Cyclocross Worlds gallery: New gear, mud and Nutella
Cyclocross Worlds gallery: New gear, mud and Nutella
SRAM's CX1, unusual Di2 configurations and more
The SRAM CX1 group was installed on a few riders' bikes. Not yet released, the single-ring or "one-by" group has a long cage and roller bearing clutch mechanism
The SRAM CX1 group was installed on a few riders' bikes. Not yet released, the single-ring or "one-by" group has a long cage and roller bearing clutch mechanism - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Front view of the SRAM CX1 rear deraileur, which uses a straight parallelogram instead of the standard slant parallelogram - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The SRAM CX1 rear derailleur is matched to this single chain ring with obvious wide-narrow teeth and no form of chain guide - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The USA's Elle Anderson tops the run-up with her green Specialized CruX fitted with SRAM CX1 - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Anderson's SRAM CX1 single front ring - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The place every rider was aiming to reach first over the weekend - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Lars Van Der Haar during practice. The so far unnamed Shimano disc wheels he's been riding all season seem to have gained C35 decals, although they could be unofficial additions - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
There was an early crash in the men's juniors race. At the foot of the carnage were one Czech and two French riders, two rolled tubulars and two broken chains! - Robin Wilmott / Future Publishing
The junior race saw a Belgian clean sweep - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The juniors competed in some of the muddiest conditions all weekend - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Australia is another relative newcomer to cyclocross - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Aussies brought this unusual 'cross bike from Apollo. The longer seat stays and unusual, kinked top tube supposedly provide more compliance - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Perennial top French performer Francis Mourey's Lapierre bikes - one set up for the road, and one for practice - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Mourey chooses the one-piece PRO Stealth Evo carbon combo - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Lapierre's only top-end 'cross bike is designed to run either cantilevers or discs, with universal cable routing - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
A custom, mechanic-made front cable hanger bolts onto the underside of the stem, and also mounts the Di2 control box. Note the Di2 satellite shifter - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Lapierre's unused rear disc mount - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
This American team tool kit includes everything an on-the-road mechanic needs: compact case, trusted tools, electric inflator, lube, water... and Nutella! - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
GB 'cross champion Helen Wyman's Kona fitted with Easton's EC90 Aero 55 tubular wheelset and Challenge Limus tubs - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Wyman's disc brake-equipped bikes use different TRP calipers; this one had the Spyre - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Wyman's other bike on display was set up with TRP's clever cable-operated HY/RD hydraulic calipers - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Stef Wyman showed us this prototype Challenge tubular with more aggressive side knobs from the Limus mud tyre, and a central strip that is a little narrower than the Chicane, with a larger, grippier file tread. It's said to roll quickly, and at usual low 'cross pressures still grip well in a straight line due to the taller side knobs. There's no name for the tyre yet, but expect to see it on sale before next season - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
In spite of SRAM's hydraulic brake recall, this Swiss rider still raced with three hydraulic disc-equipped Bergamont bikes - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Hitting the mud for the first time was the last time any rider was ahead of the dominant Marianne Vos - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Vos took the title by over a minute, and the Netherlands went wild - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Just one of the special Belgian supporter's outfits - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The inevitable pile-up on the first passage through the deep rutted mud after the start of the under 23 event - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Wout Van Aert showed his class and simply rode away from the field - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Van Aert beat his compatriot Michael Vanthourenhout by 50 seconds, allowing him plenty of time to celebrate - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Dutch brought along a brass band - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Within sight of the border, the Belgian fans were extremely visible - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
These fans had warmed up properly for the main event - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
France's Francis Mourey led the men's race in to the first drop-off after the road start - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The start of the Zdenek Stybar and Sven Nys battle that everyone had come to see with Mourey getting distanced - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
New Zealand's Alexander Revell may have only finished 52nd, but his moustache gained him some of the most enthusiastic support of the race - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
The Nys-Stybar battle continued to entertain the huge crowd - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Nys enjoyed the majority of the crowd's support… - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
…but a mistake in the last half lap allowed Stybar to escape for his third world title - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
At the Cyclocross World Championships earlier this month, riders and mechanics hauled a smorgasbord of gear to Hoogerheide in the Netherlands. BikeRadar's Robin Wilmott was there with his camera to capture it all.
Click through the photo gallery at right for close-up shots of SRAM's not-yet-released CX1 drivetrain parts, interesting ways to route Shimano Di2 cabling, the particular tool-and-Nutella arrangements of a mechanic in the pits, and much, much more.
The nys-stybar battle continued to entertain the huge crowd: - Robin Wilmott/Future Publishing
Robin Wilmott is a freelance writer and bike tester. He began road cycling in 1988 and, with mountain bikes in their infancy, mixed experimental off-road adventures with club time trials and road races. Cyclocross soon became a winter staple and has remained Robin's favourite form of competition. Robin has always loved the technical aspect of building and maintaining bikes, and several years working in a bike shop only amplified that. Robin was a technical writer for BikeRadar for nearly a decade, and has tested hundreds of bikes and products for the site. He has also written extensively for Cycling Plus, Velonews and Cyclingnews.
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