In front of huge crowds massed five to seven rows deep in Koksijde, Belgium, Cody Kaiser put in a strong race at the Under-23 Men Cyclocross World Championships on Saturday. The California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized bested his earlier World Cup result on the same course in November to finish 36th.
“Everything was good.” Kaiser said after the race. “I felt good riding in the sand, I was passing guys each lap, I was catching one, two guys. Nothing to say that I wish I could have done more so that was good.” Kaiser had placed 52nd in the World Cup race.
The course on the west coast is like no other in the world and can be described by one word sand. Lots and lots of deep sand, long sections either uphill, downhill and off-camber. Over 800 meters of sand per lap are a challenge and enforce a different rhythm than races in the United States.
“It’s just really demanding, there’s never off the gas.” Kaiser said of the course. “Even the downhills you have to be on the gas because otherwise you’ll just stall. You’re always on and the spots where you want to go harder where it’s easy for us to go hard like on the pavement and the mud sections, you don’t because you have to save it all for the sand. You want to save all your bullets for the sand and so when you’re on the pavement, you’re trying to go easy for recovery.”
Over 800 meters of sand per lap are a challenge and enforce a different rhythm than races in the United States.
Kaiser continued, “So when I was here in November, I was passing these guys, I was just giving it all on the pavement and then I’d catch two guys and then when I’d hit the sand, three guys would go pass me and I’d never catch them again. I was always going backwards and this time I got smart and was going forwards.”
The pace was high from the start with the Belgium and the Netherlands National team riders battling at the front. Kaiser had a good start from the third row and settled into his own pace to ride smoothly to the finish. The world title was won by Lars van der Haar of the Netherlands for the second year in a row.
Overall Kaiser is satisfied with his result. “My goal was top 35 because I’ve never been 35th in Europe but 36th is close enough, next year will be better.”
Earlier that day, teammate Tobin Ortenblad finished 48th in the Junior Men’s Cyclocross World Championships won by Mathieu van der Poel of Belgium.
“The course was super super fun, definitely the hardest course I have ever raced. Overall its been a great season.” commented Ortenblad.
