Kinesis and Upgrade Bikes came together for the Crosslight CSix2 2010 Cyclocross Frame, which is the first all carbon cyclocross frame from the two companies. Apart of Upgrades Advanced Development Program, the collaboration between the two will build off the CSix2 which first released in 2008 – 2009 season, which was rode by Jody Crawforth. Breaking down the Crosslight CSix2 2010 Cyclocross Frame, which uses a carbon monocoque front triangle and carbon rear triangle taken from the first CSix, and adding a new fork specifically designed for the frame.

The Crosslight CSix2 2010 Cyclocross Frame has a somewhat oval shape top tube to resist lateral flexing and comfort, wishbone seatstays, and chainstays for power transfer. For a more sleek look, the cables are run along the top tube, and rear gear cable route helps combat against mud affecting shifting and overall performance. Lastly, the Zero Stack headset helps low end positioning for racers that ride in a lower position. A 54cm Crosslight CSix2 2010 Cyclocross Frame weighs about 1kg, while the forks add another 480 grams. Two colors are available, with a retail price around $1,500 USD, which you will receive frame, fork, headset, mech pulley, and seat clamp. Release date is due in July 2010.

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Marianne Vos pedaled her way to a clear-cut victory at the 2010 Cyclocross World Championship at Tabor to earn her third worlds title. The Dutch cyclist managed to get an early lead past Hanka Kupfernagel of Germany and compatriot Daphny Van Den Brand (the UCI World Cup winner) to secure the victory. Kupfernagel and Van Den Brand finished second and third, respectively.


The frozen course at Tabor proved to be no hindrance to Vos, as she flew past her opponents and found herself racing solo for most of the race. Kupfernagel similarly enjoyed a strong finish, while Van Den Brand had to fight off attacks from behind to hold on to the third spot.


Katerina Nash was actually the favorite to win the event, but was unfortunately involved in a pileup while going through the first corner. She put on a valiant effort to move up the peloton, but failed to catch Van Den Brand for the final podium finish.


The Americans finished strongly, if not impressively. Meredith Miller finished in front of her teammates at 12th, while Amy Dombroski got the 14th spot, and Katie Compton dropped out after just one lap. Compton’s decision to race in the Worlds was ill-advised, since she was already feeling pain from leg cramps even before the race.

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The UCI has issued rules this year against the use of studded tires for cyclocross competitions. Reports say that UCI had decided to put these regulations into place after rumors circulated about cyclocross star Sven Nys using new Dugast tires with embedded metal spikes, called the ‘Diabolo‘.


The new UCI regulations (1.3.018) specifically state that “For the cyclocross bicycle… the tire shall not exceed 35mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud.”


News reports from Belga said that the Dugast spiked tires had been tested by Sven Nys in icy conditions in The Netherlands, and that the ‘Diabolo‘ tires had performed extremely well with excellent grip. The Belgian cyclist himself had reportedly proclaimed the tires as “phenomenally good” after the tests.


The UCI ban comes into effect in time for the approaching Cyclocross World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic.   The event will be held on an icy course that has been frozen solid by temperatures reaching sub-zero degrees, so bicycles with spiked tires would have had the upper-hand in terms of handling and control.[...]

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The Cyclocross World Championships may be held on American soil for the first time ever — if things work out the way that the team behind the U.S. Gran Prix are hoping it would. Joan Hanscom, the USGP director, confirms that she and Bruce Fina (executive director of USGP) has submitted a bid to UCI to host the event for 2013.


USGP is currently waiting for the official decision from the UCI, but things are already looking bright for the American organization’s hosting bid, if comments from UCI ‘cross coordinator Peter van den Abelee are to be considered.


Abelee said in an interview with the Belgian press that Louisville is currently in the top position for hosting the prestigious event. Hanscom adds that the UCI has already done a site visit, and they are pretty much encouraged by Abelee’s words. This would be the first time that the ‘Cross World Championships would be held outside Europe, if the U.S. bid does get the honor.


Joan Hanscom also says that Sven Nys, the Belgian champ, is having plans to continue racing until 2013 at least if ever the event goes to the USA. “This is a… major step forward for the internationalization of the sport”, Nys had said in an interview with Sporza.be.

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World champion ‘cross rider Niels Albert, of Belgium, took the lead today of the Superprestige Cyclocross series. His lead came about after winning the sixth round, after going head to head with Zdenek Stybar. The two men broke apart from the pack in the mud-filled race in Diegem, Belgium. Kevin Pauwels took third. Sven Nys, series leader, struggled early on in the race, and was eventually withdrawn due to mechanical difficulties. American rider Jonathan Page took 15th. Albert took the lead of the series with 84 points, and behind him are Stybar with 81 points, and Nys with 71. The Superprestige series will continue with the next round on February 7th, 2010, in Zonhoven, Belgium.

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Zdenek Stybar has won the fifth round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup today in Igorre, Spain. Following behind Stybar were the Belgians Niels Albert and Sven Nys. American cyclist Jonathan Page made it into the top 10 with a nice 8th place finish. Niels Albert, the current world cyclocross champion, is leading the series with 370 points. Stybar is just five points behind. Third overall in the series is Klaas Vantornout, with 279 points. The sixth round will be held on December 20th in Kalmthout, Belgium.

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Here’s a funny video of two people talking about cyclo-cross, and comparing it to riding fixed gear bikes. Funny stuff, check it out!

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