Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cyclocross World Champs prediction

I just watched the last lap from Milan. How strong does Boom look at the start of the lap? He just lacked the techniques when it mattered - too big a gear and too little momentum = foot down = Nys! I don't think he'll be doing that again, so he's my tip for the Worlds' win. Second, if I was a betting man I'd go with Stybar. He's been looking so strong since Christmas, and shown he's more versatile than some (Wellens) say he is, coming second in the quagmire at Roubaix. Third - got to be Nys, but I don't think he'll win.
Outside bet - Vervecken. You can't write him off, and with World Cup wins at Roubaix and Koksijde, he's already shown this season that he's got the legs.
The Brits - I reckon Jody could get top 15. Winning the Nationals must have been a massive confidence boost, so hopefully he's put Koksijde behind him and is ready to mix it with the guys he was beating there until he crashed (he was ahead of Page and Groendaal for instance). Last prediction - Jody to beat all the Americans!

Prediction:
1 - Boom
2 - Stybar
3 - Nys
Top 15 - Jody C

Monday, January 26, 2009

London League 15: Herne Hill


No pics from me, just of me — I was racing. This was my 9th result for the series and I came 4th, 3 and a bit minutes behind the National Champion Jody Crawforth. This puts me up into 4th place overall in the London League standings, with one race to go. Nigel Ling is only 2 points in arrears so I have to race next weekend just to make sure he doesn't bag the win while everyone is off watching the World Champs in Holland.
It was so muddy yesterday, I had to wash my bike three times: first using the Jet Wash at the garage, second in the bath, third bit by bit in the sink to pick out bits of grass and wash the bearing of my jockey wheels clean. It was good to get a result, but I was questioning whether it was worth it when I was getting shouted at for bringing so much filth into the flat... Cross is great isn't it?!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

National Cyclocross Championships

I was 26th. Pleased with that, although less happy about being lapped. Next year I'm going for top 20 and not being lapped. Here's a vid, you can see me a couple of times at the beginning. Looks like a cracking race at the front.