Nijs masters the Koppenberg
Nijs has stomped his authority on the Koppenberg race again this year. If you've never seen this race make a point to do so. Very nice parcours that takes in the cobbled lower slopes of the famous Koppenberg climb of Ronde fame. It is a course where there is no place to hide, a riders' power is put to the test on the steep uphill grades and their skills are put to the test on the steep, off-camber downhills. Yesterday's race did not disappoint as a week of wet weather finally has created proper cross conditions in Belgium. A surprise rain storm just prior to the start of the elite race apparently caused quite a bit of consternation (see exhibit A) on the opening laps as the course was much more slippy than expected and riders had too much air in their tires or even the wrong treads.
(Exhibit A)
The Frenchman John Gadret in his first serious cross outing of the year displayed the climbing prowess on the Koppenberg that was on show in the Giro this year before he was felled by a broken collarbone. He ended up 3rd on the day after looking like a possible winner in the first half of the race. It wasn't until the 2nd half of the race that Nijs went to work and once again distanced all his rivals. For the 3rd year running all indications are that Njis will yet again "Merckx" the rest of the elite cyclocross riders. Wellens had his own Merckxian year 4 seasons ago but has not been able to clearly elevate himself above the rest of the top runners since. Meanwhile the young guns continue to impress as Simunek Jr took a tactical win at the Tabor WC and Kevin Pauwels took a fine second to Nijs at the St. Michielsgestel Race, not to mention Alberts and Stybar continuing their impressive riding. At the other end of the spectrum Groenendaal isn't done yet, taking the 2nd step on the podium at the Koppenberg race and a third at his home town race of St. Michielsgestel. Another rider who has hit the big time after showing up on the radar last year for the first time in Klaas Vantornout. Meanwhile two of the Belgian stalwarts, Commeyne and Vannoppen, have not lifted their form following off years last season. In fact, Vannoppen who a few years ago was really one of the top riders has slipped even further this year and is nothing more than pack fodder. Something must be seriously wrong with him. At an age when he should be reaching his peak, he's no longer worthy of a professional contract. On the US front, Page has yet to return from his dislocated shoulder/torn rotator cuff injury.
Nijs riding alone on the Koppenberg.
Our little pill party here in NC is heading out to the mountains surrounding Boone this weekend. I've decided to go. For some masochistic reason I'm hoping for a race that features some real climbing.
(Exhibit A)
The Frenchman John Gadret in his first serious cross outing of the year displayed the climbing prowess on the Koppenberg that was on show in the Giro this year before he was felled by a broken collarbone. He ended up 3rd on the day after looking like a possible winner in the first half of the race. It wasn't until the 2nd half of the race that Nijs went to work and once again distanced all his rivals. For the 3rd year running all indications are that Njis will yet again "Merckx" the rest of the elite cyclocross riders. Wellens had his own Merckxian year 4 seasons ago but has not been able to clearly elevate himself above the rest of the top runners since. Meanwhile the young guns continue to impress as Simunek Jr took a tactical win at the Tabor WC and Kevin Pauwels took a fine second to Nijs at the St. Michielsgestel Race, not to mention Alberts and Stybar continuing their impressive riding. At the other end of the spectrum Groenendaal isn't done yet, taking the 2nd step on the podium at the Koppenberg race and a third at his home town race of St. Michielsgestel. Another rider who has hit the big time after showing up on the radar last year for the first time in Klaas Vantornout. Meanwhile two of the Belgian stalwarts, Commeyne and Vannoppen, have not lifted their form following off years last season. In fact, Vannoppen who a few years ago was really one of the top riders has slipped even further this year and is nothing more than pack fodder. Something must be seriously wrong with him. At an age when he should be reaching his peak, he's no longer worthy of a professional contract. On the US front, Page has yet to return from his dislocated shoulder/torn rotator cuff injury.
Nijs riding alone on the Koppenberg.
Our little pill party here in NC is heading out to the mountains surrounding Boone this weekend. I've decided to go. For some masochistic reason I'm hoping for a race that features some real climbing.
posted by Venga, Venga, Venga! at 6:50 AM
2 Comments:
good stuff wayne, expecially the pixs of the koppenberg.
lv,dccofD
Yo Dr Wayne...we miss you here in DCCofD land. Hope this weekend's racing went well for you. Mine was typical, spurts of really fast broken up by longer periods of really slow...
CU soon?
PI
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