It is the end, my friends. The final cross race of the season. It's ok though, because next week, road season begins for real. But that is next week. Before the cobbles, we play in sand one more time.
Sven Nys in the sand at Middelkerke cross. Photo taken by Balint Hamvas, cyclephotos.co.uk, used with permission.
Oostmalle is a sand race, which is always fun. Also, it rained a lot this past week, and this morning my flat got bombarded in a hail storm.
As to who can still win the GVA series, there are two contenders: Kevin Pauwels and Zdenek Stybar. Pauwels already won the world cup this season, Stybar doesn't have a big title nor a series to his name. Zdenek also didn't kill himself in the tough-as-nails Caubergcross yesterday, so his legs should be a bit fresher.
1. Kevin Pauwels 154 punten
2. Zdenek Stybar (Tsj) 142
3. Sven Nys 124
4. Niels Albert 114
5. Tom Meeusen 98
6. Bart Wellens 85
7. Bart Aernouts 72
8. Sven Vanthourenhout 71
9. Klaas Vantornout 70
Stybar is twelve points behind Pauwels. That's a sizeable gap, but Kevin shouldn't feel too confident just yet. Points at the finish will be allocated as such: 25-22-19-17-16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 and 1 point. At the end of the second lap, there's a sprintermediate for 3-2-1 points. If there is a tie, than today's race results will decide who wins (so, Stybar will take it then, as he is the one who has to make up points).
Start time: 15h CET
Livestream links: http://sports-livez.com/
0 recs | 247 comments
More rain now
bang bang bang. HTFU folks!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Damn. More hail.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Old school cross racing!
Footage from 1956 :)
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
OHMYGOD
Lars VDH not on the podium!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Boy is getting ready for a vacation.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Aw, too darn cute
All the women raced with braids today, in honour of Daphny VDB’s final race
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Marianne's idea
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
the boss decides
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Boss Vos.
I like it.
majope - February 19, 2012
me too
Uphill - February 19, 2012
She's such a nice person!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Aw, SO nice!
Anyone seen any photos?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Ooh, great weather!
majope - February 19, 2012
snow!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Its going to be hard to top yesterday's show
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Hopefully Zdenek and Stybs will give us a good show
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
+1
majope - February 19, 2012
Hi, everybody, good day to you all.
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Hello
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Morning, Ruthann!
majope - February 19, 2012
Epic footage right now
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Bah. My Scrabble program won't accept "frite" as a word.
That’s not OT in a ’cross thread, is it?
majope - February 19, 2012
That's never off topic
you aren’t by any chance playing words with friends?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
No, I don't have a phone that will do that.
majope - February 19, 2012
Just playing against my Kindle.
majope - February 19, 2012
Oooh, did you all see that scarf with the WC stripes on it?
I want one of those!
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Come on guys, last show of the season. All in ffs.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Nys talks about the organisers playing favorite
by making the sand pits unrideable.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Sven
(white helmet!)
I don’t think I’m the favourite, those who didn’t race yesterday will be in favour. You can’t underestimate yesterday’s race. Also, the typical sand-race in Oostmalle is gone. Everywhere where is sand they put in loops so you have to get off the bike. Looks like they’re trying to give the advantage to certain people… Who? Those who can’t ride in the sand.
- Do you mean Pauwels?
Well… He lost the classification here last year, they maybe don’t want that to happen again. But I can’t win here anymore, so I don’t care. But if I still had a fighting chance, I would be annoyed.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pauwels: Yoah, actually I don't like the sand better this way
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
“There’s more running now, and I don’t like running”
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pauwels looks perpetually bewildered.
majope - February 19, 2012
Stybs
Everything is still possible. It’s sport, but Kevin has to have a bad day. I’ll just go for the win, and then we’ll see.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
good morning all
let’s wrap up the season with some good racing
gravel road - February 19, 2012
Stybs: Concentrate on the win, not the series lead
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Albert: Me favourite? Meh.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Went out on a ride this morning in shitty conditions.
Now the sun is shining and no wind.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Now you can sneer at the fair-weather cyclists out there in the sun.
majope - February 19, 2012
bastards looked at the forecast.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Cheaters!
majope - February 19, 2012
appalling
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Niels
I’m the favourite? Ha ha! I was always good here, but the sand is gone and that’s sad. I don’t want to criticize the parcours builders too much, cause it’s not always easy, but all the sand is cancelled cause you have to run through it all, and that’s too bad.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Aernouts: I look fwd to the end of term
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Vanthourenhout: Me favourite? Meh.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Thanks for the screenshots Ted
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Meeusen: Me favourite? Meh.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
lots of sand around.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Great screencaps, ted--thanks!
majope - February 19, 2012
Vantornout: Me favourite? Meh.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
The Many Faces Of Sandbagging, by Ted!
Thanks so much for these.
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Are cross-riders extra reluctant so say they're favourites?
Do they use the sandbags to have extra sandpits on the course?
TheFigurehead - February 19, 2012
I think they're all feeling pretty blergh
cause no one is really happy about the changes in race (except for perhaps Yoah, who is hard to judge)
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Big blue hat
TheFigurehead - February 19, 2012
Peeters: (I forgot, something about end of season)
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Oostmalle makes him happy
And he is looking forward to the end of the season so he can go party
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Nys v Albert
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
and they're off!
majope - February 19, 2012
Wait...they're casting shadows. The sun is out now?
Bah.
majope - February 19, 2012
It's Belgium
it might snow again in 5 minutes
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Heh, UK's been the same where I am
from rain to sun & back again every 5 mins. One minute it’s mid-winter, the next it’s spring – hard to dress for!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
I like this course...
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Did someone forget to flip the de-interlace switch, or is it me?
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
not watching on tv?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Yes I am
but all motion seems stripy.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
(eh, tv signal on the computer, I mean)
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
your tv is broken then
fine for me
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
What does that mean?
majope - February 19, 2012
TV = interlaced
every signal refresh alternates lines: first the even lines, next image the odd lines, then even again, etc. It’s a way to save bandwidth. Fine for analog but without any post-processing, it gives stripy motion on flat panels.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Okay, thanks.
majope - February 19, 2012
Pauwels on the attack
Stybs has to follow – there’s a sprintermediate after two laps
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Seriously, what good is this bit for anyone
but the sponsors?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pathetic sand section.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Albert pitting
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pauwels +8s
Yowsers. Stybar will have to work hard
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pauwels riding from the front.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Tik tok
Stybs catching up
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
good.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Go Stybar!!!
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Playing spot the Balint
on his knees why the pits there?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
*by the pits
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
??
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Balint Hamvas, the photog?
You know, dude I’m making a book with? I thought I spotted him on his knees by the pits just know. He normally wears a red jacket and a black hat, and can mostly be found in odd positions – lying in the mud and stuff like that.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
ahh, right.
how is it going with the writeup?
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Lots of work
as you can imagine
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
can't wait for the result!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
really, I have no idea.
3 or 12 months work?
(I know its tough to come up with the actual lines)
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Not twelve, no
My part started around new year’s, but I’m sure Balint’s been working on it for longer. He probably also has lots more work than me.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Sprintermediate
Pauwels +3pt
Stybar +2 pt
Gap: 13 points
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pauwels and Stybar together
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Go, pink bike!
majope - February 19, 2012
This might be boring if the rest of them weren't still reasonably close.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Hello, peloton
Wake up please!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Dear PdC CX fans
Just want to take the opportunity to say a huge THANKYOU!!!! for all your company over the season! Massive, enormous thanks to gs, as always, not only for all her fantastic information, calendars, answering my stupid Qs and translations, but also for getting me into this wonderful crazy sport in the first place – and the same to everyone else, because races are always more fun with company, and you lot have made me laugh SO many times over this particularly crappy autumn & winter, so much so that i can’t think of a CX thread without grinning!
I really appreciate you all! Thankyou!
(I’m gushing, but a) sincere & b) completely sober!)
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Aw, thanks for all your company as well
it’s much more fun with company
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Sober?
You are probably running around half naked with a glass of Champagne in your hand.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Hahahaha! I absolutely wish I was!
No, sat on the sofa, all jumpers & laptop!
(but, cava to watch the track with sounds like a bloody good idea!)
(oooh, or all the sloe gin I haven’t finished drinking yet!)
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
+1
paisley - February 19, 2012
Heh, and I should also, since she's too polite to do so
remind everyone to check out gs & Balint’s BOOK!
Look! It will be gorgeous! If you can afford it, order one now!!
http://cyclephotos.co.uk/book/
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Albert has the chase on
Yahoo
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Nys has woken up as well
Hulk it
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
morning
Is that Pauwels & Stybar in the lead?
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
nm - yes...I see it is...
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Morning: yes.
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Ok, just...
…Pauwels is trying to do a Cadel or something, isn’t he?
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Pauwels got a new puppy for new year's
the dog died after one day
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
That still makes me feel incredibly guilty for laughing when you first told us!
It’s not funny, but it’s so ridiculous, poor Kevin
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
is that real?
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Well, gs said it was true....
…make of that what you will!!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Yes, it's real
he got the puppy because his dog – which he had for like years and years – died.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
well, that makes sense...but I thought someone said the puppy died after one day.
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
He had a dog for a really long time
The dog died. This made him sad. So they gave him a new puppy to cheer him up. The puppy died after one day.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
oh, now that is very sad...
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
yes, it is
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Oh. My. God.
That’s terrible!
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
No wonder he always looks bewildered.
Never sure when Fate is going to kick him again.
majope - February 19, 2012
I sorta feel bad for not liking him
every time I remember the shit he’s been through. The puppy dying is nothing like having your brother pass away, during a cx race, live on tv.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
geez, I didn't know about that too. He's a freaking movie of the week.
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
+1
majope - February 19, 2012
Tim Pauwels crashed in the race in Erpe-Mere in 2004
probably died of a ruptured aorta. His manager at the time was Hans van Kasteren, current manager of Telenet-Fidea, which partly explains the horrified state he was in when Wellens had to go to hospital with heart problems.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
I'm glad it's not a TV movie
or the puppy would have been named Tim.
majope - February 19, 2012
oh, that's evil
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
also, unutterably awful writing...
…like one finds in TV movies.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
That's just dreadful
Since I heard that, I try to not be so mean
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Well, that's one category of Cadel he's failing at...
…no doubt.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
what category were you talking about?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
'Wheel sucking'...
Ed K - February 19, 2012
i.e., proving everyone wrong about that by being all 'attacking rider.'
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Right, right
I don’t know why I didn’t get that.
stupidface
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
That was a lovely rolled R!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Huh
Nys’ coach mentions that Sven has an objective today: the fastest lap
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Is there a prize for that?
majope - February 19, 2012
Cold hard cash
1000 euro for the fastest, 500 for second, 250 for third.
2.500 euro for the guy with the most fastest laps at the end of the series (Stybs has three so far, Sven two)
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
He needs it for his vacation plans, maybe.
majope - February 19, 2012
well, with 3 days off, he only needs about 250
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Nice!
If they draw, do they split the prize?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
dunno
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
If they draw
he who has the biggest winning margin, wins
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
do they win prizes for that in GVA?
Or is that SuperPrestige?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Sven has plenty vacation plans
Like, serious downtime
Four days in Dubai, three days shortski… and then preparation for the Olympics begin
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Do we have an idea how he'll shape up against the full-time MTBers?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
The Olympics parcours
is supposed to be pretty cx-like. In Beijing it wasn’t, and it was bloody hot there (Nys melts when it’s warm) and he was ninth there. Another top 10 should be possible, but he could also end up way back… less certainty for him there.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Hmmm, and a British summer can have some nasty weather!
I’ll do a little rain dance for Nys-day!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Crazy, but
that guy has a very clear vision of things
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Super professional
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
olympics have cx in them?
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
oh...mt bike?
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
+1
gravel road - February 19, 2012
Yep
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
if only!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Tommeke Meeusen had a flat
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Here comes Albert
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Fastest lap
so far:
Albert 6min, 6.8s
Nys 6min, 6.9s
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Bah
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
A trio in the lead
the world champ has caught up
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Everybody now getting a chance to wheelsuck.
Payback time.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
RAIN
Or snow
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Indeed.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Rain!?
Ed K - February 19, 2012
welcome to Belgium
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Well I grew up in New England...
…pretty much the same climate as far as I can tell.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
You get more rainy grey days in Belgium
And less full bore snow.
But the springtime “turn on a dime” weather changes are very similar.
CelticPride - February 20, 2012
Nys back in the second chase group
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Pink bike attacks
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
(and the guy on it)
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Go, pinkie! (and the guy)
majope - February 19, 2012
Styby attacks off the front! Go Pink Bike!
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Nys seems to have abandoned the chase...
…so Pauwels can pretty much start celebrating the series, no?
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Well, Nys was never going to win the series
His bike broke in Essen and he DNF’ed. One DNF is enough to ruin the series (I agree with José de Cauwer here, who thinks that each rider should their worst result of the series annulled)
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
I was thinking how many folks had to get between styby and pauwels...
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Ah, right
good thinking
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
basically, for there to be any chance, Stybar needs more bodies in this group...
…which is why Pauwels was very smart to go from the gun and force a selection early.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
I think Albert will win today
Looks very strong.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
About time he shows off his rainbows
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
he knows what to do........
finally.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Good battle now.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Stybar's road ambitions
“Which race do you dream of winning?”
(without hesitation) – Ronde van Vlaanderen!
(not this year though. won’t race on the road til May)
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
is he likely to be that good at the punchy climbs?
Ed K - February 19, 2012
For an hour, yes
haha
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
well played.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
10 mins, you mean!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
(thinking of his recent mega efforts that look SO good...
until he fades quickly!)
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
so Tour of Lankawi is not on his radar?
Uphill - February 19, 2012
HA!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Nog 2 ronden.
majope - February 19, 2012
Oh jeez Nys blew up completely didn't he?
Ed K - February 19, 2012
Yep
Dropped by the chase group. Went too deep yesterday?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
yesterday was insane...
…so hardly surprising.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
(Lizzie Armitstead is co-commentating on BBC2 track!)
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
For those of you into multitasking, they are showing the last few minutes of
yesterday’s stage of the ToO before they switch coverage to the World Cup Track meet, HERE.
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
"Green Mountain," queen stage.
Ruthann - February 19, 2012
Sultan
Uphill - February 19, 2012
I never thought I'd say it
but there’s too much cycling on tv today!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
* this comment in no way reflects the views and the opinions of the management ; )
paisley - February 19, 2012
truly...
…my computer can’t stream four races simultaneously.
Ed K - February 19, 2012
time for an upgrade.
(course, my eyes might explode)
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Or maybe to buy another laptop?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
I have 5 computers in this house already. I need more arms.
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Hmmm, like the Scheldecross Squid?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
That would make me truly fearsome.
Right now, I am just some(thing).
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
I wish John was around, to photoshop you squid-like!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
you are suspended for 1 week.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
I'll probably need it, to catch up with the racing!
CX on my laptop, track on my tv!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
don't like the new Liquigas kit...
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Albert away solo
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
wow, albert riding away
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Laatste ronde!
majope - February 19, 2012
ding ding, ding ding
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
alright, another beer please
Uphill - February 19, 2012
I have Leffe blonde, Leffe brown
Kriek, Chouffe, Palm and Wolf brown. Take your pick.
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
bring them all
Uphill - February 19, 2012
shall I also bring a bucket
for you to throw up in?
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Wolf, please.
I remember you mentioning it the other day.
majope - February 19, 2012
More snow!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Nys needs to keep Tommeke behind him
to ensure his third position in the GVA series
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Did he do it?
majope - February 19, 2012
yes
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
albert looks ready for more
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Albert way ahead at finish.
majope - February 19, 2012
Pink bike 2nd.
And that guy who rides it.
majope - February 19, 2012
Great win by the the holder of the Rainbow Jersey.
Chapeau.
Uphill - February 19, 2012
Nice way to end the season!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
gotta love the drunk fans falling onto the course when yoah crossed the line.
JustJoshinYa - February 19, 2012
Ah, I'll MISS the season!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Don't worry
next week we hit the cobbles. No time to mourn!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Cobbles!
majope - February 19, 2012
I know!
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Oh happy days!
And it’s Ronde van Drenthe on March 10th!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Nielske for the win
Stybar second – goodbye son. You’ll be missed
Pauwels third – great season kid
Nys fourth – don’t worry, I still think you’re awesome
Meeusen fifth – my new second favourite cross guy
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Where did my new joint-second favourite, the proudest dad in the world, come?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
dunno
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Thanks again, CX fans, for all the fun!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
+1
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Oh, if anyone fancies watching some track, it's live now,
and I’d love to answer any Qs from tracky-newbies on the thread!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Damn, that elimination yesterday was SO good!
Still AMAZED Trott’s tactics paid off!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
(wrong thread, soz!)
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Albert the champ
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Not as smiley as usual!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Hey, Ted (& everyone) did you see the end of the women's race?
Was it a gift or was Daphny just burning to beat Vos for one last time before she retires?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
No, no gift about it
tgsgirl - February 19, 2012
Good!
I love Daphny, that’s a very, very nice way to go!
Will she win Hasselt indoor?
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Looked pretty valid
but! she was spinning quite fast. Daphny said she asked Vos: “Did you gift me the win?” and that Vos replied, no, I didn’t have it anymore.
Meh. Well-played, I think.
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
Ha!
Funny/nice that Daphny said that she said that!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Was grandma Pauwels in a fight?
tedvdw - February 19, 2012
While I can well imagine her in a bar brawl, I hope she's ok
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
Balint has photos of the women in their Daphny plaits!
Here’s Helen Wyman
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
and
the telenet fidea team!
Sarah Connolly - February 19, 2012
no more CX ? oh well, at least Ronde/PR coming soon ...
and I better start training NOW for the coming season in October …
@Albertina/Maratsafin: how about a season summary report from you ? Would bve interested to know how you got on
Austrian_Jez - February 20, 2012
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