Wildhaber Dominates, Alvarado Gets Her Wish at Qiansen Trophy Station #2, Fengtai Changxindian, China

by Ricoh Riott

Beijing suburb Fengtai Changxindian hosted the second station of the 2016 Qiansen Trophy UCI C1 cyclocross races on a technical and varied course. With a location close to the city, the event enjoyed a good number of enthusiastic spectators and again high temperatures were a concern for racers, especially those more accustomed to racing in the depths of winter. As the eventual men’s winner would tell Cyclocross Magazine after the race “It was hot, you had always to drink a bit, to try to drink, but it was also not easy here on this course.”

Fengtai Changxindian’s location close to the heart of Beijing drew good crowds, with some spectators fluffier than others.

Proving that no challenge is insurmountable Marcel Wildhaber (Scott- Odlo Mtb Racing, Switzerland) and Ceylin Alvarado (Kleur Op Maat – No Drugs, Netherlands) both won their respective races in style with impressive early breakaways, but not without some resistance from other would-be trophy holders.

Alvarado Avoids Late-Race Drama, Kachorek Piles Up UCI Points

The Women’s Elite race found the course even drier and considerably trickier than it had been in previous days, with the earlier amateur races cutting up many of the corners and turning previously hardpacked turns onto slippery dust bowls. Bianca Van den Hoek (Rijwielpaleis Bilthoven-Mtb Licht Verzat, Netherlands) repeated her holeshot trick from Yanqing by a nose, but this time she had close company with Ceylin Alvarado and Melissa Anset (Flanders Australia, Australia) forming a trio, racing side by side up the ramp and onto the dirt.

Perhaps learning a lesson about late attacks earlier in the week, Alvarado struck almost immediately and earned herself a lead as the short climb reached its peak, handling the loose downhill well and growing her advantage as she attacked the second climb.

Ceylin Alvarado rode the technical course at Fengtai Changxindian clean with no major mistakes.

Behind her, both Naomi Williams (JBlood Adventures, Australia) and Emily Kachorek (Squid Bikes, USA) had improved their positions and formed a chase group of three with Van den Hoek for the next lap. Only Kachorek moved to bridge the gap to Alvarado, pulling away between the two climbs.

Williams, Van den Hoek and Kachorek chase the lead at Fengtai Changxindian

The leader seemed comfortable and held her gap until the final lap where she appeared visibly tired, allowing Kachorek to begin making up time, but it was too little too late and Alvarado celebrated her first UCI C1 win.

A flat tire set back Kathryn Cumming’s chances of joining in on the chase at the Qiansen Trophy 2016 second station.

The chase group were very nearly joined by Katheryn Cumming (Jalapeno Cycling, USA) until a puncture sent her running to the pits and slipping back to a 9th place finish.

Qiansen Trophy 2016 Fengtai Changxindian Station Women’s Podium: 1. Ceylin Alvarado (Kleur Op Maat – No Drugs, Netherlands )2. Emily Kachorek (Squid Bikes, USA) 3. Bianca Van den Hoek (Rijwielpaleis Bilthoven-Mtb Licht Verzat, Netherlands)

Emily Kachorek now is tied for the most UCI points of this 2016/2017 season, and leads all Americans in this category.

Wildhaber Upsets Belgians, Jongewaard Shows Off the Jersey

Soon the men lined up in sweltering Beijing summer heat, with minimal shade available on the Fengtai Changxindian course. The short starting straight left no room for hesitation and Chris Jongewaard (JBlood Adventures, Australia) didn’t hold back, scoring the holeshot and holding his advantage of a bike length up the ramp, under the flyover and around the first climb.

Jongewaard leads up the first climb in Fengtai Changxindian. Behind him, Marcel Wildhaber has other ideas…

As the rest of the field fell away only Marcel Wildhaber was strong enough to follow, slowly gaining on the Australian National Champion and shadowing him around the second climb. Behind them teammates Jens Adams (Crelan – Vastgoedservice, Belgium) and Rob Peeters (Crelan – Vastgoedservice, Belgium) formed another tight pairing, maintaining a steady gap of 10 seconds behind the leaders.

As the second lap began, Wildhaber saw his opportunity, slipping past Jongewaard into first position and leading him down the first descent and over the double staircase. The pair stayed close for another two laps, but the Swiss rider was too strong and gradually a gap developed down the second descent and through the zigzags.

Throughout the race at Fengtai Changxindian Wildhaber wore a distinctive grin – or is that a grimace?

Jongewaard rode well but would never quite catch the eventual winner, improving on his earlier Qiansen result with a solid second place. Meanwhile Adams held his position for third step as Yanqing Station winner Peeters slipped back in the field, with any injuries the former had sustained in his nasty bell lap crash on Wednesday clearly not affecting his performance.

Qiansen Trophy 2016 Fengtai Changxindian Station Men’s Podium: 1. Marcel Wildhaber (Scott- Odlo Mtb Racing, Switzerland), 2. Chris Jongewaard (JBlood Adventures, Australia), 3. Jens Adams (Crelan – Vastgoedservice, Belgium)

Eric Thompson (HED Cycling P/B Molten Speed Wax, USA) and Sam O’Keefe (Jakroo, USA) rolled over the line in 9th and 10th place respectively as the first US riders in a truly international field.

After spending a week together, sharing meals, sightseeing and training and riding together, the 2016 Qiansen Trophy cyclocross week ended with a big celebration:

Full photo gallery below the results.

2016 Qiansen Trophy Race #2 UCI Cyclocross Results - Women - Fengtai Changxindian

2016 Qiansen Trophy Race #2 UCI Cyclocross Results - Men - Fengtai Changxindian

2016 Qiansen Trophy Cyclocross Race #2 – Fengtai Changxindian Photo Gallery: