Here’s what’s going on in cyclocross right now …
→ The professional cyclocross team run by Philip and Christophe Roodhooft, formerly KwadrO-Corendon, has found new sponsors after KwadrO ended its sponsorship and Corendon signed on with Mathieu van der Poel’s BKCP team. The new ERA Real Estate-Murprotec team is lead by up and coming star Laurens Sweeck. Also on the team coached by Marc Herremans are pro riders Radomik Simunek, Julien Taramarcaz and Diether Sweeck. The squad includes two riders without a contract: Kevin Cant and Henry Sweeck. Philip Rodhooft told Nieuwsblad Sportwereld that ERA and Murprotec are committed for one year. He added that it was difficult finding new sponsors while Laurens Sweeck was involved in the ozone therapy doctor case. Full story, in Dutch, is here: www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/dmf20150904_01850014
→ A related story about Laurens Sweeck and his first year in the pros also posted, today. He talks about his frustration with the doping inquiry and how he’s looking forward to competing against Wout van Aert and MvdP. Sweeck also predicts better seasons for Sven Nys and Tom Meeusen in 2015-2016. Full story, in Dutch, here: www.sport.be/nl/wielrennen/veldrijden/article.html?Article_ID=740156
→ Mathieu van der Poel is in it to win it, again. He talks about his injured knee and how that is affecting his preparation for CrossVegas. Without being able to train, he’s shooting for a top 10 in Vegas. MvdP is also looking to be more consistent this year and defend his world title. Full story, in Dutch [editor’s note: probably can just assume stories are in Dutch at this point], is here: http://sporza.be/cm/sporza/wielrennen/veldrijden/1.2431770
→ Simon Andreassen, the current Junior Cyclocross World Champion, added another rainbow stripe jersey to his collection by successfully defending his Junior XC MTB World Championship at Vallnord, Andorra.
→ Finally, here’s MvdP doing his impression of a mannequin above video of a woman in Korea dressed as a mannequin dancing to dub step. Talk soon …
