There are no foregone conclusions in cyclocross. But with the performance he put in today as well as those he’s shown since returning from injury, it seems the World Championships in Zolder may be van der Poel’s to loose.

Challenging conditions on the technical course saw riders running through the initial turns as they slipped and slid around, elbow-to-elbow. With the tight pack and no clear lines, that forced some riders into the pits as they passed it for the first time shortly after the start.

Pre-race favorite and the number-one ranked UCI Junior Men’s rider Jens Dekker took the win going away, finishing clear of second place finisher Thomas Pidcock and third place rider Thijs Wolsink of The Netherlands. American Gage Hecht took fourth

We’re continuing our look at what we found to be the more memorable moments from the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships, and today we’re looking back to the future at the youngest Junior races.

We’re looking at another bike from the 2016 Cyclocross National Championship. This one is Tim Allen’s silver-medal winning custom steel Alchemy singlespeed.

Continuing our look at some of what we thought were the more memorable moments from the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships and the people and events struck us as having an impact on the event, today we’re looking at the Women’s and Mens’ Elite races.

This week we’re taking a look back at Jeremy Power’s first USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship win. It was 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin where Powers earned his first Stars and Stripes jersey. Take a break from work and relive the race.

Ok, maybe not too soon or too near you, but the trailer for de Mensen’s “Sven Nys, The Last Year” is out and Sven himself …

We’re sharing some of what we thought were the more memorable moments, people and events from the 2016 National Championships that struck us as having a real impact on the event. Today, we’re looking at two great rides from two younger stars of the sport, Sofia Gomez Villafane and Tobin Ortenblad.

It seems that there are more changes afoot for Team USA’s Women’s U23 squad for the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Zolder at the end of the month.

Over the next few days we’re looking at the people, events or situations that struck us as having an impact on the 2016 Cyclocross National Championships. Today, we’re looking at 2016 Nationals MVP Georgia Gould.

Looking back at Nationals there were many great moments. Not everyone experienced a championship-winning ride, but nearly everyone we spoke with enjoyed Asheville. We’re sharing some memorable moments from the course at the Biltmore Estate.

In our ever-growing collection of 2016 Nationals bikes, we take a look at the bike that took Compton to her 12th title in as many years, similar to the bike she rode last year in Austin. A close inspection reveals a few changes from last year.

While many racers today opt for carbon offerings, the Alpha Bicycle Co-Vista Subaru squad races aboard the well-known titanium offerings from Moots in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Katie Clouse rode the company’s Psyhclo X model to the win in Asheville last week.

Jeremy Powers made it three in a row today as he repeated as National Champion in the Men’s Elite field. It was a battle of wills between Powers, Stephen Hyde and the newcomer to the Elite field at Nationals, Logan Owen.

Tobin Ortenblad (Cal-Giant Specialized) and Curtis White (Cannondale Cyclocrossworld) battled to the end with Ortenblad finally able to distance his rival and take his first National Championship title.

Mirroring the new combined Women’s Youth field the UCI implemented for this year’s World Championships, the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship race featured a combined field race with titles on the line for women age 19-22, as well as 17-18.

Belly laughs, belly aches and at least one racer dressed as a bunny. The Donut Race at the Cyclocross National Championships was a fun-filled affair for a good cause. And while there were smiles all around, the race didn’t have any sprinkels, but did have some controversy.

David Thompson (CT Cycling Advancement Program) convincingly took the Cyclocross National Championship title in the Junior Men’s 9-10 race. “I always wanted this victory. I’ve been training for a couple of weeks. I knew I could get it and I just went as hard as I could.”

On the start grid there were 152 riders vying for the Single Speed title. With various equipment set-ups and gear ratios, they set off in the afternoon sun and spun up the paved start-finsih straight in a whirlwind of high rpms.

As day broke it was clear that the course racers faced over the first three days of the 2016 National Championships would be nowhere to be found. A light but steady overnight rain had fallen and greasy mud replaced what was primarily dirt and dust for the first race of the day.

In the biggest field of the day, and perhaps the week, some of the most well-known names in Men’s Masters racing took to the start at a chance to be the 45-49 National Champion.

Coming from a second to last call-up, Melinda McCutcheon (Canyon Bicycles-Shimano) took the race by the horns before the first pass through the barn and climb up Ingles Heckle Hill and never looked back.

The last race of the day saw the combined Master Women’s 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75+ fields take to the course. The women in the field fought good battles, had tumbles and raced their way on to the late afternoon podium.

The racing was hot and the temperature warm for the Master Women’s 50-54 Championship race. Short sleeves were in abundance as Karen Brems (SunPower Racing) took the victory ahead of Laura Trace (Team Oregon p/b Laurelwood Brewing Co.).

In a heated battle for the front of the race, Melissa Barker (Evol Elite Racing) overcame a late-race crash to take the win just ahead of Sally Annis (Pedal Power Team-MA) and Christina Gokey-Smith (Dallas Bike Works CX).

In a reversal from last year’s second place finish, Jacob Lasley (SPCX p/b R. K. Black), took the win in the Men’s 35-39 Championship race at the Biltmore Estate earlier this morning ahead of Matt Shriver (Trek Cyclocrosss Collective).

The last race of the day saw 9 riders on the start line. Seven were there to contest the Men’s 70-74 race, while the other two were riding for the honor of wear the National Champion’s jersey in the 75-79 and 80+ fields, respectively.

As the sun continued to warm the course, Jay Trojan (Arc En Ciel Racing Team) basked in the warmth of the cheering crowd as he took the win the Men’s 55-59 National Championship Race.

Up and over Ingles Heckle Hill and Wittwer was on the front and with the effort had strung out the leaders with Pearson and Bannister giving chase but not gaining. Wittwer never let up after that.