In the lead up to the World Championships this weekend in Tabor, Czech Republic, there have been some technology changes that the UCI has imposed to make riders’ lives a bit more difficult, Americans head to the World Championships a week early, but still come home with some medals, and some late-season transfer rumors begin to swirl.
Americans Fare Well at Master’s World Championships
American riders who headed over to Mol, Belgium, for the Masters World Championships last weekend came back with an impressive medal haul, claiming one gold medal, one silver medal, and one bronze medal. The big winner on the day was Marilyn Ruseckas, the current Women’s 50-54 National Champion, who won the Women’s 50+ World Championships. Kevin Hines, also a 50-54 age group National Champion, finished up the Men’s 50+ event in second place after leading for a good portion of the race. The final podium position for America went to Johnny Bold, the current men’s 45-49 National Champion, finished up his day in third despite starting on the race’s last row!
UCI Bans Studded Tires in Time for World Championships
Many across the globe expect this weekend’s UCI Cyclocross World Championships to be an icy, snowy affair. Engineers at famed tired producers Dugast have been hard at work developing a tire that would be at its best in conditions that should present themselves in Tabor, incorporating small studs into the tire’s treads to provide increased grip. The new tire, the Dugast Diablo, was reportedly in the testing phase under current Belgian national champion Sven Nys at icy races earlier in the year, but the UCI has stepped in and outlawed the use of the Diablo and other similar tires at this weekend’s Championships. Despite the implications that the new tires would have on rider safety, the UCI no doubt considered the equipment to give Dugast sponsored riders an unfair advantage and swiftly leveled the playing field. The move is somewhat unfortunate, as preliminary reports suggest that the results of Nys’ testing were excellent.
Tim Van Nuffel Bosch Leaves Rendementhypo
Tim Van Nuffel, who spent some time earlier this year on tour in the United States, has left Swiss cyclocross team Rendementhypo. Van Nuffel rode this season with Swiss champion Christian Heule and accompanied him on his trip to the West Coast, most notably taking part in September’s Cross Vegas, where he finished the day in 25th. Van Nuffel’s time with Rendementhypo, where he rode with an Elite-Without-Contract, will end in March, when he will turn his focus to the road, with his current road team, Van Goethem – Prorace. If Van Nuffel does not find any suitors for the cyclocross season, Van Goethem – Prorace may profit from having a rider in the professional cyclocross peloton.
Support North America’s World Championship Athletes this Weekend
Don’t forget to support America’s riders heading to the World Championships this weekend. The full teams are as follows:
USA Elite Men: Jamey Driscoll (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Tim Johnson* (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Jonathan Page (Planet Bike), Jeremy Powers (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Ryan Trebon (Kona)
USA Elite Women: Maureen Bruno-Roy (MM Racing p/b Seven Cycles), Katie Compton* (Planet Bike), Amy Dombroski (Luna), Meredith Miller (Cal Giant Berry Farms / Specialized), Laura Van Gilder (C3 – Athletes Serving Athletes
USA Espoirs: Dave Hackworthy (Team Plan C), Luke Keough (Champion System), Zach McDonald (Stevens), Danny Summerhill* (Felt – Holowesko Partners – Garmin), Jerome Townsend (Bikereg.com/Joe’s Garage/IF)
USA Juniors: Jeff Bahnson (Thule/Van Dessel), Cody Kaiser* (Cal Giant Berry Farms / Specialized), Matt Spinks (Team Plan C), Skyler Trujillo (Team Black Sheep), Chris Wallace (KCCX/Verge)
Canada Elite Women: Vicki Thomas (Ottawa Cross)
Canada Espoirs: Jared Stafford (Bikesports Racing)
Canada Juniors: Kris Dahl* (CMC/Bow Cycle), Kiernan Orange (Ride with Rendall), Conor O’Brien (Specialized-EMD Serono), Mackenzie Carson (Juventus)
* Denotes National Champion
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 #34. Installment #33 is here. Got something worth reporting? Let us know!
