Written by Finz of NightmareChaos
 CoN Delhi
The first race of the Coupe of Nations series was about to start in India again. All top twenty nations send their best climbers in an effort to get a headstart in this series. The climbs around Delhi again proved difficult this year. And in the end only a select group started the final climb to the finish. The ten riders that started the final climb, one by one dropped of and had to settle for a slower pace. Fido Fernandez, Kremer, was attacking first to get a win for Spain. But rumour has it that he was working for Dominik Uci?ski, Kremer. Because Dominik Uci?ski was the best in the end and gave Poland a win. Beating Peter- Jan Van de Wal, CCFC, of Belgium.
 CoN Beijing
The organizers were not amused. Only sixteen team entered the race in Beijing. Denmark, Germany, Scotland and Belgium, all forgot their flights and stayed behind in India. This gave hope for many other countries to score some points in China. As always the flat roads of Beijing saw a bunch sprint. Norwegian Vidar Lien, Optimus Prime, was the fastest of them all. Beating Dutch Dirk Horring, Eriknogwat and Polish Jakub Lewicki, EricV.
 CoN Washington City TT
A better line up then in Beijing. Eight-teen teams managed to come to the USA. Only Denmark shined through absence and Laos was missing. The time trial through Washington always gives a few nations double points. Some teams have more then one rider in the top nine. The one that clocked the fastest time was alone though, Czech Olexander Nagy, Team Crazy Downhillers, beat everybody with a large margin. German Thorsten Roberts, Optimus Prime, was second just ahead of Belgian Michel Aelemans, sprint4live.
 CoN Sydney
Finally a complete line up again. The hills around Sydney have something special that lures the teams like honey lures flies. Ready to be tested by the hills and sun the teams started early in the day. In the end the teams with a lot of experience in the | | hills emerged up front. Belgium set the pace for their favourite and in the end Robert De Meulder, Eixample ATH, secured the victory for them. He was well ahead of Dutch guy Thomas Hummel, old town racing club and Norwegian Brede Nesheim, TeamNorway.
 CoN Paris
The Paris was interesting as we witnessed a new entry by Australia. They qualified during the season for the Coupe of Nations and took their deserved spot. This meant however, twenty-one teams for twenty places. The result was that the Spanish manager was furious because he was left out. The race itself was exciting to watch. A few riders were fully prepared and ready for a victory here. Irish Simon Mershon, Burren Connemara, was the strongest of them all. He beat American Reid Lenard, POM Wonderful and Englishman Adley Freeny, IndieRock, who finished second and third.
 CoN Rio de Janeiro
In Brazil the Spanish coach was present again, still very angry about what happened to him one race before. He was happy to hear that France was beaten by Australia this time. And to all the skeptics that argue that a non top twenty nation should not be able to enter, Australia won the race with Tom Bella, VC Botafogo in absolute style. Being the captain of a Brazilian team probably helped a bit. Natan Zurawski, YCO, was the surprise captain for Poland and he did well with a second place ahead of Jeronimo Laredo, iniho Ameland, of Spain.
 CoN Cape Town
The final race for the CoN and it is not decided yet. Which sprinter would secure the victory for their nation here and settle the Coupe of Nations this season for their country. A very nervous ending in the streets of Cape Town with a bent 600 meters before the finish would mean everybody should be very concentrated. Jan-Peter Werff, mikai, was the first to go for it. But he was unaware of German Benni Manstein, Team GER, right behind him who passed him easily. Benni was about to cheer when he was passed by American Bullit Karl Hall, Greenride. He won the final race and above all, secured an American Coupe of Nations victory. A very happy cowboy he was that evening.
|
