Mud at the Marktcross.

Sven Nys getting dirty on his way to a 5th win at the Soudal Jaarmarktcross - photo credit: Photopress.be

Sven Nys thrives in bad weather. The uglier and muddier it is the more it suits his powerful riding style. It's his ability to win with his head or his legs that has made him the legend of cyclocross that he is. On fast and dry races where he may not be the fastest rider on the course at this stage of his career, he can out think his competition and be in the right place at the right time, but on days like today his unmatched skill and power shows and he often can ride through sections where everybody else has to portage. It's always so impressive to see him power through tire swallowing mud, leaving the competition behind in his tracks. At today's Soudal Jaarmarktcross he rolled in a solid 21 seconds ahead of a very impressive 19 year old Wout van Aert (Yet another talented Telenet-Fidea rider) in a very much deserved second placen - keep an eye out for this young one in the future. Rolling over in third was Rob Peeters (yes, another TF crewman) to make the podium an all Belgian affair (Surprise!). It was definitely a ride to remember on the Belgian "Day of remembrance" holiday (that's why they were racing on a Monday) and was yet another feather in the headress of a cap that Nys (Crelan KDL) has built for himself during his illustrious career. 

Watch the last lap footy here.

La beauté de l'acier

Here at La vie de la bicyclette, we believe that steel is the real deal. That there is no better material to translate the feel of the road through your body and deep into your soul. Are there lighter materials? Of course. Stiffer compounds? Undoubtedly, but there is arguably no substance that that connects you to the ground and consequently to the world like Steel. When I heard about the "Show of Steel Bicycles" taking place here in lovely Orange County on November 17th I have to admit I was stoked beyond belief. I don't know much about it other than it is sponsored by Torellifan.com, but what do you really need to know? There will be steel bicycles on display and it is free. It's from 12 to 4pm on Friday November 17th so you'll need to take off early from work...it just keeps getting better and better. 

See you there!

11.12.13 UPDATE: This show is actually this coming SUNDAY November 17th, not this Friday as I had erroneously reported above. Sorry for any confusion to my massive viewing audience.

De zonhoven veldrijden was schlect ass

Sven is back in the winners circle @ Zonhoven - Photo credit: Bart Hazen

Sven Nys is a hero in the world of veldrijden, or cyclocross as we call it here in the States. He is arguably the best cyclcross racer, or veldrijder in the history of the sport. His duels with the likes of Lars Boom, Neils Albert and Zdenek Stybar over the last 6 or so years are the stuff of legend. While they have all had their time in the sun, and in the world championship stripes, Nys was easily the most consistent of the group. He rides with a ferocity that belies his cunning. Tactically there are few better, and that is what allows him to continue winning the sports biggest races as he heads towards the tail end of his fourth decade. 

Todays race on the sandy slopes of Zonhoven in round 3 of the Superprestige series was a perfect example. An early flat and some heavy traffic meant he spent most of the race working his way up to the leaders. To be honest he didn't look to have much of an impact on the race whatsoever and Klaus Vontornout and Lars van der Haar applied heavy pressure at the front to insure that it stayed that way. As usual however, Nys did not panic and slowly picked his way back to the wheel of his long time foe Albert. by the time the last lap came up the two had caught on to the leaders and then launched a brutal counterattack. Van der haar was instantly unhitched but Vantornout was game and struck out behind Albert with Nys slyly hanging back. about a third of the way through he punched around Vantornout and bridged up to Albert who didn't stand a chance. On a slight left hand uphill turn he applied the final screws and went around his Belgian compatriot, led out the sprint and never looked back. The two would finish with the same time but there was no doubt that Nys was going to win. Even slipping a pedal could not change the outcome, the current world champ calmly reset and pulled away from the broken Albert who crossed the line with head down and arms straight completely spent. You can check out the last lap in all it's glory here:

Next up for the Superprestige is the Hamme-Zogge Bellokescross, which from what I can understand has something to do with beer as the winner is handed a large mug of the stout stuff to drink. Always a fast race, it nonetheless seems to calm things down after the frenetic experience of this weekends monumental races. 

Cobbles and 'Cross - a match made in heaven.

Rob Peeters (Telenet Fidea) works to crest the grassy side of the Koppenberg climb - Photo Credit: Photopress.be

The Koppenbergcross leg of the BPost Bank trofee cyclocross series is always a highlight of the European cyclocross season. Much like a win in a road cycling classic, a victory at the Koppenberg can make a Cyclocross specialists season a success all on it's own. - especially if you're from Belgium. Needless to say Belgian Tom Meeusen must be pleased tonight after capitalizing on all of the potential shown in his young career by taking his biggest win so far on the hills around Oudenaarde. He showed a finishing strength that we hadn't seen from him in the past and rode away from compatriot Kevin Pauwels to take the top step on a hotly contested final lap. Current Superprestige series leader Klaus Vantornout finished out the podium ahead of the German Philipp Walsleben in fourth and the World Champ Sven Nyes only 10 seconds back in fifth, no doubt a disappointment to the defending Koppenberg champion and winner of 8 of the last 9 editions. 

Although the BPost Bank trofee is the newest of the big CX series on the European calendar, it is arguably as important as any of the others. With races like the Koppenberg taking a back seat only to the World Championships and maybe few other events, it's a series to pay attention to as the season progresses. 

Take a look at some raw footy from Cyclocross Online here:

Oh - and Sunday follows this race up with the always epic Zonhoven Superprestige. A sandy beast of a course that always equals mayhem and provides some of the best racing and viewing of the year. Head over to Cyclingfans.com to check it out. 

And the women are still ripping as well...

This is not a photo of Katie at Tabor...it's actually from day one of Providence back in the good 'ol US of A. I just thought it was a nice pic - Photo credit: Meg McMahon

The American Ladies are holding up their end of the bargain. Katie Compton rode a flawless race in Tabor, Czech Republic and with the exception of some last lap mechanical hiccups she was in control for much (most) of the day. She finished a mere 6 seconds ahead of the Young-Telenet duo of Britain's Nikki Harris and home country rider Pavla Havlikova, but to be honest it never felt that close. 

Up next in 6th place for the stars and bars was the elder stateswomen of the team, Meredith Miller. Miller recently retired from road racing but is competing in at least one more cyclocross season and if today's result is any indication, is showing no reason to stop anytime soon. At the other end of the age spectrum, 21 year old Kaitlin Antonneau rolled over the line as the 3rd American in the top ten at ninth place. 

I would be remiss to not also mention the super multi-tasker from PA, Arley Kemmerer. At 28 years old she keeps herself busy as a practicing attorney and personal trainer during the day and then races cyclocross as a hobby for fun. It's a hobby that sees her regularly placing high in the top domestic races (e.g.: 10th place in the 2013 U.S. Nationals) as well as pulling in top 15 places in world cup races as she did yesterday. I think I need to re-evaluate my time usage. 

Hopefully the U.S. men can find their stride and start to compete internationally as well as the women are. 

Of course, the big Dutch elephant in the room is the fact that Le Cannibelle Marianne Vos chose not to contest the Tabor leg of the CXWC. Her domination on last weeks race shows that she is far and away the cream of the crop in the UCI women's world cup, but it does not take away from the great job that all of the riders did yesterday, American or not.

Take a look at the last lap video here:

Haard to beat!

Get it? Haard to beat? As in Lars Van Der Haar is Haard to beat...see what I did there? That's some witty bloggoism there. Anyway, I digress... Just watch the final lap of todays Cyclocross WC in Tabor, Czech Republic. The 22 year old Dutchman is on fire in the early going of the World Cup and won his second race in a row to start the season. German Phillip Walsleben and ever present Kevin Pauwels of Belgium completed the podium and share second place in the standings behind the as yet undefeated Van Der Haar.

Great racing happens year round folks, don't miss the amazing racing that will be happening all winter long in the UCI Cyclocross World Cup.

Just hit the west side of the LBC, tryin' to find the WRC....(West River Cycles that is).

West River Cycles - 1233 E. 4th Street Long Beach,  Ca 90802

This post has been a long time coming. I don't get out to the LBC as much as I'd like to these days, but when I do I always try to stop by West River Cycles. The shop is serious about cycling and has a strong sense of history... especially road racing and the messenger lifestyle. The owner, Julius, was a bike messenger back in Philly and there is a strong east coast vibe that lends an air of grit and authenticity to the store that you don't often get in most Cali bike shops. The feel of the store is inviting, and during my visits I've seen every type of cyclist that you can imagine come through the door: serious roadie, fixie hipster, commuter, and everyday cruiser types. They are all treated with the same easy going and helpful approach by Julius and Kristen and there is not a hint of the aloofness that so often plagues cool shops like West River. So next time you're near downtown Long Beach, stop by, check out the store and maybe even make a purchase - good local bike shops like West River are one of our most precious resources as cyclists - supporting them over the big boys whenever possible is a good thing.