Loading ...Need Motivation to Start Training for Cyclocross? CX Pros Dominant at Teva Games
June 8th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
The other day we highlighted some of the recent road racing exploits of Euro ‘cross specialists as they get ready for the season that’s still three and a half months away. Sven Nys further added to his “off-season” results with an impressive 6th in the Saturday’s cross-country UCI World Cup in Fort William Scottland. But it’s not just the Euros who are ramping up for ‘cross through serious racing; our domestic ‘cross pros are doing the same.
Need some motivation to start getting the fitness up? Let’s look at how our country’s best are ramping up:
On Saturday, Ryan Trebon (Kona Factory Team) and Katie Compton (Spike Shooter / Primus Mootry) dominated the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado, taking early leads and turning them into more than five minute gaps by the end of each of their 2+ hour races.
Having only decided to attend the event two weeks ago, Trebon was unsure of his form, but found out early, taking the lead on the first hill and never looking back, finishing over 6 minutes on Jay Henry.
Compton rode a similar race, extending a fast start into a 5 minute lead over Heather Holmes. Compton continued her success in the hill climb on Sunday, with the self-proclaimed non-climber winning by 16 seconds over Pua Sawiki. [More…]
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Euro-file: Tom Vannoppen Retires, Other Belgians Hit the Road
June 5th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, euro-file, racers
Tom Vannoppen Hangs It Up
Tom Vannoppen, 29, once thought to be the next dominant Belgian cyclocrosser, retired from cycling this week. Vannoppen nearly won the world title in Zolder in 2002 but since has suffered several rough years which involved multiple injuries, depression, and last season, a drug scandal. He tested positive for cocaine and was fired by his Sunweb-Projob team, the former team of American Jonathan Page.
The once-promising rider has decide to hang it up after his latest struggles. He told Gazet van Antwerpen, “Look, I’ve had an awful lot [More…]
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Euro-File: Nys Accelerates His Hop to Landbouwkrediet, Boom Leading Olympia Tour
May 22nd, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
As we reported earlier two weeks ago, Sven Nys is switching from Rabobank to the Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner team. His original transfer date was to be on January 1, 2009, but he has negotiated that the move happen earlier, and if approved by the UCI, he will be wearing the new colors on May 28 for the start of the Tour of Belgium.
Luc Versele, the CEO of Landbouwkrediet, is very happy with the situation, Knack.be reports. “We are particularly pleased that Rabobank has constructively participated in a sporting solution…Sven can now relax and enjoy serenity in our team,” said Versele.
Nys has been ramping up his fitness in preparation for Beijing, and finished a respectable [More…]
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Euro-File: Vervecken Decides on Revor
May 15th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
After denying transfer rumors to Revor, multi-world champion Erwin Vervecken has officially inked a contract with the Revor team and will ride with them starting on January 1st. Vervecken will join current Revor riders Davy Commeyne, Jan Soetens, David Willemsens, Ben Berden and Bart Verschueren.
HLN.be reports Vervecken made his final decision because Revor offered a concrete future immediately. He explains, “I had an earlier conversation with [Fidea team] manager Hans Van Kasteren concerning a possible contract lengthening, but he couldn’t decide until November 1 if I could get a new obligation.”
Vervecken, now 36, says that it’s possible he might conclude his career at the end of February 2010, when his contract expires.
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The ‘Cross Queen Chooses the King
May 13th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
Cyclocross season must not be that far away. Pros are jumping teams, planning their upcoming schedules, and securing their new sponsors and equipment. U.S. National Champ Katie Compton is no different and has officially chosen her headset for this year and has issued this press release:
U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Katie Compton will be riding Chris King headsets for the upcoming Cyclocross season. Compton will also ride Chris King hubs and headsets on her Primus Mootry rigs during the MTB season as she prepares for the upcoming cyclocross season. The switch to Chris King headsets was an easy one for the Spike Shooter rider. “If you walk into any bike store in the country [More…]
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Euro-File: Vervecken to Change Teams? Not So Fast…
May 11th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, euro-file, racers
Erwin Vervecken, the Belgian multi-world champion of cyclocross has been rumored to be switching to the Revor team staring in January 1, 2009. However, Vervecken is denying the rumor, stating that he has not signed anything yet, according to Sport Planet. He says, “Next week I still have another appointment, where I have another good offer.”
He also denies that it is certain he is leaving Fidea. The only thing certain is that he is not happy with Fidea wanting to wait until November to decide on a contract extension. “I’m not depreciated yet, I feel good and still can command a large salary” he explains.
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Life after racing: Adrie van der Poel and…asparagus?
April 25th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
Adrie van der Poel was the Dutch hard man of cyclocross throughout the 90s, and racked up some impressive international victories, including winning the World Championships in 1996 and the World Cup and Superprestige titles in 1997. He finished second no less than five times at the Worlds, and had some notable results in the off-season hobby of road racing (including a second place to Greg Lemond in 1983 at the road World Championships). Van der Poel retired from racing in 2000.
What does an accomplished pro like that do nowadays? In Van der Poel’s case, a lot of rest, relaxation, and some championship ‘cross course designing.
But his competitive days aren’t over. van der Poel now focuses his energy on competitive asparagus hunting. On Thursday, he helped to find and pick the very first asparagus shoot of the year in the Brabant Wal region of Holland.
He’s seen pictured below (on the right, in gray), along with Martin Groffen, a Tourism and Sports official (center), and an younger-than-he-looks espoir on the left.
The picture above is of the competition’s podium ceremony. In true van der Poel fashion, he ceded the top step to Groffen, but was content with his consistency and podium place. You can read all about it here on woensdrecht.nl (but you really don’t have to since we just translated the whole thing for you, and yes, we’re 100% sure our translation from Dutch is completely accurate).
We thought it was going to be another slow cyclocross news week, until this story hit our desks
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It’s Contract Time: Nys signs with Landbouwkrediet / Credit Agricole
April 15th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
Contract talks are in full swing among ‘cross pros. Sven Nys, after considering several offers from teams including his current sponsor Rabobank, has signed a three-year contract with the Belgian Landbouwkrediet-Tönissteiner team, and will ride for them beginning January, 1 2009. Landbouwkrediet is a Belgian bank and part of the the Credit Agricole / Landbouwkrediet banking group. Tönissteiner is a German mineral water brand.
Bob Verbeeck, Nys’ agent, said Nys chose the offer with the “best sporting options and guarantees” and not the most financially attractive proposal.”
Nys said his attraction to team was his ability to create his own “tailor-made program.” He is looking forward to the change, saying it will add a “fresh wind to his career and without a doubt an extra boost.” [More…]
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Jonathan Page Signs With Planet Bike
April 11th, 2008 Filed Under cyclocross news, racers
Planet Bike Announces Jonathan Page Sponsorship, UCI Race
Madison, Wisc.- Planet Bike, a leading manufacturer of innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories, is excited to announce its 2008-2009 Cyclocross Team roster. In only its second year of sponsoring a Cross team, Planet Bike is thrilled by the signing of Jonathan Page, the top UCI rated American Cyclocrosser and Silver medalist at the 2007 World Cyclocross Championships.
Planet Bike is honored and excited that Page has chosen to represent Planet Bike for the upcoming Cyclocross season. Company founder Bob Downs stated that, “His sacrifice, determination, and heart are representative of our company in the way we do business, and we feel it is a very good fit both personally and professionally.” Planet Bike considers it only fitting that an American company be the title sponsor for the American who has come closest to capturing the one remaining major men’s World title that has eluded Elite/Pro U.S. riders. [More…]
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