Niels Albert: “It’s time for real cyclocross once again”
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Monday, November 14, 2011

Niels Albert: “It’s time for real cyclocross once again”

by Ben Atkins at 10:17 AM EST   comments
Categories: Pro Cycling, Cyclocross
 
Belgian champion adds his voice to those hoping for the winter to arrive in Europe

niels albertAfter yet another fast, dry race in Sunday’s Superprestige in Hamme-Zogge, to the east of Gent, Belgium, Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) has added his voice to those wishing that winter would hurry up and arrive. Last week Sven Nys, cyclocross’ kannibaal, complained that the warm, late summer weather was making the courses too easy for his rivals; now, according to Sporza, the Belgian champion is echoing Nys’ words.

"Even Philippe Gilbert would have ridden into the top ten if he was here in Hamme-Zogge,” Albert told the Gazet van Antwerpen. “A lot of guys can handle that high pace, just look at the names and time differences; the first fifteen riders finished within a minute."

In 2010 both the Hamme-Zogge race, and the Jaarmarktcross in Niel in the week before, were won by Nys, as the course was reduced to unrideable slurry in parts by the usual autumn rain. The lack of rain, coupled with the unusually mild November temperatures, has left the ground firm and seen riders tackling races in virtual off-road pelotons as few are able to break away.

Like Nys though, Albert realises that there is nothing that he can do about the conditions, and that he must simply live with the fast dirt kermesses that the dry courses create.

"But it is what it is,” he conceded. “No one can do anything about the weather, and maybe that's a good thing. However, I have to tell you that if it’s the same next week it gets worse worse.

“It might,” he added, “it is high time for real cross once again."

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