Cyclo-cross news & racing round-up for December 31,
2005
Edited by Steve Medcroft
Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in cyclo-cross.
Feel free to send feedback, news and gossip to mtb@cyclingnews.com
Inside Geoff Proctor's Euro Cross Camp
Helping U.S. 'crossers make the grade
How do USA's cyclo-cross riders get up to speed with their European counterparts?
It's not easy, as results from the World's generally show. But cyclo-cross
coach and English teacher Geoff Proctor is doing his bit to help the top
Americans gain more experience by organising a European cyclo-cross camp
in the depths of winter. Steve Medcroft reports
on the initiative.
Geoff Proctor
Photo ©: Ed Collier
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Something unusual is showing up on the results of top Belgian Cyclocross
races between Christmas and New year's; there are Americans on the list.
We're not talking about the two names we've seen all season (Jonathan
Page and Jeremy Powers; who have been quietly making careers for themselves
in European ‘cross), but sixteen new names in one race alone (the Loenhout,
Belgium Gazet
van Antwerpen Trofee Veldrijden #5 for example).
You're seeing all those American names in European 'cross because of
the efforts of a Helena, Montana High School teacher named Geoff Proctor,
A USA Cycling elite-level coach and the U.S. Cyclocross National team
coach for four of the last five years, Proctor has gathered the best 'crossers
America has to offer the last three years running and flown them to Belgium
for an intense eleven-day block of racing and training.
The point of what Proctor calls "Euro Cross Camp", which is
held at the home of USA Cycling's European-based espoir development program
(a house in Belgium run by U23 team manager Noel Dejonckheere), is to
give young American cyclists an opportunity Proctor says he himself had
early in his career. “I raced two season of ‘cross here in the early nineties
(with the GS Guerciotti team based out of Zurich) and did two world championships,
and it just was glaringly obvious that U.S. riders needed help. Our riders
basically had no opportunity in the six weeks leading up to world's to
prepare for the biggest race of their lives.”
Click here for the
full feature
World Cup #7 wrap-up
Sven Nys (Rabobank)
Photo ©: Luc Claessen
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UCI number 1 Sven Nys (Rabobank) made up for his disastrous showing
in Igorre a couple of weeks ago by winning the seventh round of the Cyclo-cross
World Cup in Hofstade, Belgium. Although Nys had mechanical problems again
today, he was still strong enough to beat Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) by 14
seconds and Gerben de Knegt (AA drink-Bejan) by 26.
"This was one of the best wins in my career," said a very happy Nys
after the finish. "This week is already made, whether I win by own Grote
Prijs or not. I was annoyed at myself after the stupid flat tyre. I had
chosen slick tyres to ride with the turbo, but that's also risky. But
when the aggression took over in me, I was unstoppable."
Nys also describe the atmosphere at the race. "The hair on my arms was
standing on end, with all the spectators. After five setbacks [in the
last five races] I was mentally very strong. Now I still have one big
goal: a new world title, where everything has to go right."
Erwin Vervecken had to be content with another second place, and commented,
"It was a bit strange today. I was not as good on foot, but I was riding
really well through the sand. When Nys punctured, I decided not to go
flat out. That was perhaps the wrong gamble."
Wellens was hurting again, as he finished just 10th today. "I've still
got too much pain from my back. I couldn't go deep at all and furthermore
I still had pain in my thigh. Because of that, I also couldn't run much.
When Nys flatted, I could even follow him a bit, but I couldn't really
push it. Tonight the physiotherapist has to bring me solace again.
Read the entire World
Cup #7 race report here.
Superprestige #6: De Knegt scores on Christmas Eve
Dutch rider Gerben de Knegt (AA drink-Bejan) has notched up his biggest
career victory by beating Sven Nys (Rabobank), Erwin Vervecken (Fidea)
and John Gadret (Jartazi) in the 6th Superprestige race in Diegem, Belgium.
The race finished in a four man sprint and De Knegt was far too quick
for the rest. Bart Wellens (Fidea) was fifth after suffering mechanical
problems today.
"This is fantastic, I've always wanted to experience this," said a delighted
De Knegt to Belgian TV following the race. "Nys and Vervecken were looking
at each other the whole time and that was good for me. I definitely didn't
feel the strongest of the group, but they couldn't get rid of me. In other
'crosses I've gone too hard from the start, but now I stayed calm. This
is fantastic."
Sven Nys, who increased his lead in the Superprestige standings over
Bart Wellens, commented that he had based his whole race on Wellens. "I
rode full gas the whole time and was also at the end of my tether at the
end," he said. "On the downhill, everyone could always recuperate a bit
and you couldn't really get clear. I was lucky not to ride into Wellens'
wheel after his unlucky crash. I kept riding fast then so that he couldn't
come back."
Vervecken said that he used most of his reserves in attacking during
the race, trying to make it hard. "Through that I was left a bit short
in the finale. I thought that I wouldn't even make the top 10."
Read the entire Superprestige
#6 race report here.
Holiday season thanks: The Barb Howe diary
In this week's instalment, Barbarella relates her 'love' for riding
in the rain and mud.
It's been raining in Northern California for what seems like an eternity.
Christmas day was no exception with torrential rains causing flash flood
warnings in various counties. My training plan called for three and a
half hours on the fixed gear - sweet! I love the feeling when rain hits
your legs, pools on your kneecaps, slides down your shins and puddles
in your shoes. I love taking my glasses off at the end of a ride and realizing
that I couldn't actually see for the last few hours. I love making it
through a soggy ride without a flat, especially on the fixed gear. Most
of all I love coming home and taking a hot shower.
During my Christmas ride I saw and was joined by only one other hardy
soul who rode to escape the maddening noise of his children's new video
games. Josh's Mom cooked for the evening and I was in charge of dessert.
After decorating with ornaments from my childhood we ate dinner with Josh's
family. His parents live on a little sailboat in Sausalito. A few plates
of food and a few glasses of wine later I was down for the count on the
couch. This is especially impressive because the any more than seven people
on the boat feels like sardines. With Josh's parents, his brother, Josh
and myself, the boat was a cosy unit.
Read the entire Barbara
Howe diary here.
Global 'cross racing round-up
- Middelkerke, Bel (C2), December 29: Full
results & photos
- Azencross Loenhout, Bel (C1), December 28: Full
results & report
- Sylvester Cyclo-Cross, Bel (C2), December 27: Full
results
- Grand-Prix G.E.B.A. s.à r.l., Lux (C2), December 26:
Full
results
- World Cup #7, Bel (CDM), December 26: Full
results, report & photos
- Wachtebeke, Bel (C2), December 25: Full
results
- Superprestige #6 Diegem, Bel (C1), December 24: Full
results & report
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