Cyclocross World Championships Preview, Predictions, and Schedules

If you are a sports fan, this weekend could mean the beginning of a lot of TV watching. Yes, there’s some football game on Sunday, and the Olympics, which will hopefully have cyclocross in it some day, start later in the week. For cyclocross fans, Saturday and Sunday means early rising to watch the UCI Cyclocross World Championships, live from Hoogerheide, Netherlands.

History

This is the second time the world championships have been held in Hoogerheide. In 2009, there were many familiar names that won medals, and will be in contention again this year. Neils Albert (BEL) won  his first of two world championships, 20 seconds ahead of Zdenek Stybar (CZE), with Sven Nys (BEL) another 18 seconds back. The three would go dominate future men’s championships, possibly through this year’s race, as all three are scheduled to line up. Marianne Vos (NED) began her domination of the sport, taking her first of five straight wins in Hoogerheide. With an additional win in 2006, she is by far the most decorated women’s cross racer since the world title was held in 2000. Hanka Kupfernagel (GER) slotted in behind, and holds 10 medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze). Katie Compton (USA) received the bronze, and has taken silver three other times. Philipp Walsleben (GER) took the win in the U23 race, and will be one of the contenders after a strong season so far. Tijmen Eising (NED) was the Junior winner, but Corne van Kessel (NED) took silver, and will be competing this year in the elite men’s ranks. Alexandre Billon (FRA) took bronze, but has concentrated on a road carrier.

The Course

If you follow cyclocross, Hoogerheide should ring a bell besides the World Championships in 2009. The city has hosted a World Cup from 2007 through last season, with the only other absence being 2009. Adrie van der Poel hails from the town, and began to manage the race after retiring from a very successful road and cyclocross career. The course itself has not changed much over the years, and is not overly tough, compared to places like Koksijde, Belgium. There is a plateau that the riders will be forced to run or ride up a few times, but besides that, no major features. The 3,443 meter course is a mix of 13% road, 73% grass/meadow, and 14% forest. What remains to be seen is the condition of the course. With rain forecasted for Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday morning, the course could turn into a sloppy mess in some sections.

The course starts on an almost 250 meter long stretch of road, before making the first left on to the corner. This slight uphill drag could end someone’s hopes very quickly if their start is not perfect. Positioning for the possibly slick corner will be important, as the course drops down a steep embankment. After the drop, the course continues about 100 meters before the first of many 180 degree turns throughout the course. Riders will hit the pits early, and then about midway through the lap. Things will speed up as the course continues to lose elevation and wind through some high speed corners. Riders will need to watch their line as they head to the woods. The sandy soil will probably stay dry in Saturday’s rain, but could cause some crashes if riders are not paying attention.

After a section in the woods, the course drops to the lower field, which will be the muddiest section of the race. The riders will go over the flyover before hitting a section of 180 degree switchbacks that most will be forced to run in muddy conditions. The course moves back to the woods and climbs upwards to head to the upper section. Riders will emerge from the woods briefly, tackle and off camber downhill left turn, and then back to the woods. Watch for this turn to be a pivotal section of the course. Next up is a difficult, wide 180 degree switchback, with the riders eventually leaving the woods again. After hitting the pits again, riders will have a chance to recuperate from the technical section with a fast  stretch. It won’t be long though before riders face their next test, a down hill, off camber, 190 degree left around a tree that will be extremely slick in the wet. A short climb will be the next thing they see as they get around the tree.

Another long, fast section is next, before another set of 180 degree switchbacks. Before riders hit the finishing straight, there will be a series of climbs and descents. The first could prove decisive as riders will surely need to dismount, even in the dry. After the last steep climb, there is a sweeping right hand turn at the bottom of the descent, before one last climb to get to the straight. The final stretch will leave plenty of space for a final sprint, with the winner having the best legs for the final false flat to the finish.

Prizes

Men and Women will be on an equal prize level this year, with winners taking €3,667 or a little under $5, 000 USD. About $27,000 USD will be up for grabs.

Predictions

Now the tough part, who is going to win. There are favorites for each race, but that doesn’t always mean they will win. While the Belgians typically dominate and will have a strong backing from the crowd, watch for the Dutch to have a strong showing with the home country crowd backing them.

The Juniors’ race is a bit more open this year with Mathieu van der Poel (NED) moving up to U23. Adam Toupalik (CZE) has a solid shot, coming off of his World Cup series win, but as always, don’t count out the Belgians. With five riders in the top seven, Yannick Peeters (BEL) or Thijs Aerts (BEL) could also take home a win.

U23 might be a little more cut and dry. Van der Poel is continuing to make a name for himself, even in his first year as a U23. After a false start at the Belgian U23 championships, and subsequently being pulled from the race, Wout van Aert (BEL) will have extra motivation. Current champion, Mike Teunissen (NED), will be starting on the front row, but looks to be overshadowed by van Aert and van der Poel.

The head to head match up between World Cup series champion Katie Compton (USA) and current world champion Marianne Vos (NED) will be one of the highlights of the weekend. Compton might have started the season off slowly, but has come on to dominate just about every race she started. After an asthma attack last weekend at Nommany sidelined her early in the race, Compton has been resting and preparing mentally for the race which looks to be her best chance to bring home the rainbow stripes yet. Don’t count out Vos though. She might have taken part of the season off for minor back surgery, but has beaten Compton 3 out of the 7 times they have faced each other. With 6 world championships in cross, five in the last five years, she is not going to give up easily. Outside of these two, you can’t forget about British and European champion Helen Wyman (GBR), Nikki Harris (GBR), Sanne Cant(BEL) or another rider from the US contingent. The mud will work in Wyman’s favor as she is peaking at just the right time this season. Harris and Cant have been a solid threat to Compton all season in the World Cup series too. The stars and striped brigade will be just behind with Kaitlin Antonneau, Elle Anderson, Meredith Miller, and Crystal Anthony lining up 12th, 14th, 15th, and 16th respectively. A dark horse could be Gabby Day (GBR) who will start 13th. If she can bridge up to her teammates, the trio can be a serious threat.

The final race of the weekend will see multiple former champions battling for the coveted jersey. With Lars van der Haar (NED) in the number one spot, expect the youngster to take the holeshot. If he can keep upright on the technical sections, he could have a shot in his second year in the elite ranks. Just about any rider in the top 10 has a shot. Sven Nys (BEL), Niels Albert (BEL), Philipp Walsleben (GER), Klaas Vantornout (BEL), Francis Mourey (FRA), Kevin Pauwels (BEL), Tom Meeusen (BEL), Martin Bina (CZE), and Tom Peeters (BEL) all have a solid shot. Starting back in 34th, Zdenek Stybar (CZE) is a long shot if he can make it through the early traffic jams in the 180’s. He’ll need to spend a lot of energy to join the leaders, so look for him as an outside shot. The main battle will shape up between the Belgians. It might not be the blue train of 2012, but Nys, Albert, Vantornout, Pauwels, Meeusen, and Peeters will undoubtedly work together to close off the threats from out numbered nations.  Walsleben has had a great season though, and Bina has been in contention many times, with both riders taking big wins this season. Mourey has also been on form, and could make things painful for the Belgians. Meeusen has had some great form at the end of the season, and is an outside threat to probably leaders Nys and van der Haar. Starting deeper in the field, Jeremy Powers (USA), Tim Johonson (USA), and Ryan Trebon (USA) will have the best hopes to bring the championship across the pond, but should all be considered outside contenders.

Viewing 

For more info on how to watch the Cyclocross World Championships, the UCI has put together a sheet with official broadcasting info for live and delayed programming. For most, the UCI YouTube Channel will be the way to go. Below is the schedule, with start times translated to the Eastern time zone in the US. With Hoogerheide being 6 hours ahead, it will make for some early rises to catch the Junior and U23 races.

Feb. 1st
Junior Men – 5 AM Eastern / 10AM GMT / 11AM Hoogerheide Local
Elite Women – 9 AM Eastern / 2PM GMT / 3PM Hoogerheide Local

Feb. 2nd
U23 Men – 5AM Eastern / 10AM GMT / 11AM Hoogerheide Local
Elite Men – 9AM Eastern / 2PM GMT / 3PM Hoogerheide Local

Scott Kingsley

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