By any measure, Telenet-Fidea’s Bart Wellens’ first U.S. cyclocross campaign has been a success, with three victories in five races, one second place, and one late-race attack in CrossVegas that nearly netted him the victory. Wellens leaves the States with a pile of 2011 UCI points to bring home, and leaves behind a slew of new American fans who were delighted to see one of Belgium’s best make the trip across the pond.

Bart Wellens' Ridley X-Night cyclocross bike, with SRAM Red and SRM, as ridden at CrossVegas 2011. © Cyclocross Magazine

Bart Wellens' Ridley X-Night cyclocross bike features a carbon 4ZA integrated stem and bar, and Power Control computer that bluntly tells Wellens exactly how to recover . © Cyclocross Magazine

Bart Wellens used a SRM-equipped crankset on his Ridley X-Night to record his early-season power numbers. © Cyclocross Magazine
Another unique feature on Wellens’ Ridley X-Night at CrossVegas was the discontinued 38mm Ritchey WCS Carbon Tubular wheelset. Wellens and the rest of the team typically race on Ridley’s housebrand of 4zA carbon wheels, but the borrowed Ritchey wheelset filled in nicely during CrossVegas. By the time the USGP’s Planet Bike Cup muddy Day 2 had arrived, Wellens was riding Reynolds wheels, freshly wrapped with brand new Challenge Limus tubulars.
Although they’re reconfigurable to a wide-profile, high-clearance setting, Wellens left his Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes on the low-profile setting even for the muddy conditions of the second day at the Sun Prairie USGP, and counted on his pit crew to keep the wheels rolling smoothly as he rode to a commanding victory at the Planet Bike Cup Day 2.
View all our Interbike 2011, Outdoor Demo and CrossVegas tech coverage here.
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