Background Lighting

“In film, the background light is usually of lower intensity. More than one light can be used to light uniformly a background or alternatively to highlight points of interest.” (Wikipedia)

Background light, cyclocross style. Now on the return from a quick trip to Belgium. Doing the legwork for EuroCrossCamp, some networking for UCI CX Commission, and gaining some closure on my book. While the real show doesn’t start for another month, there’s plenty going on, even in August.

Had a great visit with newly retired 3x World Champ Erwin Vervecken. Always interesting to see how pros handle their training/racing workload stoppage. Erwin is quite happily busy with his young family and, as I gradually learned, now a key cog in the whole pro cyclocross structure. Working for the Golazo empire (Golazo owns big Belgian cx races, and much more), Erwin is now their advisor for cyclocross start money, as well as a sort of technical director for several big events. When you put it all together, you see exactly how things work “in the business”, shall we say.

Got a quick call in to Lars Boom, racing in the Hamburg classic and then on to north Holland for Eneco Tour start where he was on the leader board for a long time before eventually finishing 3rd in the Prologue. Living the ProTour life. And, he said he was going to race some ‘cross in December, from early December through Dutch Nationals. It will be great to have him back for a few races.

Spent time in Izegem working on EuroCrossCamp logistics. For everything to go smoothly come December, quite a few logistical details require dedicated time and energy. Pretty excited about Camp #8–the number of riders hungry for international cyclocross and their level seem to increase each season. Obviously, with Louisville 2013, we need to ratchet up everything. We need to be ready.

Always informative to pay a visit to Sven Nys too. This time, he showed me around his newly finished home, complete with BMX track for 8 yr old Thibau in the back yard. Pretty nice digs to say the least. Exercise room. Equipment room. You get the picture. And what is Sven doing for “background lighting” before MTB Worlds in Canada in early September followed by the competitive cyclocross circus?

Aug 7: Ride 5 hrs; Aug 8: Ride 1 hr; Aug 9: 5 hrs; Aug 10: Run 40 min; Ride 3 hrs; Aug 11: 1.5 hr CX; 2.5 hr MTB; Aug 12: Ride 3 hrs; Aug 13: Ride 2 hrs; Aug 14: Ride 1.5 hrs; Aug 15: Race 200 km.

We talked about hearing that Stybar was doing big hours in St. Moritz (one day the Zd-Man climbed the Stelvio twice!). Sven says he’s banking on more intensity and less big hourage as he preps for this season.

For cyclocrossers, August can seem a bit of a lull. But, if you look in the background, you’ll see plenty of legwork.

Look for an update on EuroCrossCamp selection etc. soon.

Onward.

GP