(Picture by Kurt Hansen www.cykel-foto.dk)

More Later...

About 45 starters from 8 countries
8 laps on muddy course w. 75m climp per lap - probably the most most hilly of all international cyclocross races

Picture on the right by Jos Vanhamel

Soon after the start a group of three separated from the rest: J. Page, Nicolas Bazin and Steve Chainel. I was at the back of the next group with 7 riders led by former German Champ, Johannes Sickmüller.

Sickmüller wore off during the 3rd lap and now my group was down to 4 riders with U23 Italian Champ, Cominelli leading. I stayed in contact and began to move up. The course was real slippery and quite dangerous in places - chrashing into a tree is a most likely outcome of any mistake on the long descent.

With 3 laps to go I was in 5th place leading french rider, Romain Lejeune in the chase of Cominelli. I tried to shake him on the hard climbs, but he kept on closing the gab.

On the last lap I felt the efforts on the previous laps. I did one hard pull and got a small gab, but Romain Lejeune came back and attacked. I tried to get back on the last steep climb, but I made a mistake and had to run. Belgian, Stijn Huys came from behind like a rocket and overtook me right after. On the following descent I tried to stay with him for a sprint at the finish. I lost control of the rig and went over the handlebars (luckyly there was no tree around). I got back on the bike only to be able to claim 7th place.

All this considered I am very satisfied! This is my highest placing in any international European cyclocross race. Thinking about the Danish National Championships on January 10th, my form should be in place for a good podium finish...

Video #1
Video #2

Result
1 CHAINEL Steve (Fra) (Bbox Bouygues Telecom) les 8 tours en 59'00"
2 BAZIN Nicolas (Fra) (CC Villeneuve-St-Germain) à 14"
3 PAGE Jonathan (USA) (Planet Bike) mt
4 COMINELLI Cristian (Ita) (Tx Active - Bianchi) à 1'35"
5 LEJEUNE Romain (Fra) (UV Aube) à 1'44"
6 HUYS Stijn (Bel) à 1'48"
7 PARBO Joachim (Den) (CCV Lepoard Cycles) à 2'18"
8 SICKMUELLER Johannes (Ger) (Stevens Racing Team Hamburg) à 2'54"
9 BAMBULA Ondrej (Cze) (Cyklo Team Budvar Tábor) à 3'04"
10 PAGNIER David (Fra) (CC Villeneuve-St-Germain) à 3'17"
11 KYZIVAT Vladimir (Cze) (Johnson Controls AS Mlada Boleslav) à 3'39"
12 AUSBUHER Kamil (Cze) (Prodoli Remerx Team) à 3'47"
13 RONDELEZ Bjorn (Bel) (Lingier Versluys Beachbikers Team) à 4'09"
14 METLICKA Vaclav (Svk) (Prodoli Remerx Team) à 4'12"
15 TRIEBEL Pascal (Lux) (LC Tétange) à 4'52"
16 WAGNER Sascha (Ger) (RFC Freilauf Rossbach) à 5'26"
17 VANNOPPEN Tom (Bel) (Ridley Moosenwirt Team) à 5'52"
18 NOVOTNY Petr (Cze) (TJ Stadion Louny) à 6'21"
19 PONTA Marco (Ita) (Cycling Team Friuli) mt
20 JUNKER Jérôme (Lux) (VV Tooltime Preizerdaul) à 6'48"

65 starters from 17 nations
10 laps on a 2800m course
<20.000 spectators

The ground was fozen even after two days of tawing and rain. A thin layer of mud on top of the frozen ground made a few of the turns were super slick. Most of the course was on sand base with sufficient grip.

I had a great start and held it going for a few laps. I could keep that pace and dropped some places.

Halfway I was riding with a good group and when they started to loose speed I attacked and tried to bridge to the next group. I found myself alone in the wind on the long fini
On the second last lap I caught up, though trying I couldn't get away ...

On the last lap the group rode up to Milram-rider, Poul Voss - everyone in the group paused. I guess we all thought the same: He is strong, but we will stay behind him and wait for him to open up the sprint - and then pass... It was folly. Voss made a mistake on a technial decent and we all passed him anyway. I ended up 4th in the group of 6.

On the resultlist I was no. 43. Bearing in mind how Kalmthout turned out for me I am still satisfied. With the UCI points gain I should move up 3 places in the rankings.

See report
See video

So the mud was white and it said Snow Leopard on my sled. The course only had one narrow track - and the constant turning on the slippery snow made passing difficult. A good start would be crusial.

So, I was lucky when the gun went and was only held up a bit by the enavitable crashed once we hit the course. After the first lap I was 35th in the 83 rider field and I roughly held my position through the first half of the race.

At the end of the race I made a minor mistake, crashed and lost a few spots. Fighting to regain what was lost I dropped the chain and it got stuck in the wheel causing to rear derailleur to take half a lap around the cassette.

Game Over.

I got off the bike and started to run. The pit was way ahead... I stopped to take a closer look at the carnage. With equivalent quantities of skills and violence I managed to twist the derailleur back in a partly usable position. That left me with some 4 gears. I made it to the pit and having lost several minutes I couldn't help being lapped soon after. I got 61st.

As fun as sledding on a hill starts out up top it always stops at the bottom. The UCI punished me by moving me down 6 places to number 60 in the World Ranking.

Requesting to inspect my rig, Huang asked to be alone with the beast. Granted, but 2 hours is a long time... However, that turns into a full spec write up + interrogation report.

Read the cyclingnews report + see photos

See also video clip of the bike further down on this page...

Pictures by Kurt Hansen - www.cykel-foto.dk

The organisers made a great effort to make it a good race and had both newspaper, TV coverage + the Mayor on site! ... And indeed the mud was good... !

Not really being up to racing, I took it a little too light and didn't get to warm up enough. That only made it worse. The boys went out hard and I had to dig deep to keep them within reach.

After struggling the first half of the race I was warmed up and was able to start wheeling in the two guys up ahead, Jonas Guddahl and Tommy Nielsen.

With 4 laps to go after having passed Jonas Guddahl, I finally made contact with former Danish Champ Tommy Nielsen and we rode together for two laps until I made a break for it. I attacked halfway into the second last lap and kept on the gas for a lap.

The last half lap was a joyful stroll in the mud for the win.

More Pictures
See TV clip - wait a bit, it works !!!

Igorre Spain December 6th.
49 starters from 9 countries

I started out in a relaxed manner, knowing that the race would be really hard. During the second and third laps I started to pass riders, that went out too hard.

On the 4th lap I made contact with a group with two Italians, a French and a Dutch rider and 3 Spaniards. I rode with them for 2 laps until it fell apart and I gained a few places.

On the last lap I managed to overtake an Italian rider by running through the last mud section just before the finishline - while he rode. Hence jumping on the bike on the pavement I opened up the sprint for the finish.

I made it 32rd - my highest placing in a world cup since 2007. After the dissapointment from Koksijde, I am happy to have gotten a reasurance that I am on the right path again.

See report + pics

Sandy course with quite tecnical sections
65 starters

I admit it, I wasn't a 100% ready for this race, but I completed and got something to think about...
Koksijde is one of my favorite courses on the WC circuit. I am always looking forward to race here. I just wasn't ready. My body was fatigued by too many hours of traveling. After coming home to the US I was home in Aarhus for 30 hours before driving 10 hours to Belgium.

I had a god start and was about 25th on the first lap. On the second I was short of breath and had to slow down and find a better rythm. I still made mistakes. The race turned out bad for me - and I was lapped. I ended up 46th - far from my expctations, but fair considering how I felt in the race.

This result gave me somthing to think about. Having been on the road with double races most weekends in the US I now had to ajust to racing in Europe with fewer races and traveling by car only.

A good round of sore throat followed me from Boulder to Long Island. How delightful to end a great trip to the US with a gooey respiratory system.

Foto - Lyne Lamoureux@PodiumInsight

I had taken 2 weeks off from racing hoping I would come to Europe in perfect shape. My form had been improving after the less great race weekends and I had put in some good power hiking work outs. Form was improving all according to plan. But something got stuck in my body - and wouldn't leave.

Coming to Long Island it got worse. I took it real easy friday and decided to skip saturdays race

I took a chance and went out on the bike sunday morning to see if my health was passable. I blew out unknows quantities of snot! It helped - and the legs felt fresh. I decided to go to the race...

I had a good start and sat with the top guys until 3rd lap. I dropped off and felt comfortable right behind Chris Jones in the 6th place.

Halfway into the race I lost my momentum - and Adam Craig rode past me. I suffered for 3 laps and was overtaken by Derrick St. John and Tyler Trace. I soon after made contact and sat on their wheels. St. John made a mistake and I made my move. Trace joined, took over leading and we got a good gab down to St. John

On the following lap I dropped Trace, held the trottle tight for a lap - and could claim a satisfying 8th place.

I ended up being 10th overall in the NACT. Could'ave Should'ave - next year I might take another go at the series...

See report + photos

60 starters on a technical, slippery course

I had arrived at altitude monday, 5 days before the race. I hoped it would be enough time to acclimate.

I did a 4 hour training ride on the tuesday - before the snowstorm hit. A 40cm dump. That took away important training days. I wasn't until friday that I could be out on the bike again.

My race plan was to ride at a medium effort in the Cat. 2 race and give it all in the Cat. 1 on the sunday. No need to waste too much power.

Standing on the startline I felt powerful. The gun went. Click in and kazam! I was airborne. I took the wholeshot like never before (See racevideo #1). Halfway into the first lap I felt the legs reality - I hadn't made the smartest move in history. The air was still thin and I had been in the superred zone for too long. I slowed down and dropped to 14th. I didn't recover until 3 laps later. Thinking back on my actual race plan I went into energysave mode... The last two laps I speeded up a bit and overtook 3 riders and claimed 11th.

Result + Photo

Racevideo #1
Racevideo #2
Racevideo #3


Video Interview

Pics by 303cycling.com and Tim Gasperak, Gasperak.com


ca. 60 starters on a fast course with deep sand sections.

I had a bad start and had to fight my way up from 30th position on the first lap.

On the second lap I was no. 16. I just missed a group of 7, that was going fast. The wind was a huge factor and I could do nothing that put myself to work and hope for the best. I caught up with Brady Kappius, who sat on my wheel for 4 laps until he let go. I moved up to 13th, but was passed by Adam Craig, who came from behind as so many times before

On the last two laps I overtook Matt Pachoca and Jake Wells right before the big sand pit. I hit the sand with higher speed and was able to gab them right there.

It was dissapointing for me not being able to do better than a 12th place. Saving myself the day before didn't really help much... So this was my last chance getting Cat. 1 points while in the US. I had been hoping for 10-15 more. Now, I only hope my collecting points in Europe goes well.


Result + photos
Race Video


Video Interview

70 starters on a heavy course with a few nice mud sections
(Photo - www.Podiuminsight.com)

Already having stacked up with UCI points from 5 cat. 2 races it was important that I would get a good place in this Cat. 1 race.

In spite of a big field of the toughest US racers I wanted to gamble and gave it all I had. I had a great start and stayed with the 9 man front group after the first lap.

On the second lap of 8 we had a big gab to the other racers. Berry Wicks made a daring move and increased the pace in the front, but quickly payed the price and dropped. I tried to hold on, but also had to let go on the 3rd lap.

The start had been all to hard for me and I knew it would be crucial to save a bit of power for the strategic end of the race, so I backed off and hoped the power would come back. Frattini passed me soon after.

On the 4th lap I got my power back . I hit it hard and came close to Frattini. I passed Jeremy Powers, who had exploded up front and was now dropping down through the ranks. Brian Matter joined me, but I moved away from him soon after.

Here I was in a secured 8th place and I took a breather. Wicks had regained his power and hammerd past me with Nick Weighall og Matter on his wheel. I missed the train and crashed soon after in the courses only real technical section. I fell in an awkward way and lost the rythm. The next lap I was feeling ok again, but I had no chance of moving back up. I had lost the battle for top 10...



See result


Video Interview

70 starters on a heavy course on spungy grass

Yesterdays race had been hard on me. I knew I couldn't do more than a 15th place.

I had a good start and stayed around 12th. On the second lap I lost all power. I had nothing to put in the pedals. I strolled around for a lap hoping things would change ... nope ... next lap ... nope ... GAME OVER ... DNF



Racevideo


Video Interview

With about 1100 pre-registered racers for all 3 UCI cat. 2 events, the Ohio scene has proven that cross has its justification here too.

Molly Cameron and I ran a clinic with 35 attendants wednesday before the races. A journailst and a sharp shooter showed up at our clinic and the result was this: read article

Thursday it started to rain - a lot !!! There were big puddles of water everywhere. Perfect for cross...

Darkhorse Cross Stampede
35 racers
Picture by www.jonbob.com

I had a good start, but fell on a slippery turn and bent my rear derailleur... The gears worked funnily and the gearsnap was near at hand. Luckyly I made it to the pits in 10th position and swapped bikes.

I fought my way back to 8th position and slowly started to get into the groove.

After 3 laps I passed Troy Wells, rode with Marco LaLonde and we moved up to pass Ryan Trebon, who had gotten a flat. Trebon got back, attacked and passed - but lost momentum a lap later.

I attacked and left LaLonde behind, passing Trebon just as my front brake cable slid and stopped working. I made it to the pit without any problems and went on.

I had figured out where I got the most out of investing my energy and had found the right angle to tacle the technical parts of the course. I was working hard to keep my consistency and it payed off in the end to claim my 3rd place, the second podium this season.

Result, interviews, report + pics
Report + pics
More pics

My Wife Inc worked miracles in the pit. Dressed in flourescent pit suits these guys got my bent rear drop out realligned and repaired a front brake cable that had slid. They totally saved me and let me focus on the pain and the lines in the mud. I shout out - mad props !!!

Check them out at www.mywifeinc.com

Pic by Lyne, Podium Insight

From the moning my legs told me this wasn't the day for them,. However, the sun was out and it was a great day... No need to fold beforehand.

This was a power course with a few tight turn sections. A great way to use a small neighborhood park for cross. A perfect venue for spectators.

I couldn't hang on to the front guys and quickly found myself in a group with Troy Wells, Brian Matter and Ryan Knapp with the next group only 20 sec down.

I tried to hand on to the relentlessly attacking Wells and strong riding Matter. Aaarghhh that was hard - Heads down, don't think - just race...!!! As Knapp dropped it only got worse.

Midrace we passed Trebon and now my motivation was to fight to stay with these guys.

Towards the end of the race Wells to some mad pulls and I tried to mark him - with Matter lurking safely behind.

On bell lap I made a half ass attack. Coming on to a long pavement strech with a slight incline, I swung out to estimate the situation. Wells and Matter stayed put and I launched my attack. Matter almost caught up with me before the sand pit. I made it smoothly through and hit the gas up the last little incline section of the race. I came on to the finishline section with a safe gab to take 4th.

The outcome was way better than expected. Morale? I guess never to give up...!

Report + pics

Racing cross the 3rd day in a row is no joke.

Troy Wells took the wholeshot and powered away with Powers and Trebon. I had a reasonable start and after being dropped I tried to hang on to Barry Wicks.

On the 3rd lap I led Wicks, who seemed to be fading.

On the 4th lap Wicks pulled a rabbit out of his hat and attacked...??!! I tried to follow, but my legs and lungs failed me.

Inspite of the pain I was able to enjoy the live drum rolls over loudspaker music sounds accompanied by the mad, yelling crowd at the uphill sandpit.

I could only watch how Wells was fading up ahead and was gobbled up by Wicks without being able to join the feast myself. I had a reasonable gab down to Marco Lalonde and Brian Matter, but was worried that they would gain on me.

I brought out the big shovel to dig deep the last two laps, thinking only about holding my position and not cramping up. My tires seemed to loose air, but I was just weighing down even heavier on my seat... ugh...

Still, taking 5th was satisfying for me. Now, I take the following weekend off before hitting L'ville, KY.

See result, report and pics

Leopard Cycles CX1 - 1200g
Zipp 303 Tubular
Sram Force. 39/46 + 12-26
Challenge Grifo 32mm or 34mm Tubular
TRP Brakes Mag EuroX 2009
Woodman Components
Posl SL Seat Post, Axis ICR Comp 20 Headset, Gator Ti Z QR, Bottlecage bling bolts, Death Grip Seat Clamp
Exustar Ti Pedals + Ti Cleats
Selcof - Stem Art. KA04 110mm x -6°, Handlebar Art. KP04 aluminum 44mm
Selle San Marco Magma saddle

16,5 pounds

Day 1
60 starters
Muddy, technical course

Gourmet mud on the menu in Gloucester
I had a bad start and was about 20th, when we hit the course. I quicky moved up 8 spots, but had to fight hard to keep my position.

I made a mistake on the last part of first lap. I tried to save the situation only get tangled in the tape and go down even harder. I lost 10 spots on that count.

I regained my focus and caught quite a few riders on the second lap. I came close to top 10 where the Belgian, Tim Van Nuffel (Redementhypo) was. Several riders seemed to have overshot their ability and had the check handed to them before the main dish. I felt great and didn't hesitate and headed straigt for the dessert buffet.

Halfway in I was 8th 30 sec ahead of Jeremy Powers and Jesse Anthony. With 3 laps to go I moved past Powers and made contact with Anthony. On the start/finish strech I dropped Anthony from my wheel and sprinted into the mud. The remnant of the race I chased Andy Jacques-Maynes, but never came closer than 15 seconds.

I took 6th on a great day in the mud. Thinking about Europe in December and January I feel confident ...

See pics
See video + result

Holeshot - pic by Dave McElwaine

Dag 2
Too nice - the weather had turned to sunshine and mild temperatures...
See panoramaview of the venue
The course was fast with a few tight turns - this would be a tough day at the office.

I gambled and took the holeshot. The worst traffic in the first turns was avoided. But I lacked 5-10 beats on the long streches on the first lap and missed out satying with the front group. I was in persuit of Tim Johnson, Powers, Jamey Driscol (C’dale CyclocrossWorld) and Jonathan Page (Planet Bike).

Shortly after Andy Jacques-Maynes (Bissel) passed me and I failed to hang on. 2 laps later Chris Jones joined me and I stayed with him 2 laps before having to let go. Dan Timmerman (Richard Sachs) and Derrick St. John (Garneau) passed me too and I lost my composition. I caught St. John one lap later and we worked together to move in on Timmerman, but never made contact.

On the last lap I attacked St. John and avoided that Jesse Anthony (Jamis) made contact. I squized out the last drops of energy and took 8th.

I guess I should have made a different disposition and saved my holeshot energy for the longer streches of the course. Riding a wee bit smarter i might have cashed in a 6th place. Still, I feel good about staying in top 10 in the top US races on courses that are not my cup of tea.

After 4 races I am now 8th in the NACT UCI series.

See picturese #1 #2
See video + result

Schoolhouse + Catamount Cross. Vermont UCI C2. 26+27 Sep 2009
Verge series #1+2
40 starters

Day 1

Burn out
I made a hard pull from the gun. It was wild bike galloping that made legs burn and people drop. I expected that the others would fall off, but the punishment hit me instead. Even though Vegas was far away, my legs wasn't over the hectic days spent there.

I fought 4 laps to hold my 4th position, but it crumbled at the end of the non technical and fast race. I managed to hold on to 6th...

See result

Slightly muddy course with a few technical parts

En route to something bigger
It was raining in the morning and after the dissapointment from yesterday my legs were in a happy mood.

I took a conservative approach from the start and I was in a 15 person group. Dan Timmerman (Richard Sachs) took off after the courses long gradual climb and was followed by 3 riders. I opened up the throttle and was followed by 5 riders.

On the 3rd lap Timmerman was alone in front and I advenced again to catch the fall offs. Only Timmermans' teambuddy, Josh Dillon followed me. During the next lap I had caught the stray riders and could see Timmerman just 20-30 sec ahead.

Dillon was as sticky as a piece of Duct Tape you try to shake off your finger - and he had an advantage drafting on certain parts of the course. I feared he was just waiting for me to catch up to Timmerman so they could Team attact me to death ... Just the mere thought of this probably cost me 5 beats on my heartrate.

Hence I had Dillon on my wheel for 5 laps. On the last lap I tried to attack a few times. Every time Dillon came back shortly after. With 300 meters to go I hit the gas the last time and took 2nd with only 8 sec to Timmerman. Maybe I should have tried my luck earlier - yeah, I should have !!! Irritating, it is all very clear to me now...

See result and pictures
More pictures
See racevideo

I have updated my calendar until the beginning of December. My USA campaign for this year is extensive, so I have allowed myself 3 weeks of during my stay in the States.

During my time in Boulder, CO I will have 2 long weeks where I don't need to worry about getting myself ready for racing. Instead I can put in a good block of training on the road and maybe get to do some hiking.

The US season only runs until mid December where as mine runs until late February. I need to avoid getting carried away and race every weekend as most the US racers do, if I want to keep my form all the way through February.

I still need to get the logistics in place for some of the Europe races, so my calendar only reflects the ones I am sure about.

See Calendar

I spent 4 days in Vegas - I went to the DirtDemo, InterBike - I raced Cross Vegas and I was at the Rapha / Independent Fabrication / Embrocation Magazine - party at the Artisan Hotel.

I survived and went to Boston... Ahh, peaceful relaxation in a busy big city...!

Cross Vegas UCI cat. 1
106 starters
8000 spectators
Gras, gras, gras...

I had a good start and rode with the first group a couple of laps. On the 3rd lap I had to let go while I was in something like 20th place. I quickly realized this definetely wasn't my day. The dry air hurt my throat - and the legs got more than tired.

Riders came up from behind and I tried to hold their wheels, only to have to let go soon after. After a few laps my rear wheels started to leek - and I went to the pit. Back on the bike I came to the conclusion that I was at the end of my days work. I just rode the last laps to complete the race, but even riding without any ambitions the thick gras carpet made it a struggle.

See result
See photos #1 - #2 - #3

See racevideo

Post race videointerview w Cyclingdirt.org

Picture by Dennis Crane
Videos by Cyclingdirt.org

Starcrossed Sep. 20th, UCI C2
1500 spectators
80 elite starters
Light rain and slick turns, mainly on grass


I arrived on tuesday the 15th of Sep. - 4 days before StraCrossed. I slept a lot and in my dreams I was fighting fearce snotmonsters - and got a lot better just before the first race.

The start went well, but my left knee got spooked during the first lap - and started hurting ??? I thought I was done with the knee problems I had earlier in the year. I hesitated and started thinking my season was done before it got started. I stopped completely and sat down and streched while the last riders passed me...

I decided to start again - and thought I might aswell enjoy the nice cx weather and the technical turns. I slowly moved up the ranks and to my surprice I made it to 20th spot. The knee problems never reappeared. So, somewhat encouraged I looked forward to next days racing - only 18 hours later.

See result

Post race video Interview


Rad Racing GP, 21 sep. Steliacom, UCI C2
Some 400 spectators
appx.. 70 elite starters
Dry course with the long, feared Dale Knapp run up - and as a new addition, a long climb on a gravel road.

I felt ready before the start. The course suits me and I felt relieved from the knee scare the day before. I had a good start and I stayed with the front group,when the gab opened after the run up.

On the second lap the front group was diminished to 6 racers - and I still felt fine. On lap 3 Jonathan Page and Swiss Champ, Christian Heule made a killer attack. The rest of the group only managed to follow suit for half a lap, before backing off. Ryan Trebon dropped with Jeremy Powers - Andy Jaques-Maynes and Jamey Driscol went ahead, and shortly after Russel Stevenson, Chris Jones og Barry Wicks came up from behind.

Wicks pulled for a few laps and blew up. Jones and Stevenson attacked - with me trying to keep up.

With 3 laps to go the psychological game for placed started. I tried my luck on the run up and the following gravel road climb. Chris Jones came back up to me and hit the contra attack button. The last two laps I concentrated on keeping Stevenson behind me, claiming the 6th place and 8 UCI points. Good stuff to start off the season with a nice ride in a packed field.

See result
See photos

Race Video


Post race video Interview