I apologize for the gap of a day, but we’re back and rolling. Updates for this week: Our weekly Marianne Vos update, North Americans polar opposites in Offenburg, Suspended sentence for Roodhooft, and much more!
The Marianne Vos Train Keeps On Rolling
Marianne Vos, current World Cyclocross Champion has been having arguably the best season of any cyclist on the planet this season, and kept up her torrid pace in last weekend’s Omloop van Borsele in The Netherlands. While Vos could not add to her impressive tally of victories on the season, she did snag another medal to add to her growing collection, taking home second in a sprint finish. The DSB Bank rider was second to Cervelo Test Team’s Kristin Wild. Vos was part of the day’s winning 18 woman lead group, who managed to amass 2:11 over the rest of the field. Vos has had a large amount of success at the Omloop van Borsele, winning the race on three previous occasions, winning every year between 2005 and 2007.
Just before press time, word came in that Vos had also managed to hold off all competition in Štramberk, Czech Republic in the first stage of the Garcia – Orlová stage race which runs until Sunday, May 3. Vos broke away by 6 second ahead of second place Trixi Worrack and 8 seconds ahead of bronze medalist Fabiana Luperini. Vos holds the leaders jersey and the sprint points jersey headed into tomorrow’s second stage, a 125.8 kilometer affair that departs from and returns to the town of Lichnov.
North American Cyclocross heads to Offenburg, Germany for Mountain Bike World Cup
It was a mixed day for the nation’s cyclocrossers at the elite cross country event at the Offenburg World Cup. Canadian Cyclocross Champion Geoff Kabush headlined the North American attack, keeping up his hot season form, taking home 9th on the day. Kabush managed to out-kick Nino Schurter at the line to take home 9th, 2:57 behind winner Julien Absalon. American cyclocross regular Adam Craig was not far behind the Canadian, finishing a strong 14th. The day was not so kind to former American Cyclocross Champion Todd Wells who suffered a flat on lap 4 out of 7, after riding with the group of riders chasing down Absalon. After using all of his repair supplies, and not being able to solve his issues, Wells called it a day. Sooner or later, things will turn around for Wells and don’t be surprised to see him on a World Cup podium in the near future.
Former Italian National Champion Marco Aurelio Fontana was also at the World Cup in Offenburg and was just ahead of Kabush when he hit the line in 8th, 2:34 behind Absalon.
Georgia Gould was the lone American cyclocross representative at the Women’s Elite race in Offenburg. Despite a less than enviable starting position – smack in the middle of the 4th row – Gould fought her way up through the masses, eventually taking home a solid 12th place finish, 4:56 behind winner Chengyuan Ren. According to Gould, she came through the line after a 3 minute prologue loop in about 58th position, but proceeded to pick her way through the competition all the way up to 12th place. With a better starting spot beginning to materialize, we should see Gould near the top 5 in weeks to come. We can now all look ahead to this weekend’s action in Houffalize, Belgium. Italian National Cyclocross Champion Eva Lechner was the best place cyclocrosser, taking home 7th place.
Christophe Roodhooft Found Guilty, Handed Suspended Sentence
Christophe Roodhooft, manager of reigning World Cyclocross Champion Niels Albert, was found guilty this week of possession of the drug DHEA by a jury in Turnhout, Belgium. DHEA is the same drug Tyler Hamilton tested positive for earlier this year. Despite the guilty finding, Roodhooft was given a three year suspended sentence as his punishment. In February, 2006, Roodhooft was the subject of a raid in which he was found in possession of DHEA, a drug with performance enhancing effects. Despite his links to Albert, the World Champ has no part in the case and is free of suspicion.
Lars Boom Ready To Hit the ProTour Ranks
Lars Boom makes his highly anticipated debut in the Rabobank ProTour squad this weekend at the Eschborn – Frankfurt City Loop. Boom has been training at full capacity ahead of his first major league race, and recently was seen doing the Klimmen – Banneux – Klimmen Leisure Tour, a 130 kilometer leisure ride that tackled many challenging hills. The current Dutch National Cyclocross Champion was seen with former Dutch ‘Cross Champ Daphny Van den Brand as company.
Adam Craig to Vail’s Teva Mountain Games
Adam Craig will headline the 2009 Teva Mountain Games, held between June 4th and 7th in Vail Colorado. Craig will compete for the title in the cross country event, which was won in 2008 by current Cyclocross National Champion Ryan Trebon. Vail could play host to quite the showdown if Trebon decides to come back and defend his title.
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 #6. Installment #5 is here. Got something worth reporting? Let us know.
