more UCI points between him and Vague? With the end nearing, both riders will want to end up as the UCI #1, despite what they might say.
Lap 1: And here we go, for the final time this season in the Coca-Cola Trophy! Bad luck for Cornelis as he's pulled his foot out of the pedal. He'll have to chase for the first few laps to catch up.
It's Lipawsky who's turning into the field first. It's dry now but it has been raining earlier today, so the ground is quite muddy.
Lipawsky turns on the heat. It looks like he's going all in. A final attempt to take the trophy or die trying. There are some who realize the danger and try to keep up with the World Champion, who is riding his last weekend in this beautiful jersey.
Elliot Cook now comes to the front. He rides right next to Lipawsky. This is mental warfare. "Where are you going, Sylvain?" You can see it in his eyes. And so Lipawsky decides to take it a bit more easy and wait his turn.
Guido Visconti survived the fast start quite well, coming from the 3rd row now. He sees this drop in pace as a chance to attack! The favorites let him go, knowing too well that he probably won't keep up this effort until the end of the race.
Schiltz is using the same tactic as in Luxembourg. Keep a low profile. He's hanging a bit further behind. Cook is watching Lipawsky and Listerijn closely. We won't let any of them ride away today.
Lap 2: And here comes Matt Mazzarelli, now in fourth position. With the long ice season, it's been a while since we've seen him. It looks like he's using Lviv as a good prep race for the Worlds, where he'll face a profile where he can definitely go his chance. He'll also have the advantage of having the home crowd.
Guido Visconti apparently has a 28 second gap already. What a timing, behind them they're still playing mind games. This allows the Italian Belgian to ride away further. The camera now shows his father, who's here. Raphael Visconti. One of the great cyclo-crossers of the 80s, a living legend of the sport.
The gap is already over 30 seconds. What are they waiting for? The slow pace allows Cornelis to move up places quicker.
THERE GOES COOK! The Brit throws all his cards on the table and attacks himself! He doesn't just want to defend his lead, he wants to show who's the boss in this trophy! What a move!
Matt Mazzarelli uses this steep bridge to follow Cook. Lipawsky and Schiltz are forced to chase, lacking the power to follow the attack! What an outburst of power that was.
Lap 3: Two laps of the eight completed. Matt Mazzarelli has found Cook but the Brit doesn't seem to notice. He just keeps riding, his head buried deep down. Into his typical position when he's on fire. There's no stopping this man when he's come to full speed. Mazzarelli will hope to hang on.
Lipawsky and Schiltz now work together to chase. Listerijn has fallen behind, and hopes to get some help from Eldfjallsson and Hammarling to get back to the front.
Guido Visconti now realizes that Cook is coming, he has seen him a few turns behind him. What will he do? Wait or keep riding? It looks like he keeps going.
And just before we turn back onto the main road, Cook and Mazzarelli have caught up with Visconti. We have three leaders.
It's also good to see Josiah Bennett back in this peloton. We thought his season was over but he's back, though looking at it he's not in top shape, not at all. Will take a while to get back into it.
A second flat tire for Fred Markson. It's not his day!
And Elliot Cook is now really putting the hammer down. Visconti has to let him and Mazzarelli go. It wasn't even an acceleration, just taking one of the wooden bridges with so much force.
Even Mazzarelli is clearly suffering. And yet still Cook doesn't even bother to look behind him. He has completely ignored Mazzarelli so far. Doesn't ask to relay, nothing. He must have super legs!
Meanwhile we hear Markson has broken his front break. Nothing can go right for him today.
Lap 5: Cornelis left his group behind and goes looking for Etxeberdea. Is there still time to get back to the front of the race? Four years ago, we would've said yes. But Cornelis is getting older, and the competition has grown fiercer. Try catching this man.
And talking about him, Cook has now left Mazzarelli behind! On a particular steep ramp, he just left the Italian in his proverbial dust.
The Italian tries to catch back up, but Cook is in the advantage in this mud. Meanwhile, Visconti seems to have recovered from his decline and has found his second breath. Catching back up with Cook will be impossible, but he will do all he can to keep off Lipawsky and Schiltz and end this race on the podium, that would be his first with the pros. Well, besides the last race in the NES Trophy.
Lap 6: Bar accidents, it's bye bye victory. Elliot Cook decided to make this last Coca-Cola race a show for the crowd. Make a point that he deserves the win and that he had the situation under control the entire time. Still, it'd be wise to keep some energy for tomorrow's important Superprestige race in Ostrava. But keeping back isn't Cook's style.
Mazzarelli now feels Visconti's breath, so to speak. The Italian is trying to recover from the mental blow and wants to keep off the half-Italian half-Belgian.
Meanwhile, both also want to keep off the World Champion and Schiltz, who continue to work together well and limit their time loss. Soon they'll realize the trophy's gone anyway and ride against each other for the 2nd place. But when will that come?
Lap 7: Markson abandons. After a slight crash, he's had enough bad luck for one day and exits the race.
And we cut back to Cook. The man of the day. Two laps left, but we can't see anyone catching up with him. When he has good legs, he can do pretty much anything he wants. I think he also wants to say to everyone here: watch out for me. Next week, I'll be there.
We don't really know why but Bakari is giving high-fives at the start line.
And it starts to rain lightly now. It won't impact the race much anymore, though. The bird has flown.
What a race by young Guido Visconti, though. He is still riding well, this late in the cross. If he can hold this position it'll be an amazing result for him!
Schiltz now realizes the trophy is gone. He stops riding and forces Lipawsky to ride. But the World Champion wants Schiltz' second place and attacks him! But Schiltz can defend now and does so. This helps Mazzarelli and Visconti to stay away.
Lap 8: And we're in the final lap. Mazzarelli doesn't like this rain and is now 30 seconds behind Cook.
Cook has now started his honorary lap. He toned it down a bit, realizing he needs to ride a big cross tomorrow.
Max Power is doing quite well today, but he'll just miss out on a top 10, so it would seem. Meanwhile, Cornelis has not gotten further than Etxeberdea. His chase ended and now he's riding to preserve, rather than to attack and waste or use too much energy.
Lipawsky now realizes he can't shake Schiltz. In defeat, he lets Schiltz pass him and dictate the pace. I guess this means Cook will win the trophy, Schiltz will come second and Lipawsky take the third step on the podium. Listerijn most probably fourth and Mazzarelli will keep his fifth place.
Listerijn is still with Hammarling and Eldfjallsson, but that's three quarters of a minute behind.
Cook is taking the time to celebrate. On the last flat road, he raises his arms long before the finish. He will lose many seconds this way, but the trophy is his anyway, so it matters little.
The Brit crosses the finish line. Victory. And a top favorite for next week, for sure.
Mazzarelli is second. And a strong Visconti managed to keep his third position after an early break.
Not ten seconds later, Lipawsky beats Schiltz in the sprint. They came close, but not close enough.
And here come Eldfjallsson, Listerijn and Hammarling, at 42 seconds.
Cornelis and Etxeberdea complete the top 10. What a race it's been, what a trophy we've seen.
This concludes the Coca-Cola Trophy. Thanks for being here these eight races. We'll see you tomorrow for the Ostrava Circuit, the last test before the World Championships and one of the most prestigious events on the calendar.
In the last few weeks I stumbled upon that fanclubs and stuff overview made by The Scope. Wait since when do I have a FB account...? And since when do I write tons of bs on it...? Like this shit, wtf man:
I don't get how this son of a b*ch got so many likes, I am really hoping that the fellow pro-crossers didn't take this shit as real. Because the rest of the account seems to be 'genuine'. I would like to clear up the whole thing: this is NOT my Facebook account. Indeed, I don't have one. I'm glad I discovered about this before it would be too late, as I'm not really into that social media stuff, mainly for the trolls you can find there.
That said, we're slowly leaving behind us the time of the year I like the least and surprise, February kicks off and Matt is back on the podium B-)
I think that this is the first time I've been out of the top 10 so consistently, but this year was colder than the last you know. 3°C feels like fucking July man, and 2nd place feels like a win. Not like I could have stood a chance against that Cook eh, but well. He had that kind of shape every cyclo-crosser dreams, plus no Vague in sight meant that he had easier life as well.
I don't understand that guy btw, does he prefer to chill out instead of showing off the balls at Coca-Cola? Is he still shaken about those 3 falls in the same race hehe. He's a great sportsman and all but boy sometimes I just don't get him. It's a big loss for a "small" sport like Cyclo-Cross not to have him at half of the races. That said, don't take it too personally Franny.
Soo next up is Ostrava, and at the moment I'm writing I'm on a plane heading towards there. Love that race. They call it "the Cyclocross", and there's more than a reason for that. Last year good ole Dries proved himself the most complete cyclocrosser, while Vague and Cook showed they too have some weaknesses. Not to talk about me lol. I'm looking at improving last year's 13th to a top 5, as I'm not that shabby on cobbles believe me. Plus there's still some climbing to do and not a single meter without twists and turns. Hopefully I won't come across Franny trying to get back on his bike if he decides to take part even mwhahahaah.
Goldie
Hammer Time
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Luxembourg Challenge - Preview
Tekapocross
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Rio Cross Challenge
Cook
Struisbaai Cross
Aosta Valley
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Lviv - Preview
Trondheim CX
