It's far from being XC; roots, rock gardens, etc are never going to be in CX; I'd just like to see a few more challenging courses that aren't a test of who has the most power; the skills/technical side is important, so that a skilled rider can make the difference. It's very rare we see that in current CX.....UpFromOne wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:27 pmIf the various orgs are trying to gain IOC certification as a winter sport, then how do you prevent CX from morphing into XC in the wiinter? Aside from the bike differences, harder CX courses might become just that, and if so, the Olympic attempt could become a non-starter since XC is already there.
So what will future pro CX look like then?
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Skills will only make a difference between riders that are closely matched in terms of power - the course,as long as it is a reasonable CX course, won't matter. The problem with competition in mens' CX is that for the lest few years WVA and MVP are so far ahead in terms of power that they will win whether a course is technically demanding or not. Of course they both have extraordinary technical skills with MVP otherworldly, so they'd likely win even without the power advantage. When neither is present you get exactly what you are looking for, a more competitive race. And the women's racing has been fabulous for years - nothing wrong with the courses.BenSiskri wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 4:33 pmIt's far from being XC; roots, rock gardens, etc are never going to be in CX; I'd just like to see a few more challenging courses that aren't a test of who has the most power; the skills/technical side is important, so that a skilled rider can make the difference. It's very rare we see that in current CX.....UpFromOne wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:27 pmIf the various orgs are trying to gain IOC certification as a winter sport, then how do you prevent CX from morphing into XC in the wiinter? Aside from the bike differences, harder CX courses might become just that, and if so, the Olympic attempt could become a non-starter since XC is already there.
So what will future pro CX look like then?
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The world class guys make it look easy but even on "non technical" courses going FAST on a drop bar bike with 33mm tires requires a lot of skill. Everything is harder when you are going fast.BenSiskri wrote: ↑Thu Dec 16, 2021 4:33 pmIt's far from being XC; roots, rock gardens, etc are never going to be in CX; I'd just like to see a few more challenging courses that aren't a test of who has the most power; the skills/technical side is important, so that a skilled rider can make the difference. It's very rare we see that in current CX.....UpFromOne wrote: ↑Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:27 pmIf the various orgs are trying to gain IOC certification as a winter sport, then how do you prevent CX from morphing into XC in the wiinter? Aside from the bike differences, harder CX courses might become just that, and if so, the Olympic attempt could become a non-starter since XC is already there.
So what will future pro CX look like then?
Except in the instance of high speed drop offs while racing in the Olympics.
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He already has beaten Mvdp once last year
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Never in doubt! (In the CX)
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Yup todays CX was a proper one, table tops, roundey carosels, stairs, and some sand. Watching Pidcock deliver today was absolutely stunning and the post interview was pretty awesome. Nothing wrong with todays CX course IMO and this is what brings me to watch CX. Racing in the snow needs lots of improvement like Mr Gib says and I wouldnt miss it if we never see it again, that and the mud slogs were running determines the winner. Kinda feel for Iserbyt as he was riding a great race and getting mugged in the end.
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Yeah Eli is not good in the Sand and jumps too slow
Nice win on a course that wouldn't really play to his strengths. Adds an Elite CX World Cup win to his Elite XCO World Cup win in Nove Mesto - and joins a very small club who have won both.
And in this calendar year has won a World Tour road race, Elite XCO World Cup, Olympic MTB Gold medal, and now an Elite CX World Cup; pretty much unprecedented in mens cycling.
And in this calendar year has won a World Tour road race, Elite XCO World Cup, Olympic MTB Gold medal, and now an Elite CX World Cup; pretty much unprecedented in mens cycling.
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I suggest you do some research on the history of cyclocross, it's varied courses (running is why cyclocross was invented, riders training in cold conditions would get off their bikes and run with them to warm up their feet) are what it has always been about. I've raced cross for almost 30 years, I never did particularly well on run heavy courses but the next week the course might favor me and that's what's so cool about it.bikeboy1tr wrote: ↑Sat Dec 18, 2021 4:28 pmYup todays CX was a proper one, table tops, roundey carosels, stairs, and some sand. Watching Pidcock deliver today was absolutely stunning and the post interview was pretty awesome. Nothing wrong with todays CX course IMO and this is what brings me to watch CX. Racing in the snow needs lots of improvement like Mr Gib says and I wouldnt miss it if we never see it again, that and the mud slogs were running determines the winner. Kinda feel for Iserbyt as he was riding a great race and getting mugged in the end.
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Yeah I am not too concerned about the history as I am with the here and now and I did race it years ago on our local scene. I am too big for running so never enjoyed that part of it and never cared for sand either but if a loop has a large portion of running because too much snow or the mud is too deep than it doesnt interest but I do agree running is a component of it all. Most these athletes are very good runners as well but I would still rather see them riding stuff that most others are running. Once again this is just my opinion.bikeboy1tr wrote: ↑Sat Dec 18, 2021 4:28 pmNothing wrong with todays CX course IMO and this is what brings me to watch CX.
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Namur today was the most technical it's ever been. Even exposed roots & rocks, and points where riders paused.
Current XC is like enduro of old, and at this rate CX may become like vintage mtb degree of difficulty.
Plus I doubt CX will make it as a winter Olympic event. The snow experiment was fun, but it limits the course variety, and it's just not CX now, is it?
Current XC is like enduro of old, and at this rate CX may become like vintage mtb degree of difficulty.
Plus I doubt CX will make it as a winter Olympic event. The snow experiment was fun, but it limits the course variety, and it's just not CX now, is it?
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It looked like CX to me. They pedaled some, ran some and the same racers were at the front racing for the win.