Sponsoring contract for UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup: Cortina Group upgrades its commitment

30.09.2010

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has signed a title sponsorship contract with the Belgian company Cortina Group for the Cyclo-cross World Cup.

Cortina Group, which owns the brands Patrick (sports and lifestyle shoes) and Safety Jogger (outdoor shoes and safety clothing) reinforces its commitment to the cyclo-cross discipline by becoming title sponsor for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cups. The series will be known as the UCI Patrick Cyclo-cross World Cup.

The UCI’s partnership with Cortina Group dates back to the 2007-2008 season, when Safety Jogger became presenting sponsor for the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup.

The President of the UCI, Mr Pat McQuaid, welcomes this enhanced collaboration: “The popularity of cyclo-cross is growing constantly, and Cortina’s commitment to the discipline is proof of that. The collaboration with our Belgian partners will reinforce this trend as it will lend significant support to the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, the discipline’s leading series.”

His enthusiasm is echoed by Cortina NV Marketing Director, Kim Braeckman: “Patrick Safety Jogger is happy to announce its continued collaboration with UCI cyclo-cross. The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup gives us a fruitful platform to communicate with our customers who use our line in safety shoes and safety wear. The Cyclo-cross discipline embraces the same dynamism and quality as we put into our footwear and textiles.”

The 2010-2011 UCI Patrick Cyclo-cross World Cup will include eight legs in six countries (Belgium, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the Czech Republic), opening with the round in Aigle, Switzerland, on October 17th.

UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup: Two out of two for Albert after win in Plzen

19.10.2009

World Champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) won the demanding second round of the Elite Men's race in the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger in Plzen, Czech Republic.

The 23 year-old Belgian bounced back from an extremely shaky start to attack during the fifth of eleven 2,4km long laps through the muddy meadows near Plzen. For the remainder of the race, Albert held onto a narrow lead that never extended to more than half a minute. He won ahead of Belgian Champion Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) and home favorite Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea).

By grabbing his second World Cup win in a row Albert strengthens his lead in the overall standings of the World Cup. Stybar and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Projob) remain in second and third overall.

Muddy conditions suit World Champion

After the race, Albert revealed that he liked the difficult conditions: "The course today, with the rain and the mud, is what I like,? he said. ?It was very slippery underground but still fast. These are the best conditions for me.?

He added that although he hoped to return to the Czech Republic in January for the World Championships in Tabór, he was not yet focusing on this race.

After an initial false start, all the riders had to line up again for the start. This time, both Albert and Sven Vanthourenhout (Sunweb-Projob) hesitated and lost a lot of positions. In the meantime Nys - who was positioned at the back of the starting field having failed to finish the first round of the World Cup in Treviso - gained a lot of ground and rode near Albert.

In the front, Stybar wasn't planning to sit around and wait for the two Belgians, and he rode alone at the head of the field. By the time Albert and Nys got back near the first chasers, they still needed to make up a gap of 14" on Stybar. From the third lap on, Albert was clearly the strongest man and he pulled away towards Stybar, with only Nys, Vantornout, Kevin Pauwels (Telenet-Fidea) and Francis Mourey (Française des Jeux) capable of catching up.

Albert raises the pressure mid-race

The pace dropped after Stybar was caught in the fourth lap, but after entering the fifth lap Albert raised the pressure. His efforts created little gaps behind him, and it became harder for the chasers to close those metres down. Albert built up a lead of twenty seconds, which wasn't a lot on the muddy but fast course. However, it proved to be enough for the World Champion.

The chasing group focused on second place, with Nys and Stybar being the strongest in the group. During the last lap Stybar led the group but eventually it was Nys who got past him in the last corner to grab second place, in front of Stybar, Pauwels and Mourey. Vantornout easily held on for sixth place, in front of a group that sprinted for seventh. Local star Radomir Simunek (BKCP-Powerplus) easily won that sprint ahead of Christian Heule (Switzerland), Enrico Franzoi (Liquigas) and Gerben De Knegt (the Netherlands).

The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger now heads to France where Nommay will host the third round on November 8.

Albert and Compton win first round of UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup

05.10.2010

World Champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) and Katherine Compton (USA) gave outstanding performances in the first round of the UCI's Cyclo-cross World Cup presented by Safety Jogger in Treviso on Sunday. Robert Gavenda (Slovakia) won a two-way sprint in the Men under U23 category while Emilien Viennet (France) won a tactical race in the Juniors Men category.

No competition for Albert

During the first lap of the Elite Men's race, some riders still believed they would be able to win the first round of the World Cup. Their hopes were dashed when Albert accelerated. Nobody was able to neutralize the 24 year-old Belgian's attack. Although it is not easy to create gaps on a fast course such as Lake Bandie, the World Champion extended his lead to one minute. Albert was never under any threat from behind and easily won the second World Cup round of his career. Czech Champion Zdenek Stybar (Telenet-Fidea) and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb Pro Job) launched a late counter-attack and joined Albert on the podium. Last year's winner of the World Cup, Belgian Champion Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet - Colnago), was unable to keep up with his compatriot, dropping back and eventually pulling out of the race.

Compton dominates Women's race

While Albert waited one lap before starting his solo, Katherine Compton didn't waste any time and attacked in the first of five laps. Early on she was joined by Daphny van den Brand (the Netherlands) but during the second lap the Dutch rider had to let go of Compton. Meanwhile Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (France) found her second wind and worked her way to third position, with a good gap over Sanne Van Paassen (the Netherlands) and Pavla Havlikova (Czech Republic). Compton didn't slow down and won convincingly. Behind her Van den Brand withstood the comeback from Ferrier-Bruneau while Van Paassen had a good final lap in her legs to take fourth place. Hanka Kupfernagel (Germany), last year's winner of the World Cup, didn't take the start in Treviso.

Gavenda outsprints Petrus

Christian Cominelli (Italy) was the local hero of the day in the Men?s Under U23 race as he sped away during the first laps of the race. About twenty riders caught up with the Italian and a tactical battle followed. With three laps to go, Gavenda and Lubomir Petrus (Czech Republic) jumped away and created a ten seconds gap over a group of five riders. Gavenda narrowly held off Petrus in the uphill sprint and behind them Cominelli sprinted to the remaining podium spot.

In the Juniors Mens race, Emilien Viennet saved the best for last in a tactical race. He won with a gap of four seconds over Gert-Jan Bosman (the Netherlands) and Matej Lasak (Czech Republic).

© www.uci.ch