After a week where almost nothing happened to the champions of cyclocross, we’re back with a week chock full of action from around the globe. European road were crowned, mountain bikers flocked to British Columbia to strut their stuff, an amazing three-peat in California, and much more.
Vos, Ferrier-Bruneau Crowned National Road Champions
World Champion Marianne Vos was not the only one winning their home country’s national road championship over the past weekend. Christel Ferrier-Bruneau was also hard at work in France, taking home the women’s road race title. Ferrier-Bruneau was three seconds ahead of second placed Marina Jaunatre and five seconds ahead of Jeannie Longo Cipreli who took third.
Kevin Pauwels was the top finisher in the Belgian National Championships Road Race over the weekend, finishing the day just inside the top ten, with a 9th place finish. Behind Pauwels, his Fidea teammate Bart Wellens was the next highest finisher, nabbing 27th place, ahead of Tom Meeusen in 46th. Revor’s Erwin Vervecken was 51st, with Sven Vanthourenhout in 54th and Rob Peeters in 57th. Sven Nys missed the start with the flu, while Niels Albert did not finish on the day.
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BC Bike Race Kicks Off, With Cyclocross at the Front
Many of cyclocross’ elite riders were on hand to contest the BC Bike Race taking place in British Columbia. Through three stages, the team of Barry Wicks and Kris Sneddon sit a close 1:15 off the lead of the race, placing them in 2nd in the men’s duo category. Wicks and Sneddon rode to a strong stage two victory, to close the gap on leaders Seamus McGrath and Chris Sheppard. Wicks and Sneddon are the defending champions of the race, and are hoping to close the gap and overtake the leading duo by the end of the race. Stage three saw Wicks and Sneddon miss out on the win by a slim one second, followed by Matt Shriver and Ben Sonntag a further 48 seconds back.
In the women’s duo category, Katerina Nash and teammate Catherine Prendrel lead the overall standings by more than 17 minutes, following three straight stage wins. The cyclocross dream team of Ryan Trebon and Georgia Gould are handily leading the mixed duo category after three stages, also with three straight stage victories to their name.
Sanne Cant On Top at Benelux Cup #2
Sanne Cant, the current Belgian National Vice-Champion, came out on top at the second stop on the Benelux Cup circuit, in Habay-le-Neuve, Belgium. Cant beat a strong field of riders by 1:03 to take home the victory. Also taking the start line was current Belgian National Champion Joyce Vanderbeken, who crossed the line in fourth and Daphny Van den Brand, who finished the day in 6th. Reza Hormes was also on hand to take home 17th place.
On the men’s side, the top cyclocross finisher was Dutchman Gerben de Knegt, who took home the bronze medal on the day.
Coryn Rivera Nabs Third Manhattan Beach GP
At only 17 years old, 21 time national champion, and current Junior Women’s Cyclocross National Champion, Coryn Rivera took home her third straight Manhattan Beach GP victory in the elite women’s race. The men’s race was won by Rock Racing’s Rashaan Bahati. Rivera timed her final sprint to perfection, outkicking the rest of the field to the line. Despite her junior gearing, Rivera was able to jump from fourth place in the group and hold off the field for the victory.
Wondering what your favorite mudders have been up to? Doing your homework so you can win Cyclocross Magazine’s fantasy cyclocross league next season? We’ve got you covered with our new, weekly report on your favorite top ‘crossers. Each week Jake Sisson will bring you the latest news, gossip, and maybe even a tweet or two on the pro scene. This is installment #14. Installment #13 is here. Got something worth reporting? Let us know!
