Just finished uploading the epic version of 2007 cyclocross worlds. Enjoy!
Archive for June, 2007
I just got the low score in tetris at Nys’ arcade.
Groenendaal’s announcement about moving to AA Drink from Rabobank got me thinking more about his current relationship with Nys. There is some bad blood brewing between the two, and while I don’t understand all the details, the photo below from this year’s last Superprestige is quite telling. Nys won every single race in the series, and in this last one he and Groenendaal rolled to the line together. It was expected that Nys would let Richard win, but instead attacked in the last meters to take the win. Apparently Nys had quite a gap on the field, and then slowed, waiting for the field. Once they reached him, he attacked again and took the win.
Some quotes
Groenendaal, 2nd place and giving the finger:
We are the mice and Nys is the cat. Everybody saw it once again, Nys is the strongest around. Nys likes this game and I’m playing along. Of course he’s allowed to come back on us as we’re all fighting each other. There should be another competition for him, but I’m afraid that he’ll race with the 125cc motor bikes then.
Gerben De Knegt, also on Rabobank and 10 seconds back in 3rd:
I took for granted the win would be for Groenendaal as he is leaving the team and he could use a victory. Nys ultimately came back on him, I think that was sad.
Sven Nys, winner:
I came back [on Groenendaal] because I want to win all events in the Superprestige series. With my seventh victory I’m already doing better than Roland Liboton. Groenendaal will be disappointed but he has to realize that thanks to me he could create the gap; I always served the team’s interests and from then on I felt the best should win.
I’m not saying that Nys should have gifted him the win, just that there is some emotion between the two. How will the dynamic change now that they are on different teams? Who knows, maybe there will be less tension, or maybe the gloves will come off for some bare knuckle cross action. Only time will tell…
It was announced today that cross legend Richard Groenendaal has signed a two year contract to race cyclocross for AA drink. AA Drink (after activity drink) is historically an all womans cycling team, but Groenendaal will extend the team’s reach into men’s pro cyclocross.
The 2000 cyclocross World Champion leaves an eleven year career at Rabobank after receiving an unexpectedly low offer this year. Cyclingnews quotes Groenendaal on leaving the Rabobank squad:
I will ride for two more seasons. Afterwards, I would have liked to work within the team as an adviser for the cyclo-cross team, but that was not offered. That hurts more than the low offer. With my know-how and experience, I have lots to offer. Oh well, I can use this somewhere else now.
Looks like his know-how and experience will now go to AA Drink, their riders and sponsors. He’ll be riding frames by Koga-Miyata, and as they don’t currently offer a cyclocross bike, Richard has been helping with design. It’ll be interesting to see what detail comes to this first generation rig designed by an old school cross hard man.
I’m excited to see Richard on a new team, and next time we have one of those Nys vs Groenendaal battles, all the “they are team mates” arguments can be tossed aside.
Take a sip ladies and gentlemen, it’s on.
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