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Teams Wrangle over Stybar, Pauwels
March 16th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Stybar leads teammate Pauwels in Asper - Gavere. © Dan Seaton
Newly-crowned world champ Zdeněk Štybar and his teammate Kevin Pauwels are at the center of a great deal of speculation and wooing, despite their contractual obligations to their current Telenet – Fidea team until 2011. Štybar openly admitted on his website a few weeks ago that Štybar he is in negotiations for a contract for next year, stating that he had offers from his current Telenet – Fidea squad as well as Lanbouwkrediet, Sunweb – Revor Agricole and Quick Step. According to Belgian website Sport.be, Sunweb has also aggressively pursued Pauwels, who had a breakthrough win at this year’s World Cup in Zolder.
As Telenet – Fidea Hans Van Kasteren told Gazet van Antwerpen, he’s none too happy that these teams are approaching his riders while they’re under contract. …continue reading: Teams Wrangle over Stybar, Pauwels
Kacper Szczepaniak Attempts Suicide
March 15th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
The U23 podium in Tabor © Bart Hazen
Kacper Szczepaniak, the young Polish rider who placed second in the U23 World Championships in Tabor and subsequently tested positive for EPO, tried to kill himself. His brother Pawel, who won the event and also tested positive for EPO, confirmed the news and reported to Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws that it was their father who intervened. …continue reading: Kacper Szczepaniak Attempts Suicide
2010-2011 UCI World Cup Cyclocross Calendar
March 14th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
The 2009-2010 cyclocross season saw a record number of fans, including millions watching on TV in Europe and throughout the world. As top racers contemplate their race schedules for next season, most of us regular folks look to our local races for competition but dream of the storied courses of the UCI World Cup. The 2010-2011 UCI World Cup schedule has been released by the UCI, with the races beginning in October and the series finale taking place one week before the 2011 World Championships in St. Wendel, Germany on January 29-30, 2011. …continue reading: 2010-2011 UCI World Cup Cyclocross Calendar
Reactions to Szczepaniak Brothers’ Positive Doping Tests
March 13th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, editorial
Arnaud Jouffroy, here claiming the top step in Lille, may soon be the World U23 champ as well. © Bart Hazen
Cyclocross continues to be at the center of lots of hub-bub in cycling news outlets, and is the focus of a good deal of online chatter. Unfortunately the story that’s creating all the stir continues to be the positive EPO test readings for Polish brothers Pawel and Kacper Szczepaniak, the top two finishers in the U23 World Championship race in Tabor, Czech Republic.
The main take-away from the story, of course, is a negative one. Not only has doping now tainted the most prestigious cyclocross event of the year, but it was perpetrated by a 19 and 20 year-old. Somehow, I instantly was struck by upsides as well – for one thing, the cheaters were caught. For another, the guys who were doping achieved a clear performance benefit over the rest of the field. There’s a definite blind leap here, but maybe this means the other top riders are clean? I’d like to think so. …continue reading: Reactions to Szczepaniak Brothers’ Positive Doping Tests
Change in Colorado: Bill Peterson Becomes President of USA Cycling Board of Directors
March 12th, 2010 Filed Under press releases
Bill Peterson replaces Mark Abramson as president of the USA Cycling Board of Directors. Abramson previously led Collegiate cycling but had a soft spot for ‘cross, winning the Sandbagger title at the Cyclocross National Championship in Baltimore, MD. Peterson comes to the position with a background of working with USPRO, Tour of California and the NFL. Will Peterson help take American cyclocross to the level of the Tour of California and the NFL, or will he focus on USPRO road cycling? Full press release below.
Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 11, 2010) —The USA Cycling Board of Directors elected Bill Peterson as president at its biannual meeting, Wednesday in Colorado Springs. The board of directors of the national governing body for the sport of competitive cycling in the United States also re-elected three additional officers.
Peterson takes office immediately and replaces Mark Abramson, who served a two-year term …continue reading: Change in Colorado: Bill Peterson Becomes President of USA Cycling Board of Directors
Szczepaniak Brothers Positive for EPO at World Championships – Updated
March 11th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
The U23 podium in Tabor, with Kacper and Pawel Szczepaniak, Arnaud Jouffroy © Bart Hazen
The Polish brothers Kacper and Pawel Szczepaniak were found to be positive for EPO at the UCI World Cyclocross Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic on January 31. Pawel, 20, came away with the Espoir World Championship title, winning with a 20 second gap over the younger Kacper, 19, in second place. Pending a review and confirmation of the tests, the brothers may be stripped of their medals, which would move France’s Arnaud Jouffroy into the gold medal position, Belgium’s Tom Meeusen into second, and Poland’s Marek Konwa into third. …continue reading: Szczepaniak Brothers Positive for EPO at World Championships – Updated
Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings – March 11, 2010
March 11th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, euro-file
While the glow of the 2010 cyclocross season has not yet faded, most of cyclocross’ elite have settled into their off-season road careers. None have settled in faster than Lars Boom, who achieved a major milestone in his road career at the Paris-Nice stage race. Jesse Anthony, too, has found his feet on the road scene after some bad luck in the last cyclocross season. Meanwhile, Erwin Vervecken and Tim Johnson have been doing some great work off the bike.
Lars Boom Wears Paris-Nice Yellow Jersey
Former Cyclocross World Champion Lars Boom showed off this weekend why he is also a former Dutch Road Race and Time Trial National Champion in this week’s French eight day stage race, Paris-Nice. The race, affectionately known as the Race to the Sun, for its tendency to start in less than desirable conditions and ride to more favorable weather, started on Sunday with an eight kilometer prologue time trial. Boom bested some of the world’s best time trialists – such as Astana’s double Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, American Levi Leipheimer, British prologue specialists Bradley Wiggins and David Millar, and a host of other champions – en route to the prologue victory. Thanks to his victory, Boom donned the yellow leader’s jersey, the green sprinter’s jersey, the polka-dotted climber’s jersey and the white young rider’s jersey. …continue reading: Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings – March 11, 2010
Cuidado! Chicago Cyclocross Cup 2009 Highlight Video
March 10th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Tamara Fraser takes the (cup) cake © Luke Seeman, chicagobikeracing.com
OK, I might be spoiled by the super-vibrant Portland ‘cross scene, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the more “buttoned-up” racing in New England, have played in the New Mexican high-alpine cyclocross desert and even visited some of the burgeoning southeast’s races – but clearly it’s time that I plan a swing through Chicago this coming fall. And if this highlight video is to be believed, it doesn’t even look cold. Or windy. Just sandy, energetic and fun! …continue reading: Cuidado! Chicago Cyclocross Cup 2009 Highlight Video
Stybar Celebrates “Dream Season” in Czech Republic
March 8th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
World Champion Zdenek Stybar carves through the sand in Oostmalle. © Bart Hazen
After what Zdeněk Štybar describes as a “dream season,” he finally had the chance to head back to the Czech Republic to revel in his accomplishments on Thursday. “I wanted to celebrate with my fans after the (World Championship) race in Tabor, but I had to fly to Belgium with team sponsors,” said Štybar. Now that the long cylocross season has wound down, Štybar finally made the return to his hometown of Stribro, where his father had planned the celebratory bash. …continue reading: Stybar Celebrates “Dream Season” in Czech Republic
Next Season’s Inspiration from Cyclocross Masters Video – What Will Promoters Try Next?
March 7th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, video
Jumps spiced up the indoor, season-ending Cyclocross Masters race
by Jamie Mack
As most of us enter the off-season, there is a very important segment of our community that doesn’t get much time for the well-deserved rest. While most of us are contemplating how much weight we can gain or trainer sessions we can skip, there is another group already shoulder-deep in next season. Organizers and promoters, without whom nobody can race, are already dealing with logistical and organizational problems for races that are months away. …continue reading: Next Season’s Inspiration from Cyclocross Masters Video – What Will Promoters Try Next?
Preparations Underway for the Fourth Edition of CrossVegas
March 6th, 2010 Filed Under press releases
While the international cyclocross season winds to a close in Belgium, planning for the largest ‘cross race in North America is at full speed. CrossVegas 2010, the highlight of the early season cross scene, is scheduled for Wednesday evening, September 22nd, in Las Vegas. …continue reading: Preparations Underway for the Fourth Edition of CrossVegas
SpectaCross Gets Funny with Categories and Registration
March 5th, 2010 Filed Under press releases
Conshohocken, PA: Controversy struck the opening day of registration for next summer’s New Jersey State Fair SpectaCross. As always, SpectaCross is organized differently to take advantage of the Fair’s schedule and to give racers more track time with races such as the Cyclocross Magazine Friday Night Sprints and the Garden State Open presented by SpectaSport Digital Chip Timing. One of the races on the program, the BikeClicks.com Classy “Class(sic)” consists of classes not normally found in bike races, and which are primarily suggested by racers themselves. Classes such as “Diabetics”, “Military Vets”, and “Red Sox Nation” are part of the race that’s a small part of the overall New Jersey State Fair SpectaCross program taking place on August 6-7. …continue reading: SpectaCross Gets Funny with Categories and Registration
2010 North American Handmade Bicycle Show – A Conversation With Zanc
March 3rd, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
With over ten years since he built his first frame, a cross frame naturally, Mike Zanconato has already established himself among the top builders at the NAHBS. Focused on building with steel, Zanc has developed a reputation for style and quality and works to ensure that a rider has substantial input into each frame that his shop turns out. After recently reestablishing his shop in a renovated mill building, Zanc was at the NAHBS to show off the latest and greatest that his shop is producing. Bill Schieken of In the CXHairs took some time out from his booth-hopping to discuss frames, canti’s instead of mini V’s and building the best ‘cross bikes.
Mike Zanconato at NAHBS 2010 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.
2010 Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show – In the CXHairs Checks in From Richmond
March 2nd, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Richard Sachs' personal rides featured classic lines and the detritus from the last race of the season. © Bill Schieken/www.cxhairs.com
The 2010 Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show took place February 26-28 in Richmond, Virginia. The event shared the Greater Richmond Convention Center with the Virginia Wine Expo. At first glance, you may think it would be easy for volunteers greeting attendees to suss out the framebuilding groupies from the vintner groupies, but the array of NAHBS attendees, from beard-rocker to straight-laced professional, is a testament to the growing popularity of the show. Starting in 2005, the NAHBS has gone from 23 exhibitors and 700 attendees to 150 exhibitors and over 7000 attendees. …continue reading: 2010 Shimano North American Handmade Bicycle Show – In the CXHairs Checks in From Richmond
The Olympics Effect: USA Cycling Starts Women’s Youth BMX Development Program
March 1st, 2010 Filed Under press releases
With all the recent discussion of cyclocross in the winter Olympics, today’s announcement by USA Cycling reminds us of one major benefit in becoming an Olympic sport: increased funding from the governing body.
“The United States has a large, undeveloped pool of 14 to 18-year-old female riders who are internationally capable. The objective of the BMX Women’s Development Program is to move athletes from grassroots racing onto international podiums, thus maximizing the United States’ UCI Nations Ranking and gaining the maximum start spots for American women at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”
Could such a statement apply to our young cyclocross athletes?
USA Cycling Unveils New BMX Women’s Development Program
Colorado Springs, Colo. (March 1, 2010) – USA Cycling is pleased to announce a new BMX Women’s Development Program, as well as the hiring of Dwight Training, Pty Ltd., which is led by Sean Dwight, to oversee the new program’s coaching activities.
The United States has a large, undeveloped pool of 14 to 18-year-old female riders who are internationally capable. The objective of the BMX Women’s Development Program is to move athletes from grassroots racing onto international podiums, thus maximizing the United States’ UCI Nations Ranking …continue reading: The Olympics Effect: USA Cycling Starts Women’s Youth BMX Development Program
Erwin Vervecken Bolt Uit – Retirement Ride and Party
March 1st, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Vervecken has hung up the bike for the final time. © Jonas Bruffaerts
Erwin Finally Hangs the Bike up for Good in his Hometown of Herentals
It was the third but last time this week that three-time world champion Erwin Vervecken hung up his bike for good. But first he went for a “Sunday stroll” around the park with 750 of his friends. …continue reading: Erwin Vervecken Bolt Uit – Retirement Ride and Party
Masters of the (Cyclocross) Universe – UPDATED: More Photos
February 25th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Jonathan Page enjoyed the evening. © Bart Hazen
by Dan Seaton
Hasselt, Belgium – Let’s be honest here: cyclocross is a circus. Sure, the thousands of fans who turn out every week come to see a bike race, but they also come to rub shoulders with their heroes, eat frites, drink and dance in the beer tents, collect the freebies that the sponsors hand out, and just take in the scene. So perhaps its fitting that European ‘cross wraps up its season by moving indoors and putting on the biggest, most ridiculous show of the year. …continue reading: Masters of the (Cyclocross) Universe – UPDATED: More Photos
Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings – February 24, 2009
February 24th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news, euro-file
As the cyclocross season drew its final curtain, a number of riders will find their way to new homes when the curtain rises on the 2010-2011 season. Amongst them are Dutchman Stef Boden, Czech Martin Zlamalik, and the three Sweeck brothers. Also, a major contract has been signed that will better your cyclocross viewing experience!
Sweeck Brothers Head to KDL-Trans
The Belgian junior trio of Laurens, Dieter and Hendrick Sweeck have each had strong seasons, with Laurens and Dieter both having strong years in their first crack at the junior ranks. …continue reading: Pro Cyclocross Rumors and Rumblings – February 24, 2009
Video: Sven Nys Pre-riding the Indoor Course in Hasselt
February 24th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Pro cyclocross takes to the night and indoors this evening in Hasselt, Belgium. The race features logs, sand, jumps, ramps and steep climbs in a made-for-spectating course. Sven Nys is filmed checking out the course in this sport.be video. Stay tuned for a report from the racing!
Cyclocross in the Olympics? Line Up Behind Pole Dancing (and Learn)
February 24th, 2010 Filed Under cyclocross news
Pole dancers rally to build awareness and add their sport to the Olympics. © Cesar Aguilar
by Andrew Yee
A few days ago we alerted you of a petition by ‘cross fanatic Michael Fee to gather support for cyclocross in the Olympics. As of now, thanks in part to our post, the petition has 712 signatures in just a few days. Impressive, for sure, but that pales (blushes?) in comparison to the major effort by pole dancers to grab Olympic-season press and make their case for a typically stripper-dominated activity to be included in the summer Olympics.
It’s debatable whether a petition will capture the attention of the IOC, but if so, ‘crossers have their work cut out for them and can learn something from a group of steel tube lovers of a different kind. The pole dancers have created quite a PR machine, with an AP story about their campaign featured on Yahoo! Sports, MSNBC, and hundreds of local news TV broadcasts, new websites and newspapers. Some dancers claim they even have 150,000 signatures supporting their case. This one official petition doesn’t quite have that number, but still boasts five times the signatures that the cyclocross petition does.
It may all sound like a joke, but if you’re still reading, it’s actually an interesting case study on …continue reading: Cyclocross in the Olympics? Line Up Behind Pole Dancing (and Learn)
