The Danish cycling federation (DCU) has appointed me to be part of a coming group of Anti-Doping ambassadors - see Anti Doping.
Running low pressure in Roubaix
(26-01-2009) I took a chance and had to pay...
Picture by Joe Sales
I was ready to rumble. The wet, sticky and deep mud had me take a chance. The air was let out and I thought I was smart.
During the race I was too busy to think about it, but as big an advantage it was in the mud - as little an an advantage it was in the Roubaix track and the other paved sections. I was sailing and couildn't go as hard as I should have.
As the race progressed 6 corners became impossible to ride and running became the only option, hence making the low pressure even less of an advantage.
Hitting a sharp paved edge, I punctured. I lost time and at the end of the race I couldn't help getting lapped. I made it 40th, though.
Danish Champ 2009
(11-01-2009) Nothing was rotten in the state of Denmark today ... I regained my championship in Helsingør close to Kronborg Castle, known from Shakespaere's Hamlet.
For more than a week leading up to the Danish Championships, I had been nervous. I had imagined many different scenarios about how the race could evolve, how I would respond to attacks and in what situations I would attack myself. It was quite unbearable...
Danish Champs Arranged by CK Kronborg, Helsingør 25 elite riders at the startline 11 laps on a 2000 meter hardpacked, slightly frosen course Some 300 spectators, 2 TV crews and a fair number of journalists
Lap #1 I took the whole shot to avoid any traffic. After that I was overtaken by Christian Poulsen and Tommy Nielsen and the three of us immediately formed a group with a good lead over next racers. Poulsen let the outfit and I tried to stick to him as he seemed to have the best legs.
Lap #2 Tommy Nielsen made a classic junior-move on me and almost knocked me over overtaking me in a tight turn - only to dash for the stairs and stumble on the first steps. On the next open section I passed him and charged to reconnect with Poulsen.
Lap #3-4 On the next laps I thought I could go a bit faster in certain sections and on the forth lap I took the lead and opened up the gas.
Lap #5-7 I managed to attack and leave my to worst competitors Poulsen and Nielsen on the 5th lap. Two laps later I had a safe 30sec gap.
Towards the end of the race I had built up a lead of almost 1min. However, I wasn't until the very last few meters that I allowed myself to actually believe in it.
(28-12-2008) So this guy Stu, who hosts ZippCast and runs simplystu.com called me up about a month ago. He wanted to ask me some questions for a special podcast.
The result was a 16 minutters ZippCast, posted on the Zipp website
On the same site you can also find interviews with Millar, Cancelara, Sastre and some TRI-guys.
Zolder WC #7
(27-12-2008) Formula 1 cross racing on Curcuit Zolder
Picture by Victor Zandbergen
65 riders from 16 nations. 10 laps on a superfast, dry 3km course.
Bad start The start went like a blaze. We approached the first turn with 60km/h See video I was caught up in the first turns and lost vital places. Over the first sandy climb a rider skidded out in front of me and riders were tumbling aound forcing me to run up the hill that could otherwise easily be ridden. I all cost me 45sec and I was almost dead last - See video of the nastiest descent Headvind After the first lap groups were formed - and I found myself fighting from group to group most of the race. Headwind equals hurting... Towards the end of the race I had caught up with about 15 riders and was approaching a group with the Polish and the Louxembourg Champs.
Lee I clung onto the back of the group, catching my breath for a lap. On the last lap I attacked before 2 short technical climbs. It went well until I made a small mistake and I was immeadiately overtaken by Jempy Drucker, the Louxembourg Champ. With 4 turns to go before the finish line sprint, I did not manage to get back on his wheel.
Moving up? With a little more luck I could have placed way better. Still, I did overtake a few competitiors for the world rankings. I might be getting closer to the magic top-50 ranking, that will grant me a UCI ticket to worlds.
Next races Until the next race in Petange, LUX on January 1st. (UCI kat. 2) I can get some good training sessions in the pedals. On January 11th I am racing the Danish Championships. The race in Zolder makes confident I am getting in position for some good results in January's races - Nats, 2 WC's and ... Worlds..?
Nommay, France 60 starters on a heavy and challenging course.
Holding back and not giving everything at the start was the plan before the start. Some guy took me into his similar plans and layed himself and his bike in a straight flush in the second turn. My bike got tangled with is his bike. As we struggled to free our bikes most of the peloton passed. I made it out second to dead last.
During the race I made some progressions. Halfway riders in front of me were fading. I advanced, but had to go down in slick corners on my way.
On the last lap I made had almost made it up to a group with a Dutch, a Czech and 2 Italians. I turned the throttle only to make a major slide out in slick clay mud. The guys went away and I only managed to catch one of the Italians and a mere 43. place
I really liked the challenging course. If the Danish Champs would only have the same conditions, who know where the jersey might end up.
Fast grassy, course with many turns + one super long pavement section.
Alas, the travel to the US had been harder on me than expected. Riding the course the day before the race, my legs had a hard time losing up. It was the exact same case warming up on race day.
I tried ignore the lack of fresh legs and focused on placing myself in the front of the game after the gun went. I was hoping it was only a matter of suffering a bit - and the impact would losen up the legs. Already on lap two and three I lost momentum. It was a drag race and I lost important wheels to sit on. I struggled to keep up, but soon had to face a personal defeat. Towards the end of the race I had a better flow going, but I never got real close to catch any groups. I came in 16th. My only hope was that at least now my legs would be loosened up.
My miserable performance was somewhat softened, by the many people from the cross scene, whom were happy to see me back in the States. Here, unlike in some European countries, you can be acknowledged by your presence regardless of your performance. Very unique and very welcoming.
1st annual Superstar Cyclocross Seminar In the evening I joined the cyclocross panel consisting of author of Cyclocross ”Training and Technique”, Simon Burney and riders Wendy Simms, Wells Bros. and Molly Cameron.
The attendants were given prizes for their questions and we tried to answer as best as possible. The questions really challenged us riders as we were trying to make sense of the multifaceted sport of cyclocross.
Personally it was interesting for me to hear the other riders’ views of the sport and their choice of equipment … and tire pressure…
My main contribution was to tell about the uniqueness of the US cross scene, and how I see it as holding far better qualities, than its European counterpart. US holds the key to the future of cyclocross.
Portland Pilgrimage, day 2
During the night it had rained. 2 hours before the race it rained heavily. The arena was set … I want to thank the heaven for the weather – hell for the company...
Portland Cup Stanley Cross Crusade - USGP #6 Muddy course with many turns + one super long pavement section. In some places wet and slippery in other places deep and tacky.
I felt better today and the weather was really promising. I knew the race would be tough and that attacking too hard from the gun could backfire. I wanted to play it safe - and sat around 15th place after the first lap.
Nothing broken? On the 4th lap I tried to move up, but soon after got caught behind crashing riders that were falling left and right in a unpredictable pattern... I rode straight into Carl Dekkers bike and hit his seatpost hard. I went over the handlebars and feared the worst - a broken rim and a puncture. My bike was surprisingly enough fine?!? Flying in the air, I was certain that something had been broken. The crash got me a little confused and I lost some time getting back up to speed.
2nd strike Just as I had passed 2 riders I crashed on my own on the next lap. I slid out where I least had expected it and sailed 15 feet forward away from my bike. I had to run back and get it.
3rd strike The following lap I had the 3rd strike. I went head first into one of the deep puddles, got wet and hurt my knee. 4 riders passed me. I was really frustrated and having hurt my knee, I had to pick myself up really hard mentally to get back on the bike.
After that getting through the race was a struggle. However, the mad crowd a doubble switchback passage gave me some encouragement.
A can of Suck-Ass At the last lap I was close to catch Salomon Woras from the Vanilla / Stumptown Cross Crew. A dedicated spectator shouted out loud: "You gotta open up a can of Whoop-Ass and get this guy"! The next second I slid out on the offcamper climp, and the spectator muttered less enthusiastic: dissapointed: "That's not a can of Whoop-Ass..."
At the end I claimed 16th place, but it was not what I wanted to achieve. I came to tear down the walls of Portland, but almost left in tears.
Post race The post race clean up was a trial of its own. Never has my skin suit been so heavy after a race. There was a thick layer of mud on especially the front of my jersey. Only huts build of clay and buffalo dung would be thicker.
After having enjoyed takeaway thick crust Pizza it was time to join the dressed up madness at the Cyclo Cross Prom. I stayed on the good side of lunacy - and got to meet with some great people and great freaks from the Portland scene. As promising the prom had started as quickly it died out. Fair enough, it was Sunday after all.
I feel privileged to have experienced the world’s greatest cross scene. I still feel like I owe a stronger performance to Portland. I might have to come back and have another swing at it...!
(7-12-2008) As good as it gets - Luxembourg mud...
Photos by Jos Van Hammel
Grassy, muddy course with superslick, switchback corners. 31 starters from 9 countries.
Due to heavy snowfall on the border between Belgium and Luxembourg, I was late. That the race promoter hadn’t not put up signs, didn’t help either. I lost even more time.
Finally after getting a 20min warm up, I rolled up to the start. The plan was clear. On an unknown course, I had to play it safe and rode the first lap defensively.
It took 3 laps until I felt warm enough to fire up the kettle a bit. Halfway into the race I had moved from 25th place to 15th place.
The muddy course was tough to handle. The speed was low and the slick corners even made it safer to run the switchback corners on a particularly nasty decent.
Unfortunately I had a puncture that slowed me down as I had just passed the pit. Getting the new bike with 3 to go, I put it all on red. The last rider I passed before taking the 12th place was German Champ, Malte Urban. See results here
Sad day in the sand
Koksijde is one of my favorite courses. Alas, a vicious gang of race promotors has sabotaged the otherwise beautiful course and made it more difficult. As much as I was looking forward to racing in Koksijde - just as much was I disapointed about the course - as I was with my performance.
10 laps on a sandy course with quite some dismounts - depending on psysical ability...
55 starters from 13 countries
My start was excelent. After the first lap I was no. 24. I had a plan - just like the last few years. Only this time it was hard to anticipate, how the race would evolve. My tactics were wrong. I rode too hard and payed the price on the course that had been changed.
I lost about 15 places in 3 laps. I wasn't until mid race that I could start to regain - and all I got was 3 places after that.
Counting sheep I had a shot intermezzo mid race with a fanatic and drunk spectator. Cheering for the guys racing on the opposite and parallel side of the course, he leaned far out on the fence - right when I was passing with about 25K... I hit him hard on the side of the head with my shoulder and he collapsed on the fence for the count... Better look left and right next time chump !
Sand slide On the third last lap I was going well, just until I had to mount my bike on top of a sandy hill. I didn't get into my pedals and swaggered on the bike going down hill. My front wheel caught some loose sand on the bottom and I had to take the slide. My levers were bent and I lost a place or two.
Shortly after Gusty Bausch caught up with me. We rode together for a lap until he gabbed me 50 meters. Right then the lead group approached from behind and we would soon be relieved of our sufferings.
The results state wrongly that I was lapped with two to go - It was only with one to go. My 39th place it right though - as painful as it is. I need to review my race composition...
Tabor - WC #2
(26-10-2008) Now we are getting somewhere... Tabor was a good experience.
50 starters on a superfast course - much like US racing.
Speed was the one word to discribe this race. From the gun to the setting sun. And at the end the lights went out for me. I had a bad start and quickly found myself in the back. From there there was only one way. Pain. I suffered and it payed off after 6 laps I was getting close to 30th place working together with Polish Champ,Mariusz Gil. He attacked and I tried to follow. Alas. The power had gone and a group from behind caught up with me. I lost 3 places, but pulled off a solid 37th place - 3:50 down from the winner. . Young Albert won followed by two Czech's, Stybar and Bina. Nijs took fourth.
UCI ranking no. 42
(22-10-2008) The first update of the world ranking list puts me in 42th place out of 218 with points
Wack! in Woerden
(21-10-2008) So I tried this race in Woerden in Holland...
Cityfest with carrusells and candyfloss - and a UCI cat. 2 crossrace. About 40 riders from 7 countries. Tight, short course (not up to UCI rules !)
I got a great start and had it going well in the 3rd group along with Ben Berden (Bel) and Johannes Sickmüller (Ger). On the second lap I hit the sand - and flew ass over heels. Wack! my head hit the ground! Dizzy... Swollen lip, mouth filled with sand, head hurts. Time to pull out of the race. EXIT, DIXI !
WC #1. Kalmthout
(19-10-2008) Traveling and poor sleep killed this race for me. I was stuck in the back most of the race only to "pass" riders that DNF'ed
Kalmthout, Belgium Fast, narrow course mainly on sandy, forrest soil. 4 small stairs for some running exitement. 61 Riders from 12 countries. (Photo by Gay Lord Lister of Crosschestershire + Erik Coenen)
After one lap it became apperent - I had no legs. Really! no legs... I fought the best I could only to find out I had no legs.
Excuses.. Let's see now. Oh yeah, 3 races last weekend in Ohio, travelling for more than 24 hours. At home for 3 days - and just 12 hours in the car the day before the race. A plan way too ambitious - silly, might be a better word.
I ended up being no. 48. Not my worst result ever, but it should have been!
I hope to do better in two days in the race called, Nacht van Woerden.
a tough day at the office... trying to explain myself...
Ohio3CX
To be updated sometime soon...
(1.10.2008)
UCI Cat. 1 race on deep grass on a fast, non-technical course. A packed field of 69 racers from 6 countries..Prominent racers: Thomas Frishknecht, Christof Sauser (MTB World Champ), Florian Vogel, Geoff Kabush, Ryan Trebon, Berry Wicks, Tim Johnson, Jeremy Powers - and a guy called Lance Armstrong.
Sure enough, I had to leave Seattle with a slight cold. It lasted two days and only wore off on the days of Cross Vegas. I was already discouraged and could only think of last years less prestigious 25th place. Some would say I had given up already. My Vegasian firend, Andy Bestwick preped me and kept me on the mental track. Hanging out in the hot weather at the Dirt Demo, tuesday helped some.
I knew the race woul be insanely fast and that I would have a hard time hanging on to the front guys. With almost no changes in the pace, I would loose out in the thick grass - for sure. The roumors had it for about 2 weeks that Armstrong would show up. During the day it was confirmed - Lance has landed in Vegas.
Time to haul out the Dopers Suck gear and show that guy what true racing is about.
First row call up - Flying the true colors for the fans and that guy wearing yellow. Photo By Joe Sales - joesales@mac.com
The start went well and I managed to stay out of trouble. The pace was furious - and the noise of the 8000 spectators, that came to see cross was immense! I sat with the front group of about 16 riders for 4 laps, before dropping off. I caught up briefly again only to be dropped again. The desert air dried out my throat in a unpleseant way - this race was going to be hard.
For about 4 laps I sat with Berry Wicks, Troy Wells and Andy Jacques-Maynes. The closest the next group with Lance Armstrong came was 30 seconds, about mid race. We silently agreed not to give way for Armstrong even on a day, when all four of us should have been with the front group.
Eventually both Wells and Wicks fell off my group. Jacques-Maynes and I continued together trying to catch up with the front group. We did not get much closer. The last few laps we kept the momentum, but without taking any chances to break away from the other. At the end I was outsprinted by Jacques-Maynes - only fair after I took the sprint at Rad Racing GP.
Cross Vegas was over - one of the most unique races I have ever done. Relatively the involvement of the 8000 person crowd eclipsed Worlds from 2007
Drilling it, welcoming the pain Photo by Ken Conley- kwc@kwc.org
Result 1 Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 2 Tim Johnson (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com 3 Adam Craig (USA) Giant Mountain Bike Team 4 Jonathan Page (USA) Planet Bike 5 Thomas Frischknecht (Swi) Scott-Swisspower Team 6 Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis 7 Christoph Sauser (Swi) Specialized 8 Florian Vogel (Swi) Scott Swiss Power Team 9 Jeremy Powers (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com 10 Jonathan Baker (USA) Vitamin Cottage P/B Xp Companies 11 Matt Shriver (USA) Jittery Joe’S 12 Todd Wells (USA) Team GT 13 Michael Mueller (Swi) Planet Bike 14 Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) Specialized/Kmc Pb Cal Giant 15 Joachim Parbo (Den) CCV Leopard Cycles 16 Jamey Driscoll (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com 17 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 18 Troy Wells (USA) Team Clif Bar 19 Adam Myerson (USA) Cycle-Smart 20 Derrick St John (Can) Stevens Cross 21 Antonio Cruz (USA) BMC Bikes 22 Lance Armstrong (USA)
Vegas Cross is also about the money - see 1:38 into this clip
Cross Vegas - Armstrong gets his beer
Wanna know what kind of Meyham Corss Vegas is? Watch this guy's footage from the Barriers / TRP Brake Zone.
3:12 into this clip you can see Lance Armstrong taking a splash of beer. Now the guy is rightfully baptized into Cyclo Cross.
Rad Racing GP
(1.10.2008)
36 starters on a dry course with one long, decisive run up.
Though having rained a ton the day before, the Steilacoom course was dry and dusty, just like last year.
Feeling like the body was broken in after StarCrossed, I took the whole shoot and came up the Dale Knapp Run Up as first contender. A group was formed and the race was on. I hung in and stayed with the group for some laps, before starting to do the drop-and-catch-up game. Andy Jacques-Maynes and I formed a good alliance and worked together to the end closing in on Powers, without any luck other that getting a little closer look at him.
It came down to a sprint. I opened up the arsenal right after the last corner and pulled the 4th place in front of Jacques-Maynes.
I didn’t expect do so well early in the season, but coming in with fresh legs must have paid off.
Result 1 Timothy Johnson (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.Com 2 Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 3 Jeremy Powers (USA) Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.Com 4 Joachim Parbo (Den) Ccv Leopard Cycles 5 Andy Jacques-Maynes (USA) Specialized/Kmc Pb Cal Giant 6 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 7 Russell Stevenson (USA) Benaroya Research Institute Cycling Team 8 Todd Wells (USA) Team Gt 9 Bart Gillespie (USA) Monaviecannondale.Com 10 Justin Robinson (USA) California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized
50 starters on a fast course mainly on muddy grass with a few slick off camper sections
Racing in Seattle proved to be a good place to get a taste of the familiar pain that cross so abundantly offers. As many racers agreed it was real cross since it had rained for 14 hours before the start.
I had a good start, but gave it a bit too much and quickly dropped down again. Mid race I was in 10th position looking to move up. Riders like Troy Wells blew up in front of me. I got into a good groove and advanced. Eventually I got 7th, feeling surprisingly good.
Inspite of the grim weather there was a good crowd out to watch the race. Great atmosphere!
Result 1 Jeremy Powers (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com 1.02.37 2 Ryan Trebon (USA) Kona 0.05 3 Tim Johnson (USA) Cyclocrossworld.com 0.16 4 Adam Craig (USA) Giant Bicycles 0.57 5 Barry Wicks (USA) Kona 1.36 6 Russell Stevenson (USA) 1.52 7 Joachim Parbo (Den) CCV Leopard Cycles 2.32 8 Nicholas Weighall (USA) Rad Racing / Hagens Berman 2.59 9 Shannon Skerritt (USA) VANILLA BICYCLES 3.03 10 Dan Timmerman (USA) TEAM RACE PRO
Into a new cross season
(1.10.2008)
Finally, I got back on the horse ('erm Leopard), after not having done a single race since February. I have been in exile, trying to get my thesis down on paper. After 5 years of not trying, the time had come. September 1st I turned in my 80 pages, which will hopefully grant me way to my Masters Degree in Political Science.
This season the plan is to start with 1 month of good North American CX racing, before the World Cup series starts in Europe. Midway, I have built in 10 days of good training in Boulder, Co. Later in the season the USGP in Portland, a traditional mud fest completes this year’s US program. I hope to reclaim the Danish Championship Title and qualify for the World Championships by being Top 50 in the World by January 12th
Leopard Cycles CX1 - smooth like a cat
(19-09-2008) Carbon. I could not avoid the black gold any longer. It had to happen some day. What a day it was...
I was told the bike would be alright for racing, but I really had no idea that it was more than alright. Taking the frame out of the box, I knew. This was really something special. I ran up in the kitchen to check the scales. 1180g with paint in my size a 58cm...?! A cheer could not help passing my lips. With the Sram Red grouppo I would be looking to shave off 500g from last year.
The frame has some really good clearance. Other brands have less mud passage features on their highly profiled cross frames. A bad thing not to have in mind when investing in molds for cross bikes.
The first ride was a bit strange as always. Dialing in the correct position is never easy. However, I could feel that the frame had crisp acceleration. The stiffness is my main concern when it comes to light weight bikes. A responsive frame is key, especially in cross, where out of the saddle accelerations are abundant.
I had my first real cross practice at Marymoor, Wa. There is no doubt, that the frame lives up to all demands for cross. I pushed the limits and crashed only once in a tight turn. Generally, the feel is great - and i guess the feeling is mutual. A true dream ride! I cannot wait for those special muddy days, sometime in December... We have a date!
A Leopard Cycles CX1 frame with custom paint job sells for 1999 USD. Leopard offers custom build, lifetime guarantee - delivered in a ready for action box. From the Leopard web site:
# Pick colors + components. Custom painted by Joe's Bicycle Painting and assembled in California. # Guaranteed Fit # Guaranteed Satisfaction -- 30 days / no questions asked # Life-time guarantee on frame and fork # Out of the box and on the road in just 10 minutes - using our unique packing and shipping system.
My bikes are the first to leave California. Leopard is now preparing to ship the first CX1s out to the consumers.
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...
