the unofficial Cyclo-Cross Races thread

[kosmonooit]

52 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Am I the only one a little disappointed by the course? Like a high speed gravel short course race 

Exciting stuff anyway though

 

There always  is a variety of tracks in cyclocross, this one is fast because it was dry, some big climbs, technical bits, qute a bit of stopping and starting, and those steps really test the running legs. Led to good racing in my opinion. Others will do better in wetter and muddier tracks (ie Clara), but Brand and Vos do well no matter what you throw at them.

At the World Cup here last year it was wet and and a mud fest, Ms Vos lost it (and a podium spot)  down of those sweeping descents, but she was certainly the best yesterday, certainly in the game towards the end.  Although I was rooting for Lucinda, she had been winning all season, Vos dips in an out of cross, but that's the way it goes. No doubts VOS is the GOAT

 

 

 

[Rowl]

For all the hype surrounding Arkansas and the USA, this has maar looked like a local in the Highveld Winter.

[Frosty]

Lots of complaints about long queues (50 minutes) for beer, including them running out of normal beer (only Lite left).

Also, that the view of the circuit was limited to a few spots. I can’t remember seeing a circuit that has a great range of view.

['Dale]

The CX Olympic Champ's machine

[Frosty]

5 hours ago, 'Dale said:

Those steps were technical, but overwise dry, like a lawn in Beaufort-Wes. The Dutch dominance though, incredible.

Apparently not that technical 🤣

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZRK-xlFrHQ/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Edited January 30, 2022 by Frosty

[Frosty]

Think I'm going with TP for the win

[Fred van Vlaanderen]

TP has this in the bag.

[Eldron]

Damn - Tommy P certainly knows how to peak for the big days!

It also didn't hurt that the course suited Pro Tour style riders.

Even time for the superman. Proper dominance.

 

[Fred van Vlaanderen]

20 minutes ago, Eldron said:

Damn - Tommy P certainly knows how to peak for the big days!

It also didn't hurt that the course suited Pro Tour style riders.

Even time for the superman. Proper dominance.

 

Given his mountain bike prowess, I'm not sure a more technical course would have made a difference to the end result, but perhaps the other cross specialists would have been closer. I felt that this race really missed WVA and MVDP.

[jcza]

Pidcock clearly the best rider and deserved World Champ. (not his problem if van Aert didn't make the trip)

I'm just surprised that nobody was on a roadbike 🤪

[Eldron]

2 hours ago, Fred van Vlaanderen said:

Given his mountain bike prowess, I'm not sure a more technical course would have made a difference to the end result, but perhaps the other cross specialists would have been closer. I felt that this race really missed WVA and MVDP.

No question on his tech prowess but there was no mud. Mud needs big brute strength - Piddy is too little for that (on my opinion).

[kosmonooit]

Tom has won lots of CX races in the mud

[lechatnoir]

Two things come to mind about this weekend

1 - it was sunny, so can't really be CX in my mind - spectators and competitors must suffer alike!!

2 - Vos, the GOAT, has become a bit GOATier - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Marianne_Vos

[Frosty]

Was this a gravel race on a lap circuit, like XCM is relative to XCO?

[lechatnoir]

18 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Was this a gravel race on a lap circuit, like XCM is relative to XCO?

yeah, but they had to climb some steps as well.

 

[jcza]

I'm getting old and grumpy but the name already pissed me off....🤬

2022 Walmart UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships

Add to that insult the track, weather, weak beer etc