Thursday, February 5, 2009

One more tidbit from World Championships

I am not sure how public this was made but the night before Worlds at about 2:30am Sven Nys received a call in his hotel room. Terrified that something may have happened to his family, he rushes to the phone only to hear, "Ben je klaar voor morgen?" just before the caller hung up. It means "Are you ready for tomorrow?" Clearly the guy was drunk but was he a fan of Nys? It seems strange to ruin your favorite rider's race. And if they are a fan of someone else, how inconsiderate must you be to possibly affect the outcome of the one race these guys work a whole year towards. Inexcusable. Unfortunately the police did not track him down. I wish they would have. I would have loved to see his face on the cover of the newspaper with the words "I sabotaged Sven Nys' Worlds". That wouldnt quite be justice but it would be a start. In a country like belgium he will be sure to make instant enemies for life.

On a more positive note, it was good to see Nys crossing the line with hands in air so soon after Worlds at yesterday's Parkcross race in Belgium.

My next race is this Saturday at Lille. I am really curious to see how my body responds. I have done the physical work to be ready. The rest is left to fate i suppose.

Thanks for reading.

11 comments:

Amy said...

Good luck on your race - and thanks for sharing all the interesting gossip! I always enjoy reading your take on the big races!

bikesgonewild said...

...yep, good luck on your next race...

...hey...sorry about the misunderstanding about our intrepid mr page...you said so little about his race, i falsely surmised...

...as way of an apology i'll mention a quick story...
...winter, december of 2002, domaine chandon vineyards, cross nats...i'm about 6 months out past a major heart operation & rather than safely sit at home, i just gotta check out the scene...
...a white trimmed ,vibrant red 'richard sachs' adorned w/ bright yellow 'tufos' is being ridden through serious ass mud n' rain by one jonathon page...
...that day he just 'euro'd' guys like 'gully' & wells, guys who i knew were damn good...mr page simply rode everyone off his wheel & did it w/ major style...

...also that day in the womens race, a young lady out of mill valley who i'd talked w/ a few times & who would always wave when our rides crossed paths, was battling it out near the front...she acquitted herself well that day as i recall...
...when i saw her after the race, cold, soaked to the bone, mud splattered from helmet to sidis, i just naturally went to give her an appreciative hug & she said "uh, careful, i'm a serious mess"...
...but i'm glad i gave ya a hug that day kiddo, mess n' mud or not...

...i had always, going way back, 'liked' cross but that day cemented it for me...both you & mr page totally kindled my passion for cross that chilly mid-december afternoon...

...anyway, just sayin'...

PEANUT said...

Thanks amy! See you monday.
And as for BGW, I guess that means we have met in the past! But aside from that, i cannot tell you how much i appreciate your story. It was so incredibly sweet of you to share that with me. Most of us go on about our lives without ever thinking about the impact we have on others. Now i will no longer be one of those people. Thanks again.

Cyclocross Magazine said...

nice post. nys was strong sunday - lap times show he was the fastest at the end, and had the fastest lap of the whole race late in the race, followed by another fast one.

i guess the stress of the worry about family could really rattle someone. (however if they called me, i'd still be awake I'm sure.)

Anonymous said...

I've had a word with fate, and she is on your side. Go get 'em kiddo!

Rickie Rainwater said...

Christine,
Your race is probably over by now since you are about 6 or so hours ahead of us over here, so just know you've been in my thoughts. And hey, I just got my cxmagazine a few minutes ago. It was waiting in my mail box when I got back from my ride. I have had to some major study on my position and my shoes because I hurt my right lower leg somehow. I have seen major improvements and I have learned a great deal. My last ride into 20 to 30 mile wind and then back showed major progress.

Anyway, you have been in my thoughts.
rickie

Cyclocross Magazine said...

top half in lille! nice job!

Anonymous said...

Nice going at Krawaten Cross!
-- E.C. Chamberlain

Rickie Rainwater said...

Way to friggin go Christine!
rickie

Anonymous said...

FYI

Just renewed my subscription to my quarterly Peanut fix :)

PEANUT said...

hey rickie
glad to hear about the improvement on your lower leg!
AND thanks guys for ordering Cyclocross Magazine!! Much appreciate the support. by the way my Lille race update is on their website now.