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INTERNATIONAL CYCLO-CROSS
for all categories
on November 30, 2008 in Niederanven


www.comat.lu www.niederanven.lu www.ost.lu


ACCES



The Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven takes place in Oberanven/Niederanven around the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand » (Adress : Am Sand, rue Routscheed L-6999 Oberanven). Oberanven and Niederanven are located in the municipality of Niederanven, North-Eastern from Luxemburg-town and around 5 kilometers from the Airport. To come to the event, you can leave the A1 Motorway Luxemburg - Trier at the exit 9 "Senningerberg", then follow the National road 1 in direction Grevenmacher until Niederanven. 200 meters after the church, the road to the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand » starts at your left, next to the commercial area "Match"


Map: www.viamichelin.com

The start is located in the rue du Coin in Oberanven, next to the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand ».
The finish is located in the rue du Coin in Oberanven, next to the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand ».
The permanent office is in the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand », rue Routscheed, L-6999 Oberanven and it is open from 11h00 o'clock to 17h00 o'clock.
Showers and changing rooms are in the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand », rue Routscheed, L-6999 Oberanven
Possible anti-doping controls are in the changing rooms of the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand », rue Routscheed L-6999 Oberanven
Parking for the riders is located in front of the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand », rue Routscheed L-6999 Oberanven
Parking for spectators are available in and around the rue Routscheed in Niederanven, notably next to the shopping center. More spots should be available in the rue du Kiem or the rue de Trèves.

Map: ACC Contern / Administration du Cadastre et de la Topographie www.etat.lu/ACT

COURSE



The 34th International Cyclo-cross of the ACC Contern is hosted on a course of 2.600 metres. It is hilly and composed as follows: meadow 1.500 metres, asphalt 900 metres and non-paved road 200 meters. The main characteristics of the course are an unpaved uphill portion, some parts on the road, two short run-ups, and technical portions on the grass.
The double pit-stops are located at 400 and 1700 meters, counting from the finish line. They are seperated one from another by 1200 metres respectively 1300 metres on the course.


The start is located in the rue du Coin in Oberanven, next to the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand ».
The finish is located in the rue du Coin in Oberanven, next to the Centre Culturel et Sportif « Am Sand ».





PROGRAM



12h00 - 13h30: Registrations Grand-prix Comat
  centre culturel et sportif "Am Sand"
13h30 - 14h30: Registrations Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven
  centre culturel et sportif "Am Sand"
14h00 - 14h45: 21st Grand-prix COMAT
  international cyclo-cross for women, novices and juniors
14h45 - 15h00: Award ceremony 21st Grand-prix Comat
  podium next to the finish line
15h00 - 16h00: 2nd Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven
  international cyclo-cross for elite and U23 riders (Cat. UCI C2)
16h00 - 16h15: Award ceremony GP Commune de Niederanven
  podium next to the finish line
17h00 - 18h00: Prize distribution and closing ceremony
  Centre culturel et sportif "Am Sand"

The races for young riders (Yuppi's Trophy) have been postponed to a later date.



REGULATIONS



Regulations - 2nd GP de la Commune de Niederanven:

  • The 2nd Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven is held on Sunday, November 30, 2008 according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Fédération du Sport Cycliste Luxembourgeois (FSCL). Start of the race is at 15h00 o'clock in Oberanven (rue du coin behind the sport- and cultural centrum "Am Sand").

  • Organizer is ACC Contern, represented by its president, Mr Marcel Gilles, 55, rue des Maraîchers, L-2124 Luxembourg, Tél (+352) 43 66 49 and its secretary, Mr. Eugène Stirn, 19, rue Jules Fischer, L-1522 Luxembourg ; Tél : (+352) 49 27 11, Fax (+352) 29 77 72, e-mail :eugstirn@pt.lu

  • The length of the race has to approach 60 minutes as much as possible. The exact number of laps to be covered will be decided by the jury during the event.

  • It is an International Cyclo-cross, registered in the calendars of the FSCL and the UCI (catégory C2) and open to elite and U23 categories .

  • ATTENTION: The Luxemburgish Cycling Federation (FSCL) can forbid a foreing rider to participate in the race if he hasn't the necessary written authorisation from his own National or Regional Federation to participate in that race.

  • Registration is on the day of the race between 13h30 and 14h30 o'clock in the Sports- and cultural centrum "Am Sand", rue Routscheed, L-6999 Oberanven.

  • Only one result list is established. (no seperate rankings for U23 riders).

  • Two material pits are at the disposal of the riders on the circuit and they are controled by a commissaire

  • The award ceremony takes place immediately after the finish on the podium next to the finish line. The three first riders of the race, the best Luxemburgisch rider and the best U23 rider are invited to attend it.

  • Prices are according to the FSCL and UCI regulations

  • The jury is composed as follows:
    International UCI commissaire : Claudine Conter
    President of the jury : Claudine Conter
    Race director : Eugène Stirn
    Commissaires : Fernand Grethen, Nico Wagner, Norbert Steichen, Jean-Paul Zender
    Time taker : Tony Goedert
    Judge at the finish : Jemp Baum
    Technical secretaries : Fernand Graffé, Paul Wester
    Office : Josy Gindt, Roger Langers

    Regulations - 21st Grand-prix Comat:

  • The 21st Grand-prix Comat is held on Sunday, November 30, 2008 according to the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Fédération du Sport Cycliste Luxembourgeois (FSCL). Start of the race is at 14h00 o'clock in Oberanven (rue du coin behind the sport- and cultural centrum "Am Sand").

  • Organizer is ACC Contern, represented by its president, Mr Marcel Gilles, 55, rue des Maraîchers, L-2124 Luxembourg, Tél (+352) 43 66 49 and its secretary, Mr. Eugène Stirn, 19, rue Jules Fischer, L-1522 Luxembourg ; Tél : (+352) 49 27 11, Fax (+352) 29 77 72, e-mail :eugstirn@pt.lu

  • The length of the race has to approach 30 minutes as much as possible for the novice and women categories as well as 40 minutes for the juniors. The exact number of laps to be covered will be decided by the jury during the event.

  • It is an International Cyclo-cross, registered in the calendar of the FSCL and open to women, novice and junior riders .

  • ATTENTION: The Luxemburgish Cycling Federation (FSCL) can forbid a foreing rider to participate in the race if he hasn't the necessary written authorisation from his own National or Regional Federation to participate in that race.

  • Registration is on the day of the race between 12h30 and 13h30 o'clock in the Sports- and cultural centrum "Am Sand", rue Routscheed, L-6999 Oberanven.

  • Two result lists are established, one for the women and novice categories and one for the junior category. (no seperate rankings for women).

  • Two material pits are at the disposal of the riders on the circuit and they are controled by a commissaire

  • The award ceremony takes place immediately after the finish on the podium next to the finish line. The first novice, the first junior and the first woman are invited to attend it

  • Prices are according to the FSCL and UCI regulations

  • The jury is composed as follows:
    International UCI commissaire : Claudine Conter
    President of the jury : Claudine Conter
    Race director : Eugène Stirn
    Commissaires : Fernand Grethen, Nico Wagner, Norbert Steichen, Jean-Paul Zender
    Time taker : Tony Goedert
    Judge at the finish : Jemp Baum
    Technical secretaries : Fernand Graffé, Paul Wester
    Office : Josy Gindt, Roger Langers

    MAIN CONTENDERS



  • About a month ago, the cyclo-cross in Contern was dominated by the Belgian riders, but they won't have an easy game in Niederanven because while the impressive Dieter Vanthourenhout is not expected to start, other nations will have a considerabely stronger line-up, with with among others a former world champion and two actual national champions.

    The strong Czech delegation will be led by Kamil Ausbuher, the junior world champion of 1993. After this performance in Corva (Italy), the rider never has left the headlines of cyclo-cross sport. The year after, he took the silver medal in Koksijde and then, in the elite category, Ausbuher was used to victories (2-3 par year) and podiums(a dozen per year), mostly in the international races of his home country and in Switzerland. 2004 was maybe his best year in the elite category, since, in addition to the National championships ahead of Dlask and Jezek, Ausbuher also won the world-cup race in Tabor by beating Sven Vanthourenhout and Erwin Verwecken. Since two years, he has a professional contract with Belgium teams (actually Easypay) and continues to collect top placings in the big races, like for example last year in Pilzen (4th), Unicov (5th), Eernegem (6th) or Podborany (2nd). He also finished several times in the Top 20 of world-cup race. This year, Ausbuher has taken a great 10th position in Tabor, as well as 25th in Pijnacker and Koksijde. He has also finished 5th in Louny, 2nd in Ceska Lipka, 4th in Podborany, 5th in Hittnau and in Hole Vrchy as well as 2nd in Mnichovo behind Martin Zlamalik.

    Jan Chrobak
    Jan Chrobak
    Jan Chrobak, the fifth of last year's race in Niederanven, makes regularely Top 10 placings in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany or in his own country. He has began the season slowly with an 8th place in Louny, a 7th one in Steinmaur and a 6th in Magstadt, but has been performing stronger recently by taking the podium in the international event in Frenkendorf behind Flückiger and Lang and finishing 4th in Hole Vrchy last week-end behind Zlamalik, Ausbuher and Polnicky. Last season, Chrobak had a fairly good season, winning the race in Differdange and finishing most of the world-cup races around the 30th position. A podium in Podborany and some Top placings in Magstadt, Kolin and Petange are also on his account, as well as the 7th place in the Czech Nationals. Jan has discovered the races of the ACC Contern in 2004 where he finished 6th for his first participation. He has confirmed this good result later on by finishing second in 2006, only 5 seconds behind winner Willemsens and by being in the lead group until two laps to go last year. Chrobak will be joined in Niederanven by two members of the Czech National team for the world cups, David Kasek and Vladimir Kyzivat. Kasek has won this year the race in Lostice and has finished every single race of teh Toi-Toi Cup so far in this season among the Top 10, including last week-end in Hole Vrchy where he crossed the line in 5th position. The Czeck rider has also finished the world-cup race in Pijnacker in 39th position. He was among the world's best riders in the younger categories, where he was National champion in the junior (1999) as well as the U23 category (2000 and 2001). He has also won two bronze medals in world championships (behind Bart Aernouts in 2000 in St. Michielsgesteel with the juniors and behind Vanthouenhout in 2001 with the U23). Kasek didn't confirm these results in the next years, except for a 9th place in the U23 European championships in 2003, but his late results seem to confirm a nice regain in form this season. Vladimir Kyzivat has finished the two world-cup races of this season as 28th in Tabor and 35th in Pijnacker. He has also taken 6th place in Unicov and Meilen, 4th in Ceska Lipka, fifth in Podborny and third in Magstadt. Last year, Kyzivat has finished among others 24th in Tabor, 3rd in Hlinsko and 5th in Steinmaur. He had also very good results as younger rider, finishing 7th of the junior world championships in 2000 and 2nd in the U23 National championships 2002 behind Bina, but ahead of Zlamalik. The same year he has also finished third in the spectacular race of Loenhout. Kyzivat immediately had good results as an elite rider with Top 30 placings in the world-cup races and Top 10 placings in the Czech Budvar-Cup. But his best season by far was in 2005 /2006, where he finished an excellent 9th of the Zeddam world championships, only 49 seconds down on winner Erwin Verwecken. The same year, the Czech rider took the flowers in Kolin and finished on the podium in Pétange, Magstadt and Hlinsko. He was also 5th in Steinmaur as well as 14th and 16th in the world cup races of Igorre and Tabor. The young Lukas Prihoda, was the winner of the Grand-prix Comat 2004 in the junior category and is busy in his third season as U23 rider. He was among the best junior riders of his country, finishing for example 15th in the world championships in Zeddam. Last year, he did his best result during the national championships won by Stybar, where he finished a good 11th, whereas this year, a 7th place in Podbrezova stands as his best performance.
    Steve Chainel
    Steve Chainel

    On the French side, we have the confirmation of the participation from Steve Chainel, the fourth of the world championships in Zeddam 2006. He was the surprise of the day in this race and failed the podium for a mere 10 seconds behind Verwecken, Wellens and Mourey. The rider from Auber 93 was French National champion 2000 in the junior category and owed a total of 9 international victories in the elite category in cyclo-cross as of today, among them two times the race in Frenkendorf (2005 and 2006) as well as the one of Pétange in january 2008. Chainel has finished two times eight in the U23 world championships and three times among the Top 10 of world cup races in the elite category (7th in Kalmthout and 9th in Milano 2006/2007 as well as 9th in Tabor 2007/2008). He is of course one of the best riders in France and if he never hit the jack-pot in the elite Nationals, he is regularely on the podiums in the Challenge National, like for example in October 2008 in Montrevel, where he took second place behind Mourey. The soon to be Bouyges Telecom rider has started this season really well, but some health problems prevented him to perform well after that. It was only recently that he was able to win again in a regional race in his hometown Remiremont, but this return of the form was confirmed last week-end during the second leg of the Challenge National, where he was again on the podium between Mourey (winner) and Nicolas Bazin (3rd). Chainel is an outstanding road racer and he won this summer the queen stage and the overall classification of the Circuit de Lorraine, as well as two stages in the Tour de la Manche. Second positions in the Trophée des Grimpeurs and the Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre this year underline the talents of the young rider, who will continue to combine road and cyclo-cross following the advices of former world champion Dominique Arnould.

    Willemsens winner in 2006
    Willemsens winner in 2006

    The Belgian riders will be numerous again, led by David Willemsens. He was three times elite without contract National champion and wore Les Belges seront nombreux à nouveau, emmenés par David Willemsens. Le triple champion national des elite sans contrat avait porté the jersey down in 2006, when he won the Grand-prix de la Commune de Contern by dropping Jan Chrobak on the very last lap. Willemsens has been into cyclo-cross for years now and at the beginning of his career, he formed a very strong duo with his brother Peter. He was already 2nd of a Belgian Championships in the novice category in 1992 as well as 3rd with the juniors in 1994, behind Gianni David and a certain Sven Nys. In 1997, the Belgian rider finished again on the podium, this time as espoir behind Bart Wellens and Ben Berden. During those years, the Willemsens brother often showed up in Luxemburg, David notably finished 2nd in Muhlenbach and 3rd in Leudelange. in 1997-1998, the younger of the two reached the highest level with victories in Middlekerke (ahead of his brother and Herijgers) and in Huijbergen, as well as podium places in Essen (behind Wellens and Van der Poel), in Zonnebeek (behind Nys and De Clercq) and in Weldegem (behind Wellens and De Clercq). But after another victory in Zelzate in 2000, the Willemsen's wanted to quit racing at a top level and whereas Peter stopped for good, David didn't have any results for several years. But he came back to a decent level in 2004, opting for a non-professionnal status and concentrating himself on the elite without contract races. He won an incredible amount of smaller races (around a dozen victories per season) since then and also showed himself in the bigger events. He won three consecutive National championships (2004 - 2006) as well as Contern, Oostende, Frenkendorf, Leicester and Muhlenbach. He also finished 2nd in Dudzele (behind Sven Vanthourenhout) and in Lanarvily , 2 times 3rd in Zonnebeke as well as 3rd in Rijkevoersel and in Maldegem (behind Nys and Albert). This season, the evergreen seems again to be on the right track, because he counts already four victories (Exeter, Stabroek, De Pinte, Zelzate) and has finished several times among the Top 15 of the big races.

    Tom Van den Bosch
    Tom Van den Bosch

    Tom Van den Bosch has shown a great performance in Contern, a month ago, when he finished second behind Vanthourenhout. If the latter dominated the race from the beginning, Van den Bosch was also untouchable for the second place of the podium. The former Palmans rider turned out last season to be the King of the B-races for his first year among the elites, since he won no less than 9 victories in elite without contract races and also took an impressive number of other good placings. But Van den Bosch also competed in the bigger races where he took among others 24th position in the first Superprestige race, 20th in Hamme-Zogge, 19th in Hasselt or 17th in Hoogstraaten. Eventually, he was among the good surprises in the event of the ACC Contern in Niederanven, where he was in the leading group during most of the race and finally finished in 6th place. He was a very good rider in the youth categories with a silver medal in the junior Belgian championships and a bronze medal in the military world championships. For his last season as en espoir in 2007, Van den Bosch finished 8th overall in the Superprestig and 15th in the world championships in Hooglede-Gits. This year, the Belgian rider has changed colour and with the jersey of Rendement Hypo, he seems to be much stronger since he was 8th in the race at Lebbeke, two time 9th in the first category events of Schmerikon (Switzerland), Dottignies and Eernegem as well as 14th in Niel, 15th in Ruddervoorde, 18th in Hasselt, 22nd in Asper-Gavere and Hamme-Zogge, which means two top placings for the last week-end.

    Tim Van Nuffel
    Tim Van Nuffel

    Tim Van Nuffel was a rider with very good results in the youth categories, like for example a second placeat the novices Belgian championships or 14 victories in the junior category, where he also finished 7th and 10th of the World championships of Middlefart and Poprad respectively. The series continued in the U23 category with 3 victories in Superprestige races (Ruddervoorde, Asper-Gavere and Harnes) as well as a win in the Wetzikon world cup. He has also finished 3rd of the world championships 2000 in Wielsbeke and 7th of the Monopoli world championships. Among the elite riders, Van Nuffel showed out to be very strong on difficult courses like in Koppenberg (5th in 2004), in St. Michielsgesteel (7th in 2004) or in Leudelange (3rd in 2004). The Easypay rider has also lined up numerous times in Germany and Switzerland, gaining a considerable number of top placings (Hamburg, Magstadt, Frankfurt, Berlin, Ruti, Schmerikon, Sion). Last season, he finished second of the elite without contract National championships in Hofstade, narrowly beaten by Jan Soetens. This season, Van Nuffel races again often abroad and has had his best results so far in Switzerland: 5th in Frenkendorf, 9th in Wadenswil and Hittnau. But a 6th place in Dudzele, a 9th in Ardooie or, for example, the 18th position in last week's Superprestige-race in Hamme-Zogge show that he is able to perform well in his home country too.

    Johannes Sickmüller vainqueur en 2007
    Johannes Sickmüller winner in 2007

    On the German side, National Champion Malte Urban will get some strong company with Johannes Sickmüller, the defending champion of the race in Niederanven. Twelve months ago, Sickmüller surprised everyone by placing a strong attack with two laps to go and this acceleration allowed him to take the victory with 18 seconds advantage on David Derepas. It was the beginning for a good season for Sickmüller, with more than 10 Top 10 placings in international races, notably in Hamburg, Frankfurt (4th) or Leudelange and Magstadt (3rd). He has also finished 12th in Woerden, 18th in Loenhout, 24th in the world-cup event of Hoogerheide, a race tha he had finished in 13th position the year before. In january 2008, the German rider took for the second time in a row the silver medal in his national championships, after having won the title in 2006. Sickmüller has a real collection of national championships medals, since he has also won some on the Mountain-bike. The Stevens rieder also participated in the cyclo-cross in Contern down in 2005, and was only beaten by Klaas Vantornout in the last lap to finish in second place. Several weeks later, he took revenge by winning the race in Mühlenbach in impressive manner. Sickmüller has been very calm in the summer (except from a victory in the Trans Austria Tour MTB), but has started the 2008/2009 cross season very well with two victories (in Lorsch ahead of Birkenfeld and in Wedel ahead of Aernouts) and several other top placings (2nd in Magstadt behind Zahner, 3rd in Wedel behind Walsleben and Simunek, 3rd behind Walsleben in Berlin, 5th in Unicov). He did not participate in the race in Contern since he does most of the World-cup races and finished 24th in Kamthout, 35th in Tabor and 41st in Pijnacker.

    Le champion d'Allemagne Malte Urban
    Le champion d'Allemagne Malte Urban
    B>Malte Urban was the one who prevented Sickmüller from winning his second Nationals in Janurary. The rider form Alpecin-Focus is one of the major caracters in German cyclo-cross over the last years and at home in Herford, he took his third National title after 2000 and 2004. Already as junior, Urban showed strong abilities off-road with a 5th place in the world championships, but after his first national championships win in the elite category, he opted for a road career. As member of the teams Coast and Bianchi, he participated alongside Jan Ullrich in races like Giro d'Italia, Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix or Tour de Suisse. But the end of the Bianchi squad, in 2003, meant also the end of the road career for Malte Urban. He returned into MTB and cyclo-cross with lots of national success and also some international references like a 15th place at the world championships in Zeddam or a second place behind Groenendaal, last year in Hamburg. The German has prepared his cross season on the road, where he took the victory in the criterium of Gütersloh. But the beginning of his season has unluckily been harmed by sickness, whith was also the reason for him dropping out in Contern on late October. But an 8th place in the traditionnal race in Margstadt shows that the form is coming back again. He will show up in Contern with two of his team-mates, Finn Heitmann and Stepahn Sprinke. Heitmann was U23 German National champion 2003 ahead of Paul Voss and made a good entry into the elite level last year when he took three victores against the best German riders. Heitmann finished at the foot of the podium in the National Championships in Herford. Stephan Sprinke also was among the best U23 riders in Germany where he made some podium places. Last year, in his first elite season, Sprinke finished 7th in both international events of Hamburg and he took a victory on the road this year in Sennestadt. We are also expecting Sascha Wagner to show up in Niederanvan, a rider that is used to taking the flowers in Luxemburg, since he has already taken two victories in Dippach and Belvaux ahead of Gusty Bausch. Belvaux eventually was his third win for the season since he has also been the first at a race in Mannheim. Wagner was 3rd of the German Nationals in the junior category down in 2005 and second in the U23 category in 2007, both of them behind Philipp Walsleben. Last year, Wagner has also won the elite cyclo-cross in Gelenau ahead of Jan Chrobak and owed the overall victory in the U23 Deutschland-Cup
    Pirmin Lang
    Pirmin Lang

    Some more German-speaking riders will come to Niederanven and might well be able to play the first roles, namely from Switzerland and Austria. Pirmin Lang was regularely among thebest U23 riders in the world-cup events down in 2005-2006 (5th in Milan, 7th in Hoogerheide, 10th in Liévin, 13th at the Zeddam world championships) used to finish on the podiums during national races (2 victories, 2 times 2nd of Swiss championships). He has made a smooth transition into the elite category in 2006 with again 2 victories, a 5th place in Dagmarsellen, 7th places in Ruti, Hittnau and at the Swiss Nationals, as well as 8th in Wetzikon. Last season, Pirmin Lang was able to celebrate three wins, in Sion (ahead of Taramarcaz and Van Nuffel), in Pfaffnau and in Schwarzhausen. His good performances (2nd in Frenkendorf, Hittnau and Aigle, 3rd in Dagmarsellen) have provided him a spot in the team for the world championships in Treviso where he has finished at a very good 29th position, merely a minute and a half behind winner Lars Boom. Lang is also a good road racer and regularely participates in bigger races in France, Switzerland and Italie and even takes the victory from time to time like in Schattdorf, Frauenfeld and Valloton this summer. The road races of course provide him with a good basis for a successfull cross season and this winter, Pirmin has taken a second place in the international cyclo-cross of Frenkendorf, behind Flückiger, but ahead of Chrobak, Skarnitzl and Van Nuffel.

    Austrian rider Peter Presslauer has won in January 2008 in Rankweil his eigth National title in a row, despite a fairly bad season marked by health problems, where his best performance was without doubt the 34th position in the Treviso world championships. Presslauer is mostly known for being a good Mountain-biker and also on the road. On the ATB, he is also used to take the Austrian National title and has been among the 50 Best in the world for a long time. This summer, Presslauer has again mixed up MTB (victory in Garmisch) and road racing, where he has done some big races like 3 days of La Pann, Flèche Brabançonne, Het Volk or Grand-prix de Denain with his Volksbank team. Despite an injury due to a heavy crash at the beginning of the season, the Austrian champion hopes to profit his road experience during this season and have better results than a 41st place in the world cup event in Tabor last month.

    Joachim Parbo
    Joachim Parbo

    Joachim Parbo, former double Danish champion, (2005 and 2006) is a dominating character in danish cyclo-cross and a real fanatic of the disciplin. All alone and without many support from his federation, he has travelled through Europe in train for several years to line-up in the international races, trips that also let him to Contern for three times. He didn't have many success at that time but never counted his efforts and constantly improved. He has for example finished 14th in the cyclo-cross of Roubaix, future leg of the world-cup, 21st of the world-cup in Hoogherheide or 32nd in the world championships in Hooglede-Gits. Last year, Parbo travelled for several months to the United States where he finished 10 times in the Top 10 and four times on the podium. His form was good, but sickness has prevented him from reconducting his national title for anotehr year. This season, the Danish rider also opened his season in overseas and finished 4th in Lakewood and in Burlington as well as 15th in the spectacular night-cross of Las Vegas. Back in Europe, Parbo took 12th place in Hittnau as well as 37th and 38th in the world-cup events of Tabor and Pijnacker. In the summer, Parbo does some Mountain-biking, a disziplin in which he has also won a national championhip.

    Gusty Bausch
    Gusty Bausch

    On the luxemburgish side, most of the hopes are on the shoulders of Gusty Bausch after his fantastic performance in Contern a monthe ago, where he finished in 7th place after having battled for the podium for quite a while. The multiple Luxemburgish champ has a good season begin with two victories, in Brouch and in Tétange, but also some nice international references: 27th last week-end in Hasselt, 34th during the world-cup in Kalmthout, a 30th place on the Koppenberg or the 45th position in Pijnacker. The new member of LC Kayl has often performed well in the races of the ACC Contern: besides his second place in the national championships in january 2008, he was 5th in the traditionnal international cross of October in 2004 and 2005. We hope that a lot of other Luxemburgish riders will show up in Niederanven (they were only 10 in Contern on October 26), like evergreen Pascal Triebel who starts to have a good form with a second place in Tetange, beaten by Bausch, then a 9th position in the international race in Frenkendorf (Switzerland) and finally, a victory in Cessange last Sunday, ahead of Gusty Bausch and Claude Wolter. The latter, just like Jérôme Juncker or the young guns Vincent Dias Dos Santos and Pit Schlechter, will target a Top 20 place.

    REPORT

    difficult conditions in Niederanven
    difficult conditions in Niederanven

    If the snow and the cold surely didn't encourage the spectators to show up in Niederanven, on this Sunday that rather invited to stay indoors, they didn't prevent the riders to show us an exciting race. Three riders were up at the front on the very tough course and they battled for the victory until the end, with the name of the winner Steve Chainel only being certain in the very last lap.

    The sun finally shows up in the sky above Niederanven at 3 o'clock, when 31 riders of 9 countries line up for the 2nd Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven, ready to fight against themselves and against the tough course that was very muddy after the rainfalls of the last week and the snow from the morning. If some riders found last year that the course was too fast and not enough selective, they should have been pleased with this year's conditions, where the heavy and slippery ground demanded everything from the riders.

    After one lap: Chainel in front of Weber
    After one lap: Chainel in front of Weber

    Gusty Bausch gets the hole shot, but Sickmüller takes over as soon as they enter the mud. Soon, the favourites take control of the race: Steve Chainel, fourth in the Zeddam worlds three years ago, takes the lead, followed by the suprise of the day: young German Sascha Weber, who had a strong start and also confirmed later in the race. Ausbuher isn't far behind, just like Sikmüller, Kyzivat, Van Nuffel, Van den Bosch, Lang and Chrobak, who has a bad day and will abandon the race later on. Among the favourites, David Kasek missed his start, but he will come back to the front again, just like Sascha Wagner and Joachim Parbo, who will approach Top 10 placings. Gusty Bausch, on his side, has to pay for his fast beginning and tries to find his rythm around 15th position, just ahead of Pascal Triebel.

    Leading group: Ausbuher, Chainel, Sickmüller
    Leading group: Ausbuher, Chainel, Sickmüller

    On the second lap, Steve Chainel accelerates, he makes a very big impression, being able to stay on his bike where other riders have to put their feet on the ground, including Kamil Ausbuher. But the world champion from Corva doesn't let the French rider slip away and takes his wheel, just as Sascha Weber. Sickmüller is 30 meters further back, then follow Kyzivat, Van den Bosch, Lang, Tom Flammang and Bausch. The surprising Flammang is best Luxemburgish rider at that moment, but he will drop back later and finishe the race in 21st position. On the third lap, Weber is also dropped at the front, but he is replaced by Sickmüller who finally manages to fight his way back. This gives us a tremendeous trio in the lead, composed by the defending champion plus the two major favourites, Chainel and Ausbuher.

    Kasek and Van den Bosch chasing
    Kasek and Van den Bosch chasing

    The decision for the podium places eventually seems to have fallen, even if Sickmüller is showing signs of weakness from time to time and if behind them, the chasers are not far behind. David Kasek has recovered from his bad start and is riding with Tom Van den Bosch, whereas Lang and Van Nuffel are also close. Valdimir Kyzivat is loosing some ground and he is joined by Sascha Wagner. Gusty Bausch has also find a good rythm and despite a mechanical that makes him loose some time, he passes several riders to move up to thenth place: German champion Malte Urban, not really better than in Contern, Lukas Prihoda and Sascha Wagner. Pascal Triebel riders a minute behind Gusty around fifteenth position for the moment, but he doesn't really seem to be at his ease on a course that normally would be tailor-made for him

    Pirmin Lang and Tim Van Nuffel
    Pirmin Lang and Tim Van Nuffel

    The battle goes on at the front: Sickmüller accelerates, but the other two are able to follow and then, one lap later, it is Kamil Ausbuher who attacks on the long run-up. Chainel follows with apparent easiness, but Sickmüller the winner from previous year has to let it go. Sickmüller looses several seconds, but stays within sight of the two leaders, whereas he is himself under the pressure of Van den Bosch. Tom has dropped Kasek and has come within hundred meters of the head riders by now.

    Steve Chainel on his way to the win
    Steve Chainel on his way to the win

    With three laps to go, Steve Chainel accelerates on the most difficult part of the circuit. The rider from Auber 93 takes a small advantage on Ausbuher, who isn't able to follow and even sees Sickmüller coming closer and closer. At two laps from the finish, whereas Chainel manages his small advance with serenity and is about to be the first French rider to win the international cyclo-cross of the ACC Contern in 34 editions, the former German champion is in contact again with the Czech rider. After an hour of terrible effort, shaken by the cold, Steve Chainel thus wins the 2nd Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven with 11 seconds of advantage on Johannes Sickmüller. The German rider has managed to get rid of Ausbuher in the last lap. Tom Van den Bosch finishes in fourth position, whereas Gusty Bausch just enters the Top 10 and is at the same time best Luxemburgish rider, ahead of Triebel (16th), Juncker (17th) and Wolter (18th).

    Bob Jungels wins the junior race
    Bob Jungels wins the junior race

    In the junior race, Bob Jungels has the best start and immediately takes 20 meters of advance on Max Michely. Then follow Alex Kirsch and still 10 more seconds, Lex Reichling together with the two Czech riders Daniel Vesely and Martin Rehak. Michely stays within reach of Jungels in the next laps, but behind the two, the gaps get bigger and Kirsch looses contact. On lap three, the difference between Jungels and Michely is still less than 50 meters, whereas for third place, Daniel Vesely and Lex Reichling have bridged up to Kirsch. But a little bit later, Reichling has to pay for this effort and is dropped again. A mecanical in the worst possible place, just after the material pits, also affects Kirsch, so that the way to third position is free for Vesely. The battle for the victory remains uncertain for a long moment, even if Jungels seems incredibly strong and Michely has to battle hard to stay within sight. But in the last lap, the resistance breaks down and Jungels can celebrate his second victory in his second cyclo-cross of the season, 28 seconds ahead of the Youngest out of the Michely dynasty..

    LG Alzingen dominates the novice category
    LG Alzingen dominates the novice category

    The race of the novice category turns into a demonstration from the riders of Alzingen, who take the lead from the beginning. Thomas Berns is making the pace ahead of his team-mate Pierre Lux, whereas Richard Della Schiava and Ben Krux hang on to their wheels and the duo from Preizerdaul, Fritsch and Glies, follow several meters behind. On the second lap, Berns and Lux are alone in the lead, while Della Schiava is dropped just like Krux, who had to pay for his efforts later on and drops down to 6th place, whereas the Tooltime riders are also loosing ground. The two riders from LG Alzingen cross the line hand in hand, with Pierre Lux leaving the victory to his team-mate, who of course deserves it on behalf of all the work that he has done during the race. Thomas Berns thus wins the 21st Grand-prix Comat, a few centimeters ahead of Lux and less than a minute ahead of Della Schiava.

    Nathalie Lamborelle wins the women's race
    Nathalie Lamborelle wins the women's race

    In the women category, the suspense doesn't last very long. Even if Nathalie Lamborelle is affected by a medical operation in hospital several weeks ago, she takes the victory in her first cyclo-cross of the season. It took her lots of courage to resume racing on such a difficult course after a few weeks without racing and she was well aware of her poor form. Her start wasn't very good, but she never had to fear her only opponent Anja Nalbach, who had lost more ground in the first lap. Lamborelle found a better rythm in the next laps and moved up a little bit against the boys, finishing three minutes behind the best novices.

    PICTURES







    RESULTS



    2nd Grand-prix de la Commune de Niederanven

    Elite / U23

    10 laps: 26,00 km
    26.89 km/h
    Place
    Nr
    Code UCI
    Name
    Team
    Cat
    Time
    Gap
    1
    8
    FRA19830906
    CHAINEL Steve
    ELIT
    00:58:01
    2
    31
    GER19820318
    SICKMÜLLER Johannes
    RSV Harvestehuder
    ELIT
    00:58:12
    00:11
    3
    7
    CZE19750807
    AUSBUHER Kamil
    ELIT
    00:58:24
    00:23
    4
    9
    BEL19850506
    VAN DEN BOSCH Tom
    Palmans-Collstrop
    ELIT
    00:58:51
    00:50
    5
    5
    CZE19820919
    KASEK David
    ELIT
    00:59:27
    01:26
    6
    15
    BEL19810326
    VAN NUFFEL Tim
    CK Podborany Easypay
    ELIT
    01:00:11
    02:10
    7
    3
    SUI19841125
    LANG Pirmin
    ELIT
    01:00:20
    02:19
    8
    2
    GER19880223
    WEBER Sascha
    Flonheim
    E.23
    01:00:20
    02:19
    9
    4
    CZE19820322
    KYZIVAT Vladimir
    ELIT
    01:00:33
    02:32
    10
    17
    LUX19800225
    BAUSCH Gusty
    LC Kayl
    ELIT
    01:00:49
    02:48
    11
    16
    GER19870625
    WAGNER Sascha
    Freilauf Rossbach
    E.23
    01:01:29
    03:28
    12
    24
    DEN19741118
    PARBO Joachim
    ELIT
    01:01:41
    03:40
    13
    26
    GER19741214
    URBAN Malte
    RC Endspurt Herford
    ELIT
    01:02:06
    04:05
    14
    10
    CZE19880118
    PRIHODA Lukas
    E.23
    01:02:32
    04:31
    15
    14
    BEL19901202
    LACROIX Dany
    FREDIR
    E.23
    01:02:47
    04:46
    16
    1
    LUX19660609
    TRIEBEL Pascal
    LC Tétange
    ELIT
    01:02:52
    04:51
    17
    21
    LUX19751127
    JUNKER Jérôme
    VV Tooltime Préizerdaul
    ELIT
    01:03:47
    05:46
    18
    12
    LUX19830206
    WOLTER Claude
    LC Kayl Differdange Apiflo
    ELIT
    01:04:00
    05:59
    19
    29
    LUX19901026
    SCHLECHTER Pit
    LC Tétange
    E.23
    1 tour
    20
    18
    LUX19810606
    LATERZA Olivier
    UC Dippach
    ELIT
    1 tour
    21
    32
    LUX19780112
    FLAMMANG Tom
    UC Dippach
    ELIT
    1 tour
    22
    25
    GER1981004
    SPRINKE Stephan
    RC Endspurt Herford
    ELIT
    1 tour
    23
    20
    CAN19710601
    SUTTON Andre
    Harcore Cycling
    ELIT
    1 tour
    24
    23
    USA19810517
    HELMIG Christian
    Metro VW
    ELIT
    1 tour
    25
    13
    LUX19700913
    JOACHIM Christian
    UC Dippach
    ELIT
    1 tour
    26
    19
    LUX19810824
    BASTIAN Marc
    UC Dippach
    ELIT
    1 tour
    27
    22
    GER19700912
    CORPUS Oliver
    Weisse Wölfe Merzig
    ELIT
    1 tour
    28
    28
    FRA19800117
    OLLIET Pierre
    UCN Ettelbruck
    ELIT
    1 tour
    29
    6
    BEL19850808
    MOTTET Jodivic
    Windose Houffalize
    ELIT
    1 tour
    30
    27
    LUX19840728
    WAGNER Bob
    UCN Ettelbruck
    ELIT
    1 tour
    Ab
    11
    CZE19790209
    CHROBAK Jan
    ELIT
    NP
    30
    LUX19880422
    MICHELY Kim
    VC Arbedo Castione
    E.23



    21st Grand-prix COMAT

    Juniors

    6 laps: 15,60 km
    24.87 km/h
    Place
    Nr
    Code UCI
    Name
    Team
    Cat
    Time
    Gap
    1
    5
    LUX19920922
    JUNGELS Bob
    UC Dippach
    JUN
    00:37:38
    2
    8
    LUX19910214
    MICHELY Max
    LC Tétange
    JUN
    00:38:06
    00:28
    3
    4
    CZE19920628
    VESELY Daniel
    JUN
    00:38:55
    01:17
    4
    7
    LUX19920521
    REICHLING Lex
    VV Tooltime Préizerdaul
    JUN
    00:39:29
    01:51
    5
    1
    LUX19920612
    KIRSCH Alex
    UC Dippach
    JUN
    00:40:25
    02:47
    6
    3
    CZE19911216
    REHAK Martin
    JUN
    00:41:29
    03:51
    7
    6
    FRA19920814
    CRE Maxime
    VC Hettange-Grande
    JUN
    00:44:54
    07:16
    8
    9
    LUX19911025
    RICHARTZ Jeff
    LC Tétange
    JUN
    1 tour
    9
    2
    LUX19910727
    LINSTER Kevin
    LG Alzingen
    JUN
    1 tour



    21st Grand-prix COMAT

    Novices / Women

    4 laps: 10.40 km
    21.60 km/h
    Place
    Nr
    Code UCI
    Name
    Team
    Cat
    Time
    Gap
    1
    31
    LUX19930105
    BERNS Thomas
    LG Alzingen
    DEB
    00:28:53
    2
    32
    LUX19930424
    LUX Pierre
    LG Alzingen
    DEB
    00:28:53
    00:00
    3
    34
    LUX19930430
    DELLA SCHIAVA Richard
    UC Dippach
    DEB
    00:29:47
    00:54
    4
    36
    LUX19940529
    FRITSCH Sven
    VV Tooltime Préizerdaul
    DEB
    00:30:01
    01:08
    5
    35
    LUX19930224
    GLEIS Ralph
    VV Tooltime Préizerdaul
    DEB
    00:30:01
    01:08
    6
    37
    LUX19931027
    KRUX Ben
    LC Tétange
    DEB
    00:30:37
    01:44
    7
    71
    LUX19880201
    LAMBORELLE Nathalie
    RIG Saar e.V. Team Uniqa
    DAME
    00:32:39
    03:46
    8
    38
    LUX19930703
    FLESCH Pol
    CCI Differdange
    DEB
    00:33:52
    04:59
    9
    72
    GER19801211
    NALBACH Anja
    Möve Schmelz
    DAME
    1 tour

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