So i've done my Road Racing experiment. A selection of races in and around Scandinavia and Northern Europe. The toughest races were definately those with significant climbing which i knew wasn't a skill of mine. Crits went the best i'd say but they are what i'm used to and i was pretty good at them before venturing fully into CycloCross.
It was a good showing. A handful of wins in the domestic Scandinavian races and some good placings in bigger low level UCI events. The outcome being that i have been offered not one but two contracts! The official announcement won't be made until October, probably just ahead of the Oceanic races begin. But what it does mean is this will be my final full season of CX.
The contracts give me better income, significantly, and wider opportunities for other commercial deals. It is a money driven decision but that's life. Cycling can't support me forever and i have a wife to think about and kids to plan for. Odjfell can't justify giving me that sort of wage whereas these road teams can. So even if i don't make a real name for myself on the road i've got that security in place.
That said i have got this season and i will go out strong. I'll start off slowly so i won't be too competitive in Oceania or America. Hopefully i'll start finding form as we get back to Europe. Targets are the Christmas Classic, Hagfors, Trondheim, Kwaremont, Arenberg and of course Torku. So the latter cold races in Scandinavia and the late cobbled races. The Worlds in Chicaho could very well be a bit icy as well, but we'll see what happens nearer the time.
I plan to enjoy my season and go out with a smile and no regrets.
So some more details on my upcoming season. Yes i won't be racing the full pro calendar. I'm still too new to the sport and it is too much for me to handle. So Blue Bell are letting me ride a reduced calendar and race back in the USA. So what races will i be at? Which ones will i miss? What will my goals be?
I will be racing in October and November. That is the opening Duinencross through to Port Elisabeth, without Perth. Which means i will be at the Melbourne Beach Race, all three races in the USA and the Rio Cross Challenge. All big races for me and i'm hoping i can challenge for a win somewhere in that time.
Then i will not be attending from Struisbaai to Kitakyushu. Popping back on the scene for the Continental Championships. Then skipping Herne Hill to Ostrava. Popping back, hopefully, for the World Championships and racing all the races after the Worlds until the end of the season.
I've got my calendar sorted for the gap as well. In the USA i've got 9 events lined up, compared to 19 on the pro calendar. I'll be doing a race in Iowa, one in Tennessee, two in Dallas, two in Arizona, two in Waco and one in North Carolina. It's much less demanding and should suit me a lot better and really benefit my development as a rider.
Hopefully that clears some things up. I will be raring to go for the season with a newly revitalised passion. Bring it on i say!
Cyclocross isn't very popular in Germany, but the strong expansion of the sport doesn't stop in Germany. At least Daniel thinks this after he received 3 inquirys for interviews before the season starts. Even if two of them are local papers from his hometown, it's a big improvement from earlier on, when he just got interviewed by belgian newspapers and some local papers from bavaria around the Ansbach Cross. So here is one of the interviews from Daniel about the season start:
I stood on the podium, my smile looked a bit like in pain, but i was happy about my result. I won the silver medal at the U-23-World championships! I really needed some time after the race to realize it. I didn't expect that after i had rode just a few crosses last winter, because it was my last school year and i had some exams to pass. The lack of crosses also led to an isolation of me, in social ways, with the others. Some guys congratulated me politely, but other ones, like van Niek, just said i stole them a medal! Although i knew they were wrong i was embarassed and ashamed, because it is my goal to ride as active as possible, and i went to my hotel directly after the podium ceremony. I was in the hotel the whole weekend, alone, because my adoptive family, which is in fact the family of my best friend by the way, didn't had the money to travel with me to Siena. But it was a event from which i learned. I trained hard the whole summer, to impress them and shut them up. And to attack whenever i can.
There's a new nickname for Milan Listerijn around the place in Belgium: The Jack. It suits him in more ways than one, his jack-of-all-trades, all-around nature for one, and, of course, the elephant in the room. Cornelis' legacy, the future of Lotto (with Visconti) and for now, he's not quite there. Not quite Cornelis. Vague is still the unstoppable wave, the oncoming storm. Has anyone in the pack this season put a stop to one of his big goals the last year and a bit? No, exactly. Cook, Mazzarelli, both up there. Lipawsky, ready to make a comeback? Maybe. There's a certain power vacuum, we can't name any real top riders apart fro, Vague, and also the Brit and the Italian, then the subtop, really. Specialists stand out, one-day masters Schiltz and Gormley. Ice maidens Eldfjasson and Hammarling. Sandy Bollinger. Cobbles Mutahi. Then the all-rounders who are almost there. Goldenberg. Lipawsky. Listerijn. Who will step up to fill the gap, to maybe take a trophy, maybe take a UCI podium?
The Jack, as it is, has just returned from New Zealand to Belgium for the first time since April. He's been racing a bit down under on the amateur scene where he grew, and now he's back in the homeland to ride bike with his Lotto team, and, as the team has decreed, talk bike. But when he settles down into his seat and with a shy smile it's as if he's never been gone. The PR man introduces himself and Listerijn, both unnecessary for their respective reasons. He may look like his little brother but Louis wouldn't be caught dead in a Lotto cap, and vice versa.
So, Milan. You are back for another round, how are you going to fare?
Chuck us a time machine? In all seriousness I'm going to try step up again, if I can match my win count with a reputation and without NES it would be pleasing. If I can do even better than I did in the mid to late season last time and maybe top 5 UCI rankings, that would be ambitious. If I can podium a trophy? That's where I want to be.
Speaking of trophies, returning star Brüggeman rated you as his potential winner for the World Cup. Thoughts?
Wow, really? It's obviously nice to receive such praise but, it's not something I'll let into my head. He's got experience and knowledge but I don't think I'm there yet and especially not for the World Cup. I didn't race it all last year but I don't think it's my trophy, not yet at least.
Then where do you hope to shine?
Coke or Superprestige trophies I'd like to aim high, I'll assess the situation after a few manches each. Probably I'd like to ride as many races as possible but I may skip some World Cup races for those two, especially Superprestige requires lasting recovery between races as there are so many, and also great precision in peaking, etc. Also Whakapapa Challenge, snowy, in NZ, I want it. I want to win my first [license-wise] home race, ice race and SP race, all in one. Vague and maybe Eldfjasson are maybe favorites but I'm aiming high there.
Worlds in Chicago. Thoughts?
Well, yeah, um, haha I guess. Nah it's deserved after how they have shot up and the success of the Murican Week, and the organizers sound like they have got some good ideas. [Cycling US] proved what they could do in [2015 in] Richmond, and a golf course, well that's novelty. The rule change again is nice I guess, I think a balance could be struck but this way is better if they can't have a compromise. I've heard ice is likely, maybe I could aim for it as one of my main goals. Hopefully we can bring all four [Listerijn, Bauer, Payne and Ledoux] of us but I guess that's down to our success this season.
Last year you made some rivalries, friendly and not so much. Thoughts?
Well, here it is, I've been meaning to summon up the courage to do this because I couldn't before. I'm willing to forgive and forget in regards to Goldie. We both said stupid things to or about each other, me mostly. From when I did know him before elites he seems a nice guy, and a friendly rivalry or at least regular rivalry is always nicer than a heated one where we are always at each other's throats not just about racing. But yeah, me and the Yanks is always fun to compete, sometimes I win, more often than not last year I don't. Maybe it will change, I hope it will [laughs]. What others do you mean?
Well many talk about rivalries between you and Vague and you and Visconti...
Vague? I'm not sure I'm at his level to be a rival yet [laughs]. But seriously I have nothing but respect and admiration for him, and it would be an honor to one day be his rival. I guess it's required now I'm wearing this cap though, eh? Guido, he's quickly became a friend of mine and a valuable one on but mostly off the bike. For team leadership, maybe, but I'm happy to work with not against him, I think we can figure out who leads where, along with Alinejad who has been working very hard to get back up to his previous level. He three of us lack a captain or much experience, yet, but we are very close and understand each other and I believe we can work together better than many are saying.
But surely your goals will interlock?
As joint leaders, sometimes of course. But you see Schiltz and Vague. They respect each other and work for each other despite sometimes both wanting the win. If they can't, why not us? Actually, I can't remember ever really competing at the very top in the same race as Guido. But of course yes we will sometimes be competing for leadership in certain races and they will probably be resolved by friendly agreement to do with form and other such things. But as of now that's all I can say, we are both, I know waiting for full confirmation of the calendar and any major course changes or rule changes before deciding goals, probably as a team, in the same room at the same time. Maybe he wants World Cup and I want Superprestige good overalls, we can work with that very well.
On a lighter topic, before Duinencross the wall climb and bar jumping contest is on in Oostende? What are you targeting?
Maybe good result in both but no podiums or wins but I'll have a crack. Soucek will probably out-jump everyone expect maybe Vague, it's not my strongest suit but I'd like to think I'm not terrible at it either. Wall climb, that's Cook's hing, pure power. I'm more explosive though I have worked on my engine, so not somewhere I can hope to win. But I think it's a great idea and should be a good laugh.
Your brother Louis and friend Rosanski also move up to the elites this year, what do you think?
Yeah it's great to see my little brother stepping up, we're basically twins though so it will be intense challenge. Obviously we have to be rivals to an extent with him being at BKCP but at the end of the day, we're brothers and for me that transcends almost any boundary I can possibly imagine, especially in the cross. Paul, it's great to see him up, unfortunately Lotto couldn't come to terms with him but it's great to be in the same pack again and on my word, you can expect big things from him.
So what are your predictions for this season?
Well at the start it's a mad-der rush than usual, everyone trying to prove they can be one of the next top riders with Dries gone. Some, fail, but riders like Schiltz, Bollinger, Gormely, prevail early on. Then, up, let's say it quite sure down until America or Africa, where the young guns break through. I really rate a guy like Huser or that guy from the mountain, um, don't tell me; Liechenstein? No? San Marino! I expect them to be even better than we were last year. Also by now we are seeing if Dubois, that hyped Red Bull guy, or Brüggeman still have it, or have it at all. Vague and Schiltz start clearing out but Goldemberg, Cook, Lipawsky, hopefully me, are hot on their heels and sometimes form alliances to beat them.
Then after that as we go to Asia and Scandinavia and more, the second half is a more accurate representation of the season. Like for me last time, consistently good but ran out of steam.
For trophies and World Champs, Vague I expect to take one of SP or World Cup, if not two. One surprise, but already proven guy, out of Coke and World Cup, think Schiltz, Goldenberg, Dao, Lipawsky, me [laughs]. But I think Schiltz will take Coke very seriously, he's motivated there and has track record speaks for itself in those kind of races. NES, will be exciting and I'm biased to say it's awesome but it is, I'm expecting the Germans to scoop out two from three races and two of the overall podium spots, if they can co-operate, that is.
Welcome to the summary of the official presentation of the cyclo-cross 2016 - 2017 season calendar.
Note that the UCI Classification is important for a team's sponsoring, as well as a rider's wage, start money and his start position in the race. In most races in the calendar, the riders start with 10 riders on each line. Their current UCI Ranking decides where they'll start.
Coming from 8 classics just two seasons ago, we are now down to 5. Great Hertford Classic has been removed from the calendar and so we are down to only five classics. Less classics only means a win in either one of them only gets more exclusive and more prestigious. Not too many chances around to be a winner of each one of these great races.
So we are left with 5 classics: Hobart Sunny Classic, Arenberg Classic, Christmas Classic, Duinencross, Dunkirk Classic.
The World Cup features races from all around the world. It's a very interesting trophy in terms of prize money, as well as the classification where the most UCI Points can be earned. Dries Cornelis won his last World Cup in his last season, taking away Vague's shot at cyclo-cross' holy trinity. But the young lad returns with a burning desire. Cornelis has left to sport and so the fight for the World Cup will be more open than ever!
There are 10 races, one more than last year. Cali is a new cross, hosted in Colombia. The race gives November an increased importance, as 4 of the 10 races will be held in the second month of the season. So an early season form is a must for any serious World Cup contender.
Favorites for 2016 - 2017: Francis N. Vague, Elliot Cook, Sylvain Lipawsky, Matt Mazzarelli, Hafthor Eldfjallsson.
The Superprestige is still seen as the most prestigious trophy on the calendar. It doesn't earn you the most UCI Points, neither does it offer you the biggest purse. But the Superprestige speaks for itself. Winning this Trophy is one of the highest things you can achieve in this sport. Ask Francis Vague, who won it last year. A title that can make your career.
Whakapapa is new, and is the second race in the trophy. Hosted in New-Zealand, in increasingly important country for the sport, but features the high slopes, where snow is a possibility. Alpe d'Huez was a big success and stays on the calendar.
But that's not all. Herne Hill returns to the calendar, giving Great Britain back one of the most historic races. We're happy to see it back, especially in the Superprestige!
The points/race for the classification are as follows:
Winner: 15 points.
2nd: 14 points
3rd: 13 points
4th: 12 points
5th: 11 points
6th: 10 points
7th: 9 points
8th: 8 points
9th: 7 points
10th: 6 points
11th: 5 points
12th: 4 points
13th: 3 points
14th: 2 points
15th: 1 point
Favorites for 2016 - 2017: Francis N. Vague, Elliot Cook, Sylvain Lipawsky.
Coca-Cola returns, stronger than ever. They seem set on their current programme and so we have no changes. Just more of the same fun. Their two first editions have been won by Vague and Cook, so it can't get any better than that for them.
Favorites for 2016 - 2017: Elliot Cook, Christian Schiltz, Milan Listerijn.
NES returns. Nothing much changes. Still three races, the same locations. 20 entries, but the UCI decides on who will ride it. They want more fight and less domination. A trophy for neopro's, mostly.
The three races will be Perth, Johannesburg, Kitakyushu.
Additionally, the National Event Series will be raced, not in the sponsor brands, but in national teams.
This year's Continental Championships are not that different from last year. Only the routes have changed, of course. Riders from all around the world will fight for either one of these jerseys:
Left to right: Africa, America, Eurasia, Oceania
Last year, we had some great races with as winners: Christian Schiltz, Lachy Bauer, Fred Markson and Adrian Van Niek.
See the race profiles below.
The World Championships go to the other side. The United States will host this year's World Championships in Chicago. The exact location is Montrose Beach, where the riders get a nice mix of sand, technicality and perhaps even snow. Not much climbing to be done, so Vague will not have it easy to defend his jersey, but we know he'll try everything he can to do so.
See the race profile below.
Races
Full Calendar
Calendar analysis:
The UCI has created a climbing-heavy sport but they're working on it. Less climbing this year and the new crosses reflect this. Cali is flat, Herne Hill as good as. The World Championships will not be decided uphill. It looks like the more all-round riders will get a better chance this season.
Overall, we think it's a nice balanced calendar. But it's the riders who make the race. So let's take a look at who we have in the peloton this season!
2016 - 2017 Peloton
The peloton counts 63 riders, which is 3 more than last season. What we notice is that the traditional countries are getting back in the saddle. New (and old) talents from Belgium, Germany and France join the ranks of the pros.
Below are the sixteen official teams for the 2016 - 2017 season of cyclo-cross.
#1: Team Lotto-Fidea
The team that made Cornelis' career, or was it the other way around? Either way, they go on their separate ways, now. With Cornelis retired, Lotto used their budget to get some new talents in their squad. Listerijn is the biggest name. Visconti has been offered a better contract and hopes to have his breakthrough victory this season.
Riders: Milan Listerijn, Naveed Alinejad, Guido Visconti, Mark D'Anvers
#2: Team BKCP-Powerplus
A powerhouse team. Francis N. Vague is the face of modern cyclo-cross. Christian Schiltz is the Eurasian Champion and a classics-specialist. Together they fight for victory just about anywhere. Sven Welling is an important piece in the team, too, especially mentally for the young riders. They've been joined by Louis Listerijn this season, Milan's brother.
Riders: Francis Vague, Sven Welling, Christian Schiltz, Louis Listerijn
#3: NamDeb CycloX Project
While their results have been amazing last season, the team had to let two riders go, leaving them with only three riders. Moli and Sow will fight for all they're worth, but their real talent is Mutahi. The Kenyan is a winner and will want to get even more out of this season.
Riders: Mustafa Moli, Estifanos Mutahi, Mohuti Sow
#4: Glasgow City Council
After a major boom in Great Britain, this is all that remains a few years later. Besides Cook, who is no ordinary Brit, this is all that's left of the nation's cream. Bollinger from Australia has left his team to become a leader, and he'll do it here in Glasgow. Should be good for at least a victory and a trophy top 10.
Riders: Michael Bollinger, Thijs Van Lookeren, Andrew McLaughlin, Robert Wells, Nic Hashir
#5: Vittel
No Carlisle. The Brit has retired from cyclo-cross after two disappointing seasons. And so the team had to reinvent itself. They have signed many riders and take a few risks, but we hope it pays out for them. Etxeberdea knew a fine debut season and we hope to see more from him soon.
Team Odfjell are becoming legendary at what they do. We see the same three names returning, but it'll be for the last time. Hammarling ends his career in cyclo-cross with Odfjell and hopes for a great final season. Eldfjallsson is a consistent rider and excels in the World Cup. The three riders love an icy challenge and when the temperatures drop, you can expect this team to be right up there.
Riders: Mikel Hammarling, Hafthor Eldfjallsson, Timi Kokkonen
#7: All Blacks
New-Zealand is growing more and more important to the sport, and now they're here with a fine team. The All Blacks hope to give Lachy Bauer a second start in his cyclo-cross career. Ledoux and Payne can learn the ropes while also supporting the Kiwi.
Riders: Lachy Bauer, Arthur Ledoux, Matt Payne
#8: Bauknecht-Author
Sylvain Lipawsky went in a different direction and chose to end up here, at Bauknecht. With Konva and Soucek at his side, he could be a very dangerous client in just about any race he enters.
Riders: Sylvain Lipawsky, Karol Konva, Jan Soucek
#19: Randstad
Besides the obvious Cook, Randstad can just be one of the strongest teams around. Besides the UCI n°1, they also have Baris Dao, who had an amazing debut season last year. Pieter Van Dyck is said to be the next big thing from the Netherlands. After taking his time to grow in the U23 league, he finally made the jump to the pro's. We expect a lot from this team and its leaders.
Riders: Elliot Cook, Baris Dao, Ferdi Kloet, Nicky Van Drenthe, Lars Van Hennep, Pieter Van Dyck
#10: Team Mapei
No changes for Team Mapei, but why change a winning formula? Matt Mazzarelli returns for the Italian team and hopes to do even better this year. The Italian is immensely popular and is known for his attacking style. When the road goes up, he's the one to watch.
Riders: Matt Mazzarelli, Fabrizio Lorenzi, Dirk Accostella
#11: Topsport Vlaanderen
Belgium is back, and Topsport Vlaanderen wants everyone to know it. Vermeulen, Van Overberghe, Lejeune, Verboven, the Van Eyck brothers and Lombaerts. They only want one thing: ride every race to the fullest. Getting a victory would be great for them, and not even that impossible.
Riders: Milan Vermeulen, Stan Van Overberghe, Lars Lejeune, Rudy Verboven, Toon Van Eyck, Jens Van Eyck, Dirk Lombaerts
#12: Torku Åžekerspor
No big names, no big talents. The Turkish team does however survive and hopes to claim a few top 10 spots along the way.
Riders: Gregory Bernard, Arda Akdeniz
#13: Blue Bell CX
Blue Bell CX was new last season, and already they're a team to be reckoned with. Dao left the team for Randstad, but will they miss him all that much? With Goldenberg, they're going for the podium in the World Cup. Markson seems good for at least a victory this season. Power will ride a special programme and hopes to fly through the sand to victory. Chris Young is new and Canadian. Is he talented enough for the professional circuit? We'll find out this season!
Riders: Eddie Goldenberg, Fred Markson, Max Power, Chris Young
#14: Team Red Bull
Red Bull always had ties with the sport, and now they're back sponsoring a team. Dubois is one of the biggest names in trial, but decided to follow his heart and come to the field. A triple World Champion, it'll be hard to do just as well here, but he'll try, we know that. Gormley was also a perfect signing for Red Bull. Well, not 100% perfect, since Gormley is a Green Bull.
Team BAKARI returns, and with their successful formula: Amadou Bakari. The Gabonese isn't the best rider around, but he's no longer the worst around, too. His many struggles has left him hard-headed and he rides for every spot, resulting in UCI n° 34, far from the worst of the pack.
Rider: Amadou Bakari
Giant-Alpecin
Giant is a well-known road team, but now they're investing in cyclo-cross as well. And why shouldn't they? Bruggemann returns to the field after a nice road career. But they also have some new, young blood. Rosanski and Huser are Germany's next talents.
Riders: Paul Rosanski, Robin Huser, Daniel Bruggemann, Alfonso Munoz, Henry Georges
Season Protagonists
Which names can we expect at the top of the tables throughout the season?
Francis Vague
Francis N. Vague is cyclo-cross' billboard. A fighter, a winner, a Belgian. He'll be hard to beat and he wants the triple crown, especially after being so close last season.
Our Score: 9.5/10
Elliot Cook
The Cookie Monster is perhaps the only one even more impressive than Vague at times. He is relentless, powerful and isn't shy to use mental warfare on this rivals. Cook is a true mudrider and races all season long with the same fight in his heart.
Our Score: 9.5/10
Matt Mazzarelli
Mazzarelli has shown us his talent in the last races last season. When he's in form, he does what he wants. Winning doesn't come easy to him, but he hasn't outgrown it either. We expect him to finally target a trophy this season and show us what he can do.
Our Score: 8.5/10
Sylvain Lipawsky
Lipawsky went under the radar a bit last season. He never peaked as well as he could and had some bad luck. But still he ended up the podium of two classifications. Lipawsky is never bad, even when his form isn't good.
Our Score: 8/10
Christian Schiltz
Schiltz is becoming an expert in classics and still has his eyes on the Coca-Cola Trophy. Side by side with Vague, he can be quite dangerous.
Our Score: 8/10
Season Underdogs
These riders will be targeting a few victories, too. Watch out for them, they strike when you least expect it!
Hafthor Eldfjallsson
Eldfjallsson is still developing. The rider can handle many different terrain and has made the World Cup his specialty. A podium there isn't unrealistic for him this season.
Our Score: 7.5/10
Eddie Goldenberg
Much like Eldfjallsson, he targets the World Cup. A sand expert, a great bike handler. Goldenberg is ambitious and has the talent to back it up.
Our Score: 7.5/10
Milan Listerijn
The young Kiwi has known a great debut season. But now it's time to step up. He's got pressure on him, but can he deal with it okay? He speaks out great ambition and that's to his credit. He wants to let his legs do the talking, though, and so we expect him in quite a few races this season.
Our Score: 7.5/10
Mikel Hammarling
The Swede ends his cyclo-cross career with one last season. His big target: Torku. Can he win it a record third time? We'll have to wait and see, but he'll fight for the win, that we can tell.
Our Score: 7/10
Lachy Bauer
Bauer has chosen the field over the road again, but the transition won't be that easy. His talent is undeniable, though, so a victory isn't that impossible for him.
Our Score: 6.5/10
Who Should We Watch Out For?
Finally, let's take a look at the newcomers in the peloton. It's impossible to predict how debutants will do, but here's who our money's on. Keep in mind that this is a risky game and the step to the pros is different for each rider. We're not liable if you lose money betting on these guys.
Their scores are not comparable with the above scoring. They are in their own league here.
Pieter Van Dyck: 9.5/10 Robin Huser: 9/10
Arthur Ledoux: 8/10 Paul Rosanski: 8/10 Matt Payne: 7.5/10
Alessio Forcellini: 7/10 Louis Listerijn: 6.5/10 Toon Van Eyck: 6.5/10 Henry Georges: 6/10
Lastly, we are curious what Dubois, Bruggemann and D'Anvers can bring to the sport. They have experience, albeit in different settings.
Season 2016 - 2017
There's not much left to talk about. It's about time to let the riders do the talking. Only one week left and we start the new season in the Duinencross in Belgium. Keep an eye out for some of the press conferences. But mostly, we hope to see the riders let their legs do the talking. We're ready for another great season of cyclo-cross!
Well it's been some fine fun, all the adventures and times on the road, in the spa, enjoying time on the beach and the mountains as well. It was a well-mixed routine to pass the year: To stay in shape, to improve on your talents, to be able to reset and recuperate. To what's needed for another highlight in his young career. Doctors, physicians, coaches and mechanics were there to help him best come into shape. His family providing him with ever-lasting support and motivation though.
But for Francis N. Vague it's time to get back home. Home means in his tradition two suitcases, an armada of CX bikes and a travel ticket to take him around the globe.
BKCP - Powerplus manager couldn't have looked more happy when he presented Vague to the exclusively belgian crowed of journalists. Here, look at him - his face said - Lotto-Fidea wanted him, but we kept him. Oh boy, did we keep him. Alongside Schiltz, Vague is said to be the form the perfect duo of BKCP-Powerplus surge back to the top.
Formerly the team of many world champions and Superprestige winners, the recent years havn't been good to the team. Their stars retired, Welling remained, Lotto-Fidea was running wild with Cornelis. But Cornelis is long gone by now and Vague has stolen the spotlight two years back already. Now, it's all eyes on BKCP-Powerplus. Power Plus Vague. Get your dream combo right there.
Traditionally for the young brat, 21 years old of age and his third pro season by now, Vague is seated next to his manager, some water bottles and a logo of Coca-Cola neatly presented in front of him. Drink that bottle, boy. Just for the camera. Twink twink.
"Welcome back", Vague opens with a light joke, looking at well known faces of men and women who have followed his races well enough to not what he is capable of. "Me here, you there.. like a family coming together each year, uh. So, let me just start by saying: Good to see you all here."
So, what's your plan this season. The Double? The Trinity?
I just knew you'd start with something like that, typical first question. Well, last season was some defeat in my own home race, where I lost the World Cup win and my chance at achieving something only two men before me accomplished. I'm still young, I'll work to get another chance at this. Maybe not this year, but it'll always be in the back of my mind. I don't know how good my legs are, hardly anybody knows that at the start of the season in comparison to the others.. So, we will look how I do in my traditional good races, Blaarmeesen for example, and take it from there. The Double certainly intrigues me, both to defend the Superprestige and finally get my hands around the World Cup trophy. But I'm also open to the thought of the Coca-Cola Trophy, possibly riding in a supporting role of Schiltz with hopes of myself achieving the podium. Of course, the World Championships fainlly will be a goal as well, although the Eurasian Championship in Huy, Wallonia - my home region - could well turn out to be a season highlight for me. We'll see how it goes.
The numbers of Classics has been reduced to five. You are known to skip them, some fans argue that your lack of interest plays recently a role in the folding and vanishing importance of these races. What's your take on them? Will you target a Classic this season?
We've scheduled and trained in off-season in a way that incorporates the lessons I've learned in the previous two seasons. I'm wiser now than before. Classics are an important part of cycling, I'll come around doing them and I go into this season with the intention of racing for the win in some, probably all of them. I havn't won a big classic yet, it's definitely on my agenda for this season. There are different laws than in the classification races though; Christian is a specialist in them, maybe he can share some tips.
You mentioned the World Championships. They are going overseas for the first time ever, it'll also be a rather sandy profile. How do you rate your chances against the english-speaking crowd in form of Cook, Bollinger and Goldenberg?
I don't look that far into the future, we havn't done a single race yet. I'll be in form when the race comes around and I tried to reduce the gap to them in the off-season, but also tried to improve and keep my strengths. It's tricky, you know. But: Cook is obviously the top favourite when it comes to sandy affairs, followed by guys like Gormley and Bollinger.. They are all well-known sand experts. Goldenberg may have home bonus but if he wants to be really golden - pardon, the pun - he'll have a long way ahead of him.
And Huy is for more to your liking?
Indeed, the Eurasian Championships in Huy will be great fun. I appreciate it that after the recent Championships in Czech Republic and even Japan, UCI decided to host the event finally in Belgium. I have neither won the Championships in my junior years nor as a pro as of yet, it's certainly a goal for me this season to get the jersey.
Several new races this season has been added, thinking of Cali, Herne Hill. Your take on them?
The UCi has done well in attracting new regions to the sport, convincing towns to host an event for the sport. To get back Herne Hill and the velodrome finish is just great though, because it's also a race with a history in the sport. New races add to the dynnamic of the sport, each season has its own challenges for each rider but add one, two new races in the mix and you make sure thereby the sport grows. Last year implementations into the race calendar did great, especially Alpe d'Huez and Luxembourg Challenge. I'm sure the new races will be fun too, and a great success. If you ask me about a race that I look especially forward to riding: I'd love to say Herne Hill but it's actually Whakapapa. I have fallen a bit in love with New Zealand in the past two seasons, despite their love to nag at us belgians -- but the race reminds me a bit of the Alpe d'Huez version, I look forward to take on the mix of rocks and snow.. it'll make for a very demanding challenge, to keep control on both kind of grounds.
So new races are one part, there's also a nice addition of new riders. Any guys you particularly look forward to taking on, maybe give 'em a lesson or maybe even fear to race against?
I'm not too aware of all the new names just yet, we'll get to know each other once the circuit is in full-swing. I have raced one season against Van Dyck back when I was still a junior, he has been an extraordinary talent in the past and I'm glad he makes the step up the elites now.. Christian Schiltz, Van Dyck and I had some well fought benelux rivalriers in the youth ranks in fact. Still some of the best CX fights I had the pleasure to contest in.
As of now, I am really happy that Mark D'Anvers returns to the sport. He is a great name in both Flanders and Wallonia, well-recognized and he should be a great addition also for the Belgium national team, to give us another card to play. How many seasons are left in him after the retirement? That'll be interesting to find out. Of course, I also like the other belgian names, it's always great to see riders coming up from the youth ranks and being able to fulfill their dream thanks to the large public interest and also the success of us belgian riders partly.
I heard there's a wave of germans coming.. we'll see what they are capable of, but Ansbach Cross has been a great event of the past, and Germany is a big bike market. For Cyclo-Cross it's good we get Germany, and France too, back on board.
Last year, you closely missed out on the podium in Pyeonchang. It's back this year, and with the confirmed CX addition to the sport, Pyeonchang will receive lots of CX attention this year, and of course next year. How do you rate the course, how do you rate the olympic games?
Well first off, it's just great news that the UCI has managed to convince the IOC to add Cyclo-Cross to the olympic sports. Being on this level, an official IOC sport.. this gives plenty of options to many athletes now. There are of course studies that being olympic helps a sport a great deal, and in this way I think CX will have a great future, also thanks to the Olympic spirit. But there's also the whole allure, of the spirit, the cermony, the chances, the public interest.. the opening and closing ceremony. Imagine one of us riders walking around, presenting our national flag. Gabon could be there in form of Bakari, making history at the winter olympic games..
I hope next year there will be a fantastic race. There's the dream of being at Olympic Games, but I also hope to get a medal then. You know which one I'd prefer. But for now, this doesn't matter though. I'll ride Pyoenchang to win it now, to gain the World Cup points and to add it to my palmares. You can be sure though that Pyeonchang will be the undisputed season highlight next year and I want to take my chance this season to learn as much as possible of this race. I always want to thank the likes of Dobransky and Cornelis who have done their part in the past to make this happen and who represented us riders in a great way. I'm sure they'll be there at the sidelines then.
Lastly, BKCP-Powerplus and you have taken their fair share of time until the new contract was signed. BKCP is also said to have significantly(!) increased their budget to keep both you and Christian on the team. They succeeded for now, any ideas on the future?
I'm really happy here. The sponsor, the companies.. they do a great job at representing us and providing the staff and the riders with plenty of opportunities. Docs, physicians, coaches, mechanics. I couldn't ask for a better team. I couldn't ask for a greater place to stay. I've kept quiet about the contract because I wanted to focus on the racing and keep my level high. It's how I do my seasons, it's how it works for me. The team management was always aware of that, and respected that. I'm thankful for that. And they have also done great at providing both me and Christian with the best input for the races.. We are both athletes and we both ride for our own goals and wins. Christian has been fourth in the UCI classification last season, he's an incredible rider. He doesn't expect me to work for him though, I don't want him to work for me. Sure, there'll be days in races were a helping hand by either of us can mean a great deal, and can make all the difference in the world. It'll also be a great way to weaken our opponents at times but both of us have to ride for our own gain and ambitions in the end, and I think both Christian and I have done well in the past to ride like that, to find middle ground between our goals. What's in store for us, especially at BKCP-Powerplus.. well, time will tell, won't it?
Some words on the addition of Louis Listerijn. As Milan's brother and your teammate now, he could well be caught between the frontiers.
Yeah, I was surprised they signed him and he didn't follow Milan to Lotto-Fidea. He's been doing quite well in the trainings we both attented so far. I don't fear that he'll tell Milan lots, partly because I'm rather an open book when it comes to what I'm doing -- look at my facebook side, you know. Plus, I do most of my training alone or with Sven either way. But in the races I expect him to ride for BKCP-Powerplus, always, without any exception; the team pays him for that, we provide him with the chance to content on this level. I figure having a brother in the peloton is a nice bonus before and after the races but there shouldn't be any room for that until the finish line.
Lastly, the traditional question: Who will win the Duinencross?
Gormley will want to make his new team happy right at the start, so I say he makes it three for him, and give Red Bull a perfect debut race.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
We are not very far from the start of what should be a thrilling Cyclo-Cross season. I sat down with NamDeb CycloX Project rider Mustafa Moli.
Mr Moli, there is not long now until the start of the season, do you feel you are ready to compete?
This preseason, following my short holiday, I have worked very hard to prepare myself to be a better rider than last season. There isn't long to go and I am feeling in very good shape.
What are your ambitions this coming season?
I could go with the generic answer, to win, but there are more important things to me than just winning. Obviously I want to do well in as many races as possible and with Sow's help dominate the sandy races, but there is a second ambition. That is to help Mutahi.
In the solo sport of Cyclo-Cross did you just say your big goal is to help your team mate who isn't the same nationality as you?
Yes, that is exactly what I said. My goal this season is to ensure that Africa does very well on the world stage and Mutahi is the best rider we have to promote cyclo-cross on our continent. It is unlikely that I will dominate the professional peloton whereas he has a great chance to I shall help him. So will Sow.
In your belief is NamDeb then one of the closest knit teams in the Cyclo-Cross peloton?
Everyone has the right to their own opinion but in my opinion the answer is yes. Myself and Sow having ridden together for years get along very well, we're almost like brothers. We help each other with everything, personal issues and physical problems. Mutahi has been a great addition for the team, he brings a competitive attitude which further urges the rest of us on.
Well, our time here is up, thank you very much for your team Mustafa and we wish you luck for this season! Is there anything you would like to finish off with?
Thank you very much and indeed I do. I hope to do my team proud, my community proud, my country proud and I am sure that I will justify my position in the professional peloton this season. See you at the finish!
Welcome to the unofficial start of the 2016-2017 season. Most riders are here on this sunny Saturday to kick off the season with a good bit of fun. It's fun at the beach here in Oostende! Tomorrow, the riders will test their legs for the first time in the Duinencross, but today, they are here all as friends and all for a friendly little competition. Two disciplines in total: 1. the dune challenge, where the riders try to ride up a dune as far as possible. 2. The jumping bar. Who can jump the highest in a knock-out competition?
Let's get started!
First up is the Dune Challenge! We have a big dune here, which nobody can ride to the top. But who can get the highest before dismounting? The riders get an extra challenge: they only have 25 meters to build up speed, and that in the sand. It's a tough challenge, only suitable for riders with power and bike handling!
Riders start according to UCI number, starting at 63. Dirk Lombaerts takes a good flying start... But he doesn't get far up the dune. 187 cm.
Olivier Dubois sets a first real target for the others. He gets close to 5 meters! His official number: 486 cm. Impressive.
We have to wait a very long time for anyone to even come close to that number. But here is Max Power, a sand expert and a powerhouse. He takes a decent start and flies up the dune! 498 cm! A new leader!
Naveed Alinejad makes a good impression but comes a bit short to threaten Power's score. He manages 488 cm.
The volunteers work hard here, keeping the sand mixed so no lines appear for riders to profit from.
And here comes Shay Gormley, a favorite for this challenge as well as for the Duinencross tomorrow. He hits the dune at a fast speed... His power takes him way up to almost six meters! What a run from the Irishman. 580 cm!
Eddie Goldenberg comes close to Gormley's score, but not quite. 566 cm.
Christian Schiltz makes a small steering mistake and that costs him a good finish. He gets stuck at only 204 cm. Bad luck for the rider from Luxembourg.
And now the final two riders. Francis N. Vague gets cheered on the loudest today. He takes a good start, looks focused... At an impressive speed he hits the dune and tries to move up. You can see his power only takes him so far, but now he's using his skill to try and get a few more inches... And now he sets a foot on the ground. His score? 573 cm. Not bad, but no high score.
And so the only one left is Elliot Cook. Can the sand expert take down Gormley's score and win the Dune Challenge? The crowd cheers him on. Pure on the power he looks like he wants to bring down that dune all together. With that powerful back of his, he brings that strength from his lower back to his legs and that allows him to go up pretty high. The underground is to his advantage, too. This is no muddy or grass hill, this is sand!
He has to dismount. The judges signal. 603 cm! Over 6 meters. Congratulations to Elliot Cook, he's taken the first win of the season. Although it won't mean much at the start tomorrow!
Top 10
Name
Score
1
Elliot Cook
603 cm
2
Shay Gormley
580 cm
3
Francis N. Vague
573 cm
4
Eddie Goldenberg
566 cm
5
Max Power
498 cm
6
Michael Bollinger
491 cm
7
Naveed Alinejad
488 cm
8
Olivier Dubois
486 cm
9
Mustafa Moli
475 cm
10
Lachy Bauer
472 cm
And now we go on to the jumping. The bar starts at 15 cm, so that almost everyone will be able to jump it.
Dubois, coming from trial riding, can jump a whole way and he wants to impress the crowd. He gets a big round of applause.
[...]
The bar is now raised to 50cm. Not many riders remain at this point. We just saw Milan Listerijn get knocked out of the competition, along with Sylvain Lipawsky. Still in the competition at this point:
Francis Vague, Eddie Goldenberg, Jan Soucek, Lachy Bauer, Arthur Ledoux, Olivier Dubois.
50 centimeters Vague goes over the 50 cm easily. Same for Goldenberg, Soucek. Bauer hits the bar and has to get in line for a second chance. Same for Ledoux. Dubois has no trouble with the 50 cm bar.
50 centimeters - second chance Bauer lines up and goes for the jump... Argh, he hits the bar again! He's out at 50 cm. Ledoux looks ready for his second go... And makes it! He progresses to the next round.
55 centimeters Vague doesn't make it. Goldenberg and Soucek both jump over the bar quite comfortably. Here comes Ledoux... and doesn't make it. Dubois progresses.
55 centimeters - second chance
The crowd cheers loudly for the World Champion. He gets on the bike, goes for the jump... but the bar hits the ground. Vague is out! Ledoux knows this is his second second chance. He jumps... But can't match the height.
And so we have three riders left competing for the win!
60 centimeters
Amazing, all three riders jump over 60 centimeters, this is impressive! And that on a cross bike!
65 centimeters Goldenberg doesn't quite make it! The other two get over on the first attempt. Amazing.
65 centimeters - second chance
The American jumps! But to no avail. He is out. We have two finalists left!
70 centimeters Dubois doesn't make it. He's an expert but the cross bike is something else than he's used to. We wait if Soucek can make it... And he does! Fantastic!
70 centimeters - second chance
Here comes The Swiss Trial World Champion... No, Soucek wins this competition!
75 centimeters
But we continue. How high can the Czech jump? He jumps... over 75 centimeters!
77 centimeters
Deep concentration now... He hits the bar! Again!
77 centimeters - second chance
The audience is cheering wildly. Soucek goes... Just barely! But he's over, this is amazing!
79 centimeters
Can he jump 79 centimeters? That would be unreal... He doesn't go over on the first attempt.
79 centimeters - second chance
What a height, but Soucek is going for it... Aargh, it's over. His score: 77 centimeters. Congratulations, Jan Soucek.
Well, ladies and gentlemen. This was our fun at the beach. We hope to see you tomorrow for the real work, with the official start of the season. Duinencross in Oostende, tomorrow. See you then!
Edited by Ian Butler on 14-12-2015 08:05
The rumours flied around a long time, and now it's official: the olympics 2018 will Feature cyclocross-events. We asked the this year returning german cyclocrosser Daniel Brüggemann for a statement, and this is what we received:
It's unbelievable for me. Sure it was rather sure that cyclocross makes his debut at the olympics, but it still feels unreal. And just imagine how many people will watch this on tv! That could be the start of a real boom of cyclocross, bigger than the current one! Also many sponsors will watch the races and may be attracted by cyclocross. And it will be positive for the IOC, with many untypical wintersports nations in cyclocross.
One last word: will you participate in Pyeongchang 2018?
It's a dream of mine for a long time, to participate at the olympics, but I'm currently unsure about it. I say let's see how I'll adapt in this season.
At the conclusion of the jumping event, a few journalists grab Sylvain aside for a quick interview.
Salut Sylvain, we know you've been talking about a transfer for some time now, but why to Bauknecht?
Salut, there were a few offers going round but they just seemed like the best team for me Soucek and Konva are both promising talents who will give me some support I was missing at SAP and be able to ride on their own as well. Really looking forward to a good season with them.
There were a few rumours going around though, Giant, Vittel, even Mapei!
Giant would have been good but they went on to pursue German talents and Vittel weren't too interested in me, they are more about giving French riders a chance even if I'm from French Speaking Switzerland and I think I would be put to Matt's support or alone at Mapei, so Bauknecht really were the best option.
On that, Soucek is your new teammate, although Dubois is also from Switzerland, who were you supporting at the end there?
I'll admit I was rooting for Jan there, It great to see my teammate do well and I'm getting along quite well with him. Olivier rubs me the wrong way a bit, showing off a bit, I don't know.
How about your performance today?
Wouldn't call it a performance, it was just a bit of fun, I'm really surprised to come 10th in the Dune climb though, why can't I do that in races? Haha.
So how about that upcoming season, what are your goals?
I'd like to win the Christmas Classic again, it was great last year, although I feel the value is fading, the biggest names in the sport aren't coming to the classics as much, Dries respected them, but Vague is now the posterboy for CX he's the world champion and classics are dropping from the calendar very quickly, it's an obligation for someone with his status to really give it his all in classics, it's not something he's done wrong yet, but he really has to win one or give it a good shot this year, still it's his season. But classics need to become a thing again, to keep the sport from becoming too commercial and still keep the history alive, still what can I say, I have to wear Rolex watches now, which doesn't support my point.
My other goals is that this year I really want to win a classification, Coca-Cola seems my best shot, although I'll see where I'm at after in each classification after a few weeks. The worlds don't suit me this year, although I'll still ride them in good form and the Continental Champs will be good for me if isn't too icy, but just Christmas and a classification as my main goals this season, I'm really just hoping to be more consistent then my past seasons.
He knocks over the bar when in the top 8 but accepts his fate with a smile. Power and jumping, not exactly the greatest talents of Milan Listerijn, but hell get there. A solid twelfth and then eighth shows hoe far he's come.
Milan, this event has been a great success. How do you rate it?
I think it's a great wee way to open the season, the kids can come watch and meet their heroes, I didn't get many but they'll soon come over [laughs]. To my fellow crossers who didn't come, you don't know what you just missed. It was a laugh with friends in the pack and a good way for those people who want to to see where the others are at up the dunes for the opening cross in a few days.
The calendar has been announced, plus Pyeonchang confirmed. Your take?
Yeah I like it, obviously I've talked about Whakapapa and now Cali and Herne are great as well. I'm still waiting for a pure uphill punchy finish though, Tekapo is my closest bet this year I guess. Pyeonchang, wow, many have said, and I agree, the success of this sport going forward depends on it. An entertaining race, more fans and money. I'm not in favor of how commercial it is close to becoming but races like Hertford and Sochi in recent years failing due to lack of funding is a shame.
Lipawsky said just before you that he is disappointed in the commercial side of things, did you see that?
No, but I agree and I know what he will say about the classics. I agree, they are my favorite races and I hope to ride them all this year, except maybe skip Arenberg for Dunkerque. But yeah, to see them go is sad, they are a staple of the sport and great races I would love dearly to win. I try not to get involved in the sponsorship side of things, sure I sip a Coke when the team say, sure I ride a Conalgo bike and I am in the photoshoots, but in my eyes bike sponsors aren't ruining the sport, they help it in measured ways. But I don't do GoPro, I don't do Rolex, I don't do Red Bull. It's a nesscesary evil but it doesn't have to be to this extent.
So where do you target classification-wise?
Haha, I sound like a hippocrite maybe but the Coca-Cola trophy, it's just great for me especially if I can improve on my power and hopefully I've matured physically enough to last the season this time around. Superprestige I will ride the whole thing as well, try and do most classics. This leaves the World Cup, I try to ride there as much as possible but those matches will be first on the chopping block if need be.
And finally, when analyzing you mentally many say you are very ambitious. Do you think this could be negative?
Hey, I'm determined to get to the top and that requires ambition. I don't have too much of it because I don't have my head in the cloud and for now I'm not anywhere near the top. See Carlisle, he was a bit of an arrogant person, letting his sense of self-importance and ambition get in the way of being a good person. His wings were clipped harshly. I don't believe in fate or karma but arrogance never leads to a good end. Obviously they're not the same thing but it's a thin line. I never really thought of myself as ambitious, to me it's still surreal talking to you media. But it's stupid to pretend I'm not now one of the ten best in the world, for now, that I don't have a chance of winning a race. To me I'm a realist who still believes in dreams.
It was nice to get down on the Oostende beach and have some fun with the rest of the Cyclocross riders. The dune challenge went a lot better than I thought it would as I’m not that great on the sand but luckily my technique was strong and helped me get further up the dune than I thought I would. I was only aiming for around 4 metres so to get close to 5 was a surprise to myself. I must admit I was targeting 75cm in the jump contest and know I’m capable of getting over the 70cm mark that I failed at but unfortunately I just haven’t fully adapted to the Cyclocross bike yet, if I was on my Trials bike then it wouldn’t have been a problem.
Speaking of that Jumps competition Sylvain has been fairly critical of me after it saying I was showing off a little but I was just having fun. Honestly coming from my background I was on a lose-lose situation there, if I tried to win it then I get accused of showing off, if I didn’t then that wouldn’t exactly reflect well on me if can’t be amongst the best at what should be a speciality of mine. They’d all have laughed at me and no-one would be taking my switch across to trial seriously.
Recently Sylvain and Milan have both been talking about the commercial side of things, but honestly I don’t really see the problem with it. I’m not just saying that because I’m sponsored by Red Bull either, I truly believe that if they aren’t bringing the money into the sport in terms of sponsorship then the sport wouldn’t be able to grow or even maintain it’s current levels of success. I’m lucky enough to be in the position where I’ve made a name for myself and attracted a big sponsor that has graciously allowed me to follow my heart and take part in a sport that is my passion for the first time in nearly 10 years. As far as I’m concerned if a company is kind enough to pay me to do what I love and allow me to go racing then I don’t mind giving them something back by being their poster boy and helping them sell their merchandise.
I’m guessing the American riders will agree with me on this seeing as a lot of the American sports make guy’s name drop their sponsors in post-race or post-competition Interviews which is something that was present in the Trials world thanks to the high number of American riders and sponsors so is something I’ve been used to for a while now.
Anyway I’m glad to be here and while I did well on the beach adapting to the new bike is something that is still taking some time. Even though I used to ride as a junior, it just doesn’t feel the same as I remember, I know it has been a long time since I rode CX and I’ve grown since then so the bike’s a bit bigger than I remember so maybe that’s part of it but I was hoping to have adapted a bit quicker than this.
I think that and getting used to the distance will be the hardest things to adapt to and what will hold me back most this season. An hour’s a long time for me and I’m sure that my lack of fitness will show in the early part of the season. Hopefully the more technical crosses where I can make the most of my skills will allow me to preserve energy better and make the most of my skills to limit time loss when I start fatiguing and offer me the best chance to gain some good results.
My season goal is to get myself a top 20 number for next year and pick up a couple of podiums and maybe a win near the end of the season. I know it might not sound that ambitious for a triple world champion but I know it will be hard to adapt across to cross racing and I’m hoping to use this season to gauge how much work I’ll need to do in the off season so I can return in my second season to challenge for a classification podium. I’m just trying to be realistic and whilst I’m not feeling like I can handle the distance in the early stages I look forward to helping out my new teammate Gormley before I start to suffer too much from a lack of conditioning.
This year is my first year on a professional Cyclocross team and I’m really looking forward to it. My main aim will be to do well in the under 23 ranks where I’ll spend most of the season but I’ll also be looking to take part in a few senior races this season aswell.
My schedule for the season is almost finalised and will see me riding the Coca Cola trophy and the NES races aswell as some selected others like the Italian races and the Swiss Races and Continental Championship.
Hopefully riding against the likes of Vague and Cook will allow me to become better and improve as a rider and take that experience back down to the Under 23 level so I can be really competitive there and hopefully get a few race wins before stepping up full time. But riding the pro races isn’t solely about improving myself as a rider it’s also about trying to help out my more senior teammates as best I can and giving them any help I’m capable of.
The cyclo-cross season is upon us! After a nice warm welcome, the riders get back in the field, or rather the sand, for a new amazing season. Shay Gormley has won the last two editions, can he make it three in a row? With the decreasing number of classics, many riders will want to add one to their palmares!
Race Information
Country: Belgium
City/Place: Oostende
Classification: Classic
Starting Time (Elite Men): 15h30
Favorites: Shay Gormley, Elliot Cook, Michael Bollinger, Christian Schiltz.
Record: 4 x Jannes Vandewalle (1984, 1985, 1988, 1991)
Race History: The Duinencross is the traditional kick-off of the season. For ages now, it rings in the new Belgian cyclo-cross season. For the riders, the sand in Oostende feels like an old arena, where they are prepared to fight to the death.
Route Information
Technical: 4
Sand: 4
Uphill: 3
Cobblestones: 3
The Duinencross made some changes in the parcours last year and it seems like they like this new direction. The profile is exactly the same as last year's.
The route takes the riders through the sand fairly soon. There, the riders have to cross over a few dunes. They get out of the sand and almost directly turn onto the narrow, cobbled roads.
The most technical part of the profile is just over halfway, when the riders take a few U-turns before heading back into the sand.
Sand experts can make the difference riding on top the famous 'Cornelisduin'. The dune has been named after Dries Cornelis. The dune thanks his name to Cornelis after he won his third Belgian title there years ago. With Dries Cornelis now gone from the pack, other riders will want to step up and get a dune named after them!
Besides being able to ride through sand, uphill and on cobblestones, it is expected that power will be the most determining factor. Riders lacking power might fall back in the final 10 minutes, with dramatic consequences.
Without having to worry about a classification, the Duinencross is always good for great spectacle and aggressive racing.
So here we are at the new season. Things have already kicked off well as i was 5th in the Dune Climb. My work on the dunes on the Texas coast clearly paying off. The off-season was certainly productive and i feel much stronger and more capable than ever before. Yes the focus was on my sand riding still but also on those CX specific skills like hurdles and running.
As part of my split-season programme i'm not holding back on early season form. I'm quite happy to come in at a high level of fitness with my eyes set upon good results in Australia in just about a weeks times. This opening weekend is just about getting back up to speed and back into the swing of things.
Hammer Time
Those pre-season competitions were kinda fun, a nice little novelty before people get serious. Duinecross is a great event and it's working fantastically as a season opener, great to begin with a Belgian atmosphere. Not a course for me though, actually these opening weeks arn't the best for me.
Which is fine as my fitness is a tad lacking. Riding a few road races has changed my off-season planning around as i needed to take a break after those long races. I'm far from unfit but i seriously doubt that i'll be contesting for wins this week or next. I can feel that my stamina has improved though thanks to the long races. Let's begin this final CX season of mine
Lets get going! It was certainly a productive off-season and i got plenty of practice in. Main areas of improvement, probably my overall speed and sprinting. I've gained a bit of weight in muscle bulk which has compromised my climbing skills a tad. It will keep me out of the serious climbing races but it won't hinder me too much.
Without riding the NES i don't really have a significant target. I'll just go and ride and see what i can manage. The less climb heavy races and less technical ones will be better for me. Certainly this opening week won't suit me too well, but once we go Down Under i can test my legs a bit more. Though i imagine the team will want to use me as lieutenant for Goldie quite a lot, as long as i get to go for it in races like Antofagasta that really suit me i don't mind.
Goldie
How can i finished 5th in the World Cup in my debut season, and as top rookie in the UCI ranking, and then not get mentioned as a favorite at all. I hope those pre-season competitions put some of that to rights, 4th in the dune climb showed my sandy skills and an improvement in my climbing ability, and 3rd in the jumping contest to boot!
The World Cup is my goal. The addition of Cali and slight reduction in climbing overall really suits me. If i could get 5th last year i really can't see why the podium isn't a realistic possiblity. I'll use these opening two races to get racing legs back under me with first sights on the Melbourne Beach Race i really feel i could win.
I'm so focused i'm going to skip Hobart to be as fresh as possible. Beyond the World Cup i want to make a generally good showing in the US races and in the Coca-Cola Trophy. But obviously the ultimate goal of the year is the World Championships. On home soil in the USA and on a profile i could really challenge for. A long way off but i can't ignore the opportunity. I just really want to get going and establish myself amongst the best the sport has to offer.
Duinencross isn't a race that particularly suits Vague, but the young Walloon looks bright enough when taking on the course in training. Coming 11th and 9th in the previous two editions, Vague is far from being of Gormley quality, and it'd be presporous right now to talk or dream of winning here. Besides that, it's a classic, and yeah classics and Vague, you know neither has shown particularly high interest so far in the other.
But for him, the Duinencross has so far certainly established himself as a indicator of the rest of his season. If Vague can hold on for a while, he knows his legs are fine for the upcoming Blaarmeesen; a race where you just get thrown in and have to swim to make it to the shore. Shore, definition in that case: Superprestige contention.
So, you just keep head up and spin 'em legs.
The dune and jump challenge were fun little activites, Vague signed a couple of dozens autographs until Cornelis came to take away the spotlight, presumably for one last time.
Whether Vague is already making good on his promise of riding fully each classic of the season this time around, especially now that he is in the World Champion jersey, remains to be seen; Duinencross will be a fun start of that side-project of his though.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
It wern't much fancy spotlights for Guido at the Fun At The Beach Event in Oostende,but nevermind. For Guido, more important things are coming up. Like for any rider in the peloton, however: The son of Raphael Visconti is seemingly nervous about the new start of the season. When others are smiling, he is biting nails. Others talk big of dreams, his words are concern of avoiding failure. Talk about your first goal of the season, he worries about small things.
He dropped out fairly early at the jumping challenge, but he has been awkward in the Dune, where he dropped down just after a few meters when his front wheel got caught up in the sand and he ran into steering problems.
Guido has had a fantastic second half of the season, but the first one wasn't all that bright. His legs arn't spinning that easy either as they used to last season, so worries are large within him that he may have lost the spark just after he thought he'd found it a few months back. The spark, you know the one to make you special within the peloton.
For what it's worth, his paycheck is seemingly sweet right now and it'll run for a few years. Time enough to prove that he's deserving of it. And whilst yes, his father's name certainly added some value to his contract (with the thought of 'what could happen one day' ) and the 'no' from Vague made Lotto-Fidea probably a bit too desperate - Visconti got to admit that his own deeds have earned him the sum at the end of the contract.
So, the Duinencross is up and Visconti is not sure about where he stands and what his form will be like. Even if a good result gives him early wings, he feels like a child who has done too little math in summer, and will now pay the price by getting some failed tests back.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Whilst the big boys are just about to begin their season our latest recruit is already into his season. Chris Young began his CX season back in September racing parts of the USA Pro-Calendar, US CXNC and he'll have a couple of Canadian events as well soon. Chris will be along eventually to introduce himself just before he comes to the elite ranks, but in the mean time we'll drop some updates on his progress.
5th Sept, Rochester NY. Opening day of the US Pro-Calendar and Chris was in fine form. The Cat 1 event was dominated by the Canadian! 12th Sept, Breiningsville PA. Round 2 wasn't as easy for Chris. He struggled with mechanical issues fading outside the Top10. 16th Sept, Las Vegas NV. The former World Cup event is still a flagship race that attracts the best of domestic riders. Chris wasn't at home on the sandy course but showed his overall class to take 5th place. 19th Sept, Reno NV. The first CXNC race and Chris was back on point. He lead from flag to flag to take his second win of the season. 3rd Oct, Providence RI. Back on the Pro-Calendar and still on the podium. 3rd place was a good showing in a stormy weather affected race.
That's 2 wins and a podium in five races, not a bad start. His next race is in Waterloo, WI and then onto Boulder, CO. That'll be followed by a double in Canada with back-to-back races in Winnipeg to finish off October. Novermber begins with the Canadian NC's in Quebec. From there it's onto Savannah, GA and Lakewood, WA. Los Angeles, CA is a season highlight before Stony Point, NY. From there it's over to Europe to prepare for his debut in the Elite competition. He'll be in fine form for that momentous occasion.
Hammer Time
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TDF
Duinencross - Preview
