US Cross – Week 11 Predictions

Posted on November 15, 2012 by

Ryan Trebon. Photo: Todd Prekaski.

After an exciting weekend in Louisville, the cross collective moves to Iowa City, Iowa for three days of action at Jingle Cross Rock. Like the Cincy 3-Day Festival, Jingle Cross Rock features a pair of C2 races and a C1 race on Sunday. As a result, it’s a who’s who of American cross racers in Iowa.

The only noticeably absent rider is Jeremy Powers. Powers has maxed out on C1 and C2 points, therefore he can only improve his starting position by racing World Cup races. As a result, Powers will use the next few weeks to recover, train and prepare for another European campaign.

Another rider missing from the start list is Todd Wells. Wells still has an outside shot of making the worlds team and has had success in the past in Iowa. However, it appears that his mountain bike commitments will keep him from returning to cross full time for a few more weeks.

Before I get to my predictions, I would like to mention Supercross Cup. The two-day C2 event has been postponed because of the ongoing efforts to get portions of New York City up and running after hurricane Sandy. As a result, the promoters are using Saturday as a volunteer day to help out with the relief efforts. All the info is available on their Facebook page.

With that said, here’s how I think things will shake out:

Jingle Cross Rock – Rock 1 (C2)

The Winner

Ryan Trebon – Trebon is riding very well right now and is one of America’s top racers. He did well in Louisville last weekend and seems keen on keeping things rolling in Iowa. I expect him to be competitive all weekend, starting with a win on Friday.

The Podium

Chris Jones – I will admit that I’m guilty of calling Jones a roadie with a cross problem. The fact is, Jones continues to improve and is a true cross rider. He’s capable of podium nearly every race he shows up to. I expect for him to land on the podium like he did last year.

Jamie Driscoll – Driscoll took Rock 1 last year with a solo victory over Jones and Tim Johnson. Driscoll seems to do well in Iowa, so I expect him to be a podium contender.

Jingle Cross Rock – Rock 2 (C2)

The Winner

Ben Berden – every weekend, I stare down the list of riders and seem to skip over Berden, despite him being one of the top racers in the US this season. While I consider him a solid podium threat, I’m going to step out of my comfort zone and pick him to win Rock 2 on Saturday.

The Podium

Ryan Trebon – while I’m sure Trebon would love to go three-for-three this weekend, I think he may dial it back a notch in preparation for Sunday’s C1 race. However, a win’s a win, so if he can get away, he could easily sweep the first two races.

Tim Johnson – Johnson seems to be having and up and down season thus far. While he always has to be considered a podium threat, his podium appearances this season are a little less frequent then I would like. With that said, look for him to land on the podium on Saturday.

Jingle Cross Rock – Rock 3 (C1)

The Winner

Ryan Trebon – Powers and Driscoll are the only two riders two win C1 races in the US this season. In the past, that’s not saying much, but considering there has been a C1 race nearly every weekend, the fact that only two riders have won them says a lot. Look for Trebon to join that list on Sunday.

The Podium

Tim Johnson – a winner here last year, a repeat is not out of the question for the veteran cross rider. I expect him to podium on Sunday and it wouldn’t make surprise me if he made a run at a victory.

Ben Berden – Driscoll, Jones, Schouten; the list of riders who could podium this weekend is nearly endless. Look for Berden to rise above the rest and pick up his second podium of the weekend.

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Cross Top 25 – Week 10

Posted on November 14, 2012 by

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After another week of domination in the US, Jeremy Powers maintains the number one spot in this weeks Top 25. Despite the success of Sven Nys and Niels Albert in Europe, Powers continues to be number one in the computer rankings. While the gap is closing, Powers was the number one vote getter as well this week, cementing his overall.

In what can only be seen as a meeting of man and machine, the top three in the computer rankings were also the top three vote getters. Powers was number one with 76% of the vote, Nys was second and Albert third. Interestingly, Albert was roughly one vote shy of Nys in the polls. Lars van der Haar was fourth in the polls followed by Bart Aernouts. Ryan Trebon, Adam Craig and Dan Timmerman were the other Americans to rank in the top ten in the polls.

As far as the overall goes, Trebon (5th) and Powers are the only two Americans in the top ten as Jamie Driscoll drops to 14th. Van der Harr had the biggest jump this week moving into eight overall, primarily due to finishing fourth in the polls. Despite moving up a spot in the computer rankings, Ben Berden took a tumble this week as he’s now 15th.

Powers remains number one in UCI points, while Jonathan Page remains number one in terms of field quality and strength of schedule. Maintaing the number one spot in winning percentage is Aitor Gutierrez, who has won the only race he has entered.

Enrico Franzoi and Thijs Al drop out of the Top 25 this week, while Justin Lindine and Radomir Simunek return after dropping out last week.

Powers looks to be sitting out this weekend, while Nys and Albert will do battle in a C1 and C2 race in Belgium. Will this spell the end of Powers reign? We will find out soon enough.

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Cross Predictions – Week 10 Wrap-Up

Posted on November 13, 2012 by

Photo by Balint Hamvas | cyclephotos.co.uk

As predicted, Jeremy Powers picked up a pair of wins in Louisville, Kentucky and now has a commanding lead in the USGP series. In Europe, the weekend was split between Niels Albert and Sven Nys (I had Nys both days).

In the smaller European races, Francis Mourey picked up a victory in Switzerland while Martin Bina continued his domination in the Czech Republic. Overall, it was a good weekend as far as my predictions went. Here’s how I did:

US Cross

USGP of Cyclocross – Derby City Cup Day 1 (C1)

1. Jeremy Powers – 1st
2. Ryan Trebon – 2nd
3. Jamie Driscoll – 13th

Points: 4

USGP of Cyclocross – Derby City Cup Day 2 (C2)

1. Jeremy Powers – 1st
2. Ben Berden – 2nd
3. Ryan Trebon – 4th

Points: 4

Total: 8/10 (80%)

European Cross

Toi Toi Cup – Round 5 (C2)

1. Martin Bina – 1st
2. Petr Dlask – DNS
3. Michael Boros – 3rd

Points: 4

Soudal Jaarmarktcross Niel (C2)

1. Sven Nys – 3rd
2. Niels Albert – 1st
3. Aur̩lien Duval Р6th

Points: 2

Superprestige – Hamme-Zogge (C1)

1. Sven Nys – 1st
2. Niels Albert – 2nd
3. Kevin Pauwels – 5th

Points: 4

Entega City Cross Cup (C2)

1. Johannes Sickmueller – DNF
2. Michael Schweizer – 2nd
3. Ole Quast – 4th

Points: 1

Internationales Radquer Frenkendorf (C2)

1. Francis Mourey – 1st
2. Simon Zahner – 2nd
3. Enrico Franzoi – DNS

Points: 4

Total: 15/25 (60%)

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Cross – Week 11 Poll

Posted on November 12, 2012 by

The list of winners this week is long. Sven Nys won both races this weekend in Belgium, while Tim Johnson won two out of three races this weekend in Iowa. Geoff Kabush picked up a third national title and Martin Bina continued his dominance in the Czech Republic. Other winners this weekend include Jamie Driscoll, Francis Mourey, Yu Takenouchi, Marcel Wildhaber and Kevin Eeckhout. Who do you think should be number one?

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US Cross – Week 10 Predictions

Posted on November 9, 2012 by

Jamie Driscoll leads the charge. Photo: Todd Prekaski.

The USGP of Cyclocross continues this weekend with a stop in Louisville, Kentucky. All eyes will not only be on the racers, but the course itself as the world gets a look at the venue that will play host to the World Championships in February. With a C1 race on Saturday and a C2 race on Sunday, this weekend is a pre-Worlds tune up for all involved. As far as the racing goes, Jeremy Powers has a commanding lead over Ryan Trebon in the series and will look to keep growing that lead. Chris Jones, Ben Berden and Tim Johnson are all on the outside looking in. A solid result from any of those riders could catapult them into contention for the overall. Here’s how I think things will play out:

USGP of Cyclocross – Derby City Cup Day 1 (C1)

The Winner

Jeremy Powers – out of the six C1 races held in the US, Powers has won five. The only one he didn’t win (Harbin Park), he wasn’t even there. Powers seems to be on another level this year and looks destine for a win in Louisville. I’m going with my gut and sticking with the heavy favorite.

The Podium

Ryan Trebon – Trebon has had a solid season and is always in contention for the win. Last year he nearly beat Powers on day one and could do the same on Saturday. While it wouldn’t shock me if Trebon won, I think Powers is till one step ahead.

Jamie Driscoll – after capping off a solid weekend in Cincinnati with a win at Harbin Park, Driscoll looks like he’s on some good form. I expect him to ride well this weekend and should podium on Saturday.

USGP of Cyclocross – Derby City Cup Day 2 (C2)

The Winner

Jeremy Powers – last year in Louisville, Powers went two-for-two en route to a USGP overall title. While he’s not unstoppable, I expect Powers to be victorious both days this weekend.

The Podium

Ryan Trebon – Trebon suffered a knee injury in Louisville last year that cost him the overall title and nearly cost him his season. With that bad luck behind him, look for Trebon to land on the podium again on Sunday.

Ben Berden – the veteran Belgian cross racer finished just off the podium last year in Louisville. With the strong season he’s having I expect him to do a bit better this weekend and finish on the podium on Sunday.

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European Cross – Week 9 Predictions

Posted on November 9, 2012 by

Francis Mourey wins Supercross baden. Photo: radsportphoto.net/Steffen Mussiggang.

After a wild week of racing, things calm down a bit in Europe this week. After a few weeks off, thanks primarily to two World Cup rounds, the Toi Toi Cup continues in Kolin, Czech Republic. On Saturday the Soudal Classics continue with Jaarmarktcross Niel, Belgium, while the Superprestige series continues on Sunday in Hamme-Zogge. On Sunday there are two UCI C2 races, one in Germany and one in Switzerland. Here’s how I expect things to shake up this weekend:

Toi Toi Cup – Round 5 (C2)

The Winner

Martin Bina – after finishing second in the first round of the Toi Toi Cup, Bina has rattled off three consecutive victories. Look for him to solidify the overall with another victory on Saturday in Kolin.

The Podium

Petr Dlask – Dlask has only landed on the podium once this season in a Toi Toi Cup race, but I expect that to change this weekend. Dlask has had success in the past in Kolin and that should translate to a podium finish on Saturday.

Michael Boros – the young Czech rider is always a podium threat. He’s in a tight battle with Dlask for second in the series and looks poised for another podium finish.

Soudal Jaarmarktcross Niel (C2)

The Winner

Sven Nys – Eric De Vlaeminck, Bert Vermeire and Roland Liboton have all won Jaamarktcross five times in their historic careers. On Sunday, Sven Nys should join that list when he picks up his fourth straight victory in Niel. The only other four-time winner is Bart Wellens, who admitted this week that even he thinks Nys will win.

The Podium

Niels Albert – the Albert/Nys show reached a crescendo last week in Zonhoven with one of the most exciting last laps in recent memory. What will these two do for an encore? My guess is a tight race with similar results as last weekend. Albert should keep it close, but I expect Nys to pull away and take a solo victory.

Aurélien Duval – I rarely take risks, but I’m going to give Duval a shot. The French National Champion had one of his best weeks ever last week and looks to continue that in Niel. If he rides like he did on the Koppenberg, a podium shot is not out of the question.

Rider to Watch

While New Zealander Alex Revell has received a lot of attention this season for his trials and tribulations in Belgium, another non-European rider will be joining him as Yu Takenouchi heads to Europe. The Japanese National Champion raced in Europe three times last year, with his best result being a 33rd place finish at the seventh round of the World Cup. Takenouchi proves that cross is global and is a rider I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Superprestige – Hamme-Zogge (C1)

The Winner

Sven Nys – after bailing on the Nys train the past few weeks, I’m going full bore into this weekend. Nys is undefeated through the first two rounds of the Superprestige series and I think things will remain that way. Last year he was pipped at the line by Kevin Pauwels (Zdenek Stybar took a solo victory) and had to settle for third. The won’t happen this year.

The Podium

Niels Albert – I actually like Albert’s odds on Sunday in Hamme-Zooge. The problem is Nys’ odds are just a little bit better in my mind. After another good battle, Albert will have to settle for second or third.

Kevin Pauwels – Pauwels has struggled this season for a variety of reasons, including bad luck and crashes. But when he is on, he’s capable of winning any race out there. I expect a good battle from the young Belgian, but I think he’ll have to settle for a lesser podium spot.

Entega City Cross Cup (C2)

The Winner

Johannes Sickmueller – with the absence of heavy hitters such as Christoph Pfingsten and Philipp Walsleben, Smickmueller becomes the favorite on Sunday in Lorsch, Germany. He has the most experience of any rider in the field and has had a solid start to the season. Look for him to win on Sunday.

The Podium

Michael Schweizer – the German U23 National Champion has slowly risen through the ranks and could pick up the win on Sunday. I think Sickmueller’s strengths outweigh Schweizer’s, which is why I’m giving him the edge on Sunday.

Ole Quast – after moving up to the elite ranks, Quast has struggled a bit outside of Germany. However, things appear to be turning around for the 24-year-old German. Look for him to podium on Sunday.

Internationales Radquer Frenkendorf (C2)

The Winner

Francis Mourey – Mourey has struggled a bit this year outside of France, but is always in contention at smaller races. I expect the former French National Champion to win in Switzerland on Sunday, but it could be a tough battle.

The Podium

Enrico Franzoi – the strong Italian rider has found great success this year in Switzerland and could very easily win on Sunday. While I’m giving the edge to Mourey, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Franzoi on the top step of the podium.

Simon Zahner – Zahner has had a very strong season thus far, including a top-ten finish at the first World Cup round. He’ll have his handsful on Sunday, but should be able to finish on the podium.

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