World CUpdate - November brings sand and mud
Antwerp, Dublin, USA junior success, and USA Nationals
The World Cup CX season is underway in Europe, and the first two races provided distinct racing dynamics and different winners to kick off the compact 12 round series.
Antwerp delivered its classic sandy sections which were ridden best by winners Fem van Empel and Eli Iserbyt. In the women’s race, Marie Schreiber strung the field out from the gun with World Champion Van Empel catching up with her during the first lap. The Dutchwoman then went solo for the rest of the race to take the win as Schreiber drifted back to third after being passed by Lucinda Brand.
Laurens Sweeck took an early lead in the men’s race, but Belgian National Champion Iserbyt launched his solo move during the fourth lap and was visibly faster in the sand. Sweeck was fast enough for second (17” back), and Michael Vanthourenhout was third.
While Antwerp delivered solo moves, Sunday’s race in Dublin saw pack dynamics play a bigger role. It was announced before the race that Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado would not take part due to illness, so it was up to Brand et al to challenge Van Empel. And challenge her they did.
Brand took a solo flyer on lap number two, and Van Empel initially managed to chase her down. A mistake in the sand pit sent her off her bike and onto her feet, giving Brand the advantage. Brand wouldn’t let the gap close, winning over Van Empel by 24 seconds. Under-23 rider Zoe Backstedt finished third.
The men’s race in Ireland opened with carnage as the first man through the barriers, Michael Boros, crashed causing a mass pileup. Notably down was Thibau Nys, who later pulled out of the race with a sore ankle, though it’s reported that it isn’t broken.
After the chaos, a group of men stayed together until the final lap. Iserbyt led it out, but a slipped pedal allowed Vanthourenhout into the lead for the win. Toon Aerts was second (1” back) with Felipe Orts Lloret finishing third.
USA Junior Success
Also in Dublin, the United States’ Lidia Cusack won the junior women’s race, a breakout performance for the 17-year-old. Cusack won 9” ahead of France’s Lison Desprez after a four lap race, with Canadian Rafaelle Carrier finishing third.
A couple weeks ago, another American junior showed promise in his first-ever European race. Matthew Crabbe won Parkcross in Belgium beating out Bas Vanden Eynde of Belgium after starting in the back of the start grid.
These young talents are only good news for US cycling fans.
USA Nationals head to Louisville
Next week is the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships taking place in Louisville, Kentucky Dec. 12-15 for its second year in the city.
There could be changes to the course, which would be welcomed by those who thought the venue was not technical enough last year, according to Cyclocross Radio. The 2023 race was won by Eric Brunner and Clara Honsinger (now retired).
Brunner is on form, recently winning both races at the North Carolina Grand Prix and the Pan American Championships in early November. He’ll be challenged in the men’s field by the likes of Curtis White, Andrew Strohmeyer, Scott Funston, and Kerry Werner.
Speaking of young riders, the NCGP also saw a double winner in 18-year-old Vida Lopez De San Roman. It’s unclear what category she will race at Nationals, but she could be a contender if she races in the elites. Otherwise, look out for Raylyn Nuss, Katei Clouse, and Lauren Zoerner in the elite women’s field.
This week the World Cup heads to Sardinia, Italy, which I'm betting will be much warmer than Dublin.