Unlike the Elite races, which look like they will be contested by many riders from around the world, the U23 and Junior races come with a few heavy favorites in each race. While snow is likely, our photographers set foot on the ground and captured shots of the Friday course, which includes loads of mud and ruts already covering the course.
Interestingly enough, the first two rows of the U23 and Junior races are not designated to the UCI ranking, but the overall World Cup standing, which is counter to what one finds in the Elite races. As Logan Owen told us earlier today by tweet, "If anything the World Cup points should only matter for the elites because of all the travel that the World Cup requires... Some of the younger juniors and U23's don't have the resources to make those expensive trips."
Junior Men's start list is here, U23 Men start list is here. Also, don’t miss our Elite Women and Elite Men’s Preview of Tabor.
The Swiss:
Swiss rider Johan Jacobs wins over Iserbyt and Andreassen. © Bart Hazen/Cyclocross Magazine
Junior Riders:
While the Swiss U23 racers might be happy to have their riders finish on the leader’s lap on Sunday, their expectations will be high for their Junior group on Saturday. Johan Jacobs is the biggest name here, and the only rider to exploit the kink in Iserbyt’s otherwise perfect armor this season at Namur. The two have been rivals for the last year, when they first rode in their Junior season, and last year at the World Championships in Hoogerheide, Jacobs was able to sneak ahead of Iserbyt for sixth place. The two will rekindle their feud tomorrow morning, but make no mistake, Iserbyt is the heavy favorite.
U23 Andri Frischknecht certainly is a recognizable name, even if he may not make the podium, as his world champion father, Thomas, had a role in his training and genetics.
