THE FIRST WORLDS OF FEB 4 2005
THE FIRST WORLDS OF FEB 4 2005
By Eddie Arnet
It is too wet and cold this time of year to ride a roadbike and get a good workout. Cyclocross is the answer. Cyclocross is quick, intense, and straight to the point. The run, cycle and run exercise increases intensity but at a slower speed and with less windchill. Running keeps feet warm and flexes the toes.
IT IS TIME TO CHOOSE
Cyclocross was originally a way to keep fit during the off-season. Many of the best Euro road stars took part. It wasn’t long before peaking became so specific that riders could only choose a few 4 week periods during the year when they were at their best. These periods of peak performance were almost always reserved only for grand tours. There were fewer elite roadies and more riders who focused on cyclocross.
WILD WEB OF CYCLOCROSS
Cyclocross is wild and crazy because of this. The season began in 2004 and ended in 2005. They are not necessarily the most well-known. They must be great jumpers, runners, and bike handlers. They love rain, snow, and ice. They race when everyone else is relaxed.
We have great respect for pro cyclocross mountain bikers. Each of us has a year-long season to concentrate on. To race cyclocross, you have to be willing to sacrifice the off-season in order to overtrain and overreach. Alison Dunlop, who won six National Cyclocross titles as well as top World CX finishes, will be remembered for being the best MTB rider in history. Although Alison Dunlop is now semi-retired from mountain biking, many others are following her lead and trying to do the impossible. They are the most tough of the tough.
Let’s take a look at the top mountain bikers that made an impact at the World Cyclocross Championships held in St. Wendel (Germany). The race was held in the most ideal conditions for CX: snow, ice, and mud.
TOP CYCLOCROSS WORLDFINISHES BY MTBers
1. Belgian Sven Nijs won his first elite CX Worlds title at the age of
ELITE WOMENS CX WORLDS
Hanka Kupfernagel, Germany won her third Cyclocross World Championship with an average speed of 23 km/h. She finished in 4:02. SABINE SPITZ, (G) at 3. MIRJAM ELCHERS (Nl), at 4. LAURENCE LEBOUCHER, (F) at 6. DAPHNY VAN DEN BRAND, (Nl), at 12. WENDY SIMMS(Can) at 19. SARAH KERLIN, 24. JOSIE BEGGS 26. BARBARA HOWE
U23CX WORLDS
Czechoslovakian Zdenek Stebar won in a time limit of 5
JUNIOR WORLDS
This race was dominated by Davide Malacarne, an Italian. His winning time was 3