Jeroen
Rigid Fork Service Centre
Dah ich mir etwas besser ausdrücken kann in English, hier meine gedachten in English;
It seems that cyclocross is gaining in populairity ones again. On local races more and more youngster compete with each other on well organized races. For my own country, the Netherlands, I almost would say that there are more youngsters racing cyclocross than for instance mountainbiking.
I've always had a a strong passion for cyclocross. Part of this is to blame on the fact that Richard Groenendaal lives about 5km from my house and the whole region is pretty bike-minded.
When I see the current Elite races, the World Cups, the Super Prestige etc. I notice that each time the races turn out fairly the same. Places 1-10 are all for Belgium, 1 (or some 2) Dutchmen and at most 1 Czech. Each time the whole field is doubled and the gab between the front 10 men, and the rest is inmens huge!
Thing I ponderd about is wheither Cyclocross has to change or not. Not the sport itself, but something like the WorldCup. Cool.. but why do they call it World Cup, when its only in Europe?
In the States there is a strong movement on cyclocross and I think the overall field of crossers should expand more.
This would give the sport another big impulse. Now the sport is more a Belgian-Dutch 'townrace'.. which has its own unique smell and taste. Fine by me, and trust me, Ive been to some, it really breaths atmosphere... But Im afraid that the sport will bleed itself to death, when it will stay this way.
What I say at the World Championship in Zolder begin this year, was really inspiring. Thousands and thousands of people from all over the world gathered to see the galls/guys ride... The field was also pretty scathered with different nationallities. I think that showed there is clearly enough interest in the sport over the whole world...
What do you think of this? Should the sport/mentality chance in favor of a more expanding field and more reall world sport???
Give me your opinions/views upon this one.
Zolder 2002:
Jeroen
It seems that cyclocross is gaining in populairity ones again. On local races more and more youngster compete with each other on well organized races. For my own country, the Netherlands, I almost would say that there are more youngsters racing cyclocross than for instance mountainbiking.
I've always had a a strong passion for cyclocross. Part of this is to blame on the fact that Richard Groenendaal lives about 5km from my house and the whole region is pretty bike-minded.
When I see the current Elite races, the World Cups, the Super Prestige etc. I notice that each time the races turn out fairly the same. Places 1-10 are all for Belgium, 1 (or some 2) Dutchmen and at most 1 Czech. Each time the whole field is doubled and the gab between the front 10 men, and the rest is inmens huge!
Thing I ponderd about is wheither Cyclocross has to change or not. Not the sport itself, but something like the WorldCup. Cool.. but why do they call it World Cup, when its only in Europe?

This would give the sport another big impulse. Now the sport is more a Belgian-Dutch 'townrace'.. which has its own unique smell and taste. Fine by me, and trust me, Ive been to some, it really breaths atmosphere... But Im afraid that the sport will bleed itself to death, when it will stay this way.
What I say at the World Championship in Zolder begin this year, was really inspiring. Thousands and thousands of people from all over the world gathered to see the galls/guys ride... The field was also pretty scathered with different nationallities. I think that showed there is clearly enough interest in the sport over the whole world...
What do you think of this? Should the sport/mentality chance in favor of a more expanding field and more reall world sport???
Give me your opinions/views upon this one.
Zolder 2002:
Jeroen