Wannabe Bike Girl

Video of the race and Francis winning.

Much to my delight, Francis Mourey won his fifth French cyclocross tittle. I know other people might care that it was Francis again, but as a huge fan of his, I don’t care. I’m extremely pleased and proud of him. It seems, from what I can tell, that he had to overcome some sort of mechanical problem, a puncture it seems (haven’t found an English report of the race yet). And then he had to outsprint Steve Chainel for the win. But seriously, I’m so happy for him. Five wins! I love seeing him race cyclocross in the France team kit. It makes me really happy and it’s easy to spot him.

There an interview with Francis in French here and final results listed here.

Cyclocross GP De Ster Sint-Niklaas 2010

I’m still here, alive and kicking as it were.

Let’s see, Francis failed to win any major race he was in (aside from the French Nats for cyclo-cross). First it was a crash, then mechanical failure, and then another crash. I’m not sure about the World Champs, but the other two World Cup races he could have won — and was in the position to win — but something managed to go wrong and he didn’t. I certainly hope his road season is better. And, hey, at least he wasn’t a DNS at the World Champs, just a DNF.

Am I bitter? Hell yes. But that’s the way sports works. Either you win or you lose, although in cycling, things are a little bit murky after second place.

Francis Mourey in Switzerland (12/09/07),
originally uploaded by singlestoph.

My favorite cyclocross rider proved himself tough competition again. After ruining his chances at the World Cup race in Milan, he came back with a win in Switzerland. Mourey beat the mud and 27 other riders to take the win at the GP Wetzikon.

Francis Mourey at the 2006 Cyclo-cross
World Cup in Igorre, Spain,
originally uploaded by itxaspe.

Tomorrow, Francis and the rest of the elite cyclo-cross riders will face off in Igorre, Spain. I’m excited, though I haven’t decided if I’m going to pay to watch it or just sleep in and wait for the results.

More info here.

Francis Mourey,
originally uploaded by Filip M.

Sometimes I get a little annoyed when a rider I like doesn’t ride one of the big races. Such was the case with Francis Mourey (who we all know I like). He tends to, for whatever reason, not race some of the bigger cyclo-cross races, which fine. But he’s being doing decent enough the in WC races and the Superprestige and so I was a little worried about what he was doing. I know, I’m an odd fan. And then I remembered that he’s, well, French. Why is that important? Because there’s a set of cyclo-cross races that take place in France.

Francis won the first of the Challenge de la France Cycliste earlier this fall, and on Sunday? He won the second one. All is forgiven (though it’s not like I could watch these anyway).

You know what really makes me like cyclo-cross? While road cycling, and some track, is focused on teams helping individuals, most cyclo-cross (especially in Francis’ case) is individual-based. Sure, Francis still rides for Française des Jeux (as in the picture to the above, which is from the TDF), and he rides for France, but he doesn’t have teammates protecting him or whatever. He’s fighting against everyone — and many times coming out on top.

I hope he keeps doing well.

So, okay. Sven Nys won again, big deal. Well, yeah, people like it when Sven Nys wins, and I don’t really have a problem with it. He’s fun to watch and, well, good. But, man, it’s the guy in the second place spot that matters to me. After a couple of so-so cyclo-cross results at the end of October/beginning of November, Francis Mourey managed to do what I love and come in second (best is first, of course, but when you’re up against Nys …).

Elite (40 starters)
1 Sven Nys (Bel) Rabobank
2 Francis Mourey (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Bart Wellens (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team
4 Klaas Vantornout (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team
5 Kevin Pauwels (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team
6 Erwin Vervecken (Bel) Fidea Cycling Team
7 Niels Albert (Bel) Palmans-Cras
8 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Fidea Cycling Team
9 Richard Groenendaal (Ned) AA Sport Drinks
10 Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Lampre-Fondital

I’m pretty damn proud of him for that. I know, people will probably wonder why I’m so eager to accept a second place — because I know that Mourey is good and this proves it. He wins smaller races against pretty decent competition, and he can hold his own with the best of them. Bart Wellens was wiping the floor with Mourey a couple of years ago and now Mourey took second from him? Pretty awesome.

I didn’t get to watch it, but as always, cyclingnews has a decent race report.

Mourey out of ‘cross Worlds?

Francis Mourey, one of the dark horses for this year’s cyclo-cross World Championships, might not be able to make the start line. According to the Belgian press, the French winner of the World Cup race in Treviso was out to pre-ride the course on Friday when he crashed hard on his face. He was taken to the hospital, and while nothing serious was found, he will remain overnight for observation.