It’s cyclocross season, and to show our love and appreciation for Bill Schieken of In the Crosshairs and his new book Skills, Drills and Bellyaches featuring Jeremy Powers (which we got to preview at Interbike), we’re collaborating on this little collection to introduce the Cyclismas fans to Bill’s genius #SVENNESS videos. We like to call it #CYCLISMASVENNESS. We’re starting at the very beginning of the series so you can get the whole backstory and get to know the cast of characters. Hope you enjoy. ~ Lesli
Hey there Cyclismasses! Bill, here, from In The Crosshairs, to introduce a little video series we produce. It’s called #SVENNESS and in it we break down the week’s Euro-pro cyclocross races to give you some play-by-play of key moments. We also know that many #SVENNESS viewers are racers, too, so we sprinkle in some tips and techniques to help you in your own cyclocross battles. In a nutshell, #SVENNESS is a mix of ESPN’s Primetime (that was a show about a ball sport, cycling friends) and VH1’s Pop Up Video.
Sounds great, Bill, but why is it called SVENNESS? Good question. It’s named after arguably the best cyclocross racer of our time, Sven Nys. To my ears, when the broadcasters on Sporza pronounce his name it sounds like Svenness. He has one of those names that you must always say the first and last together. At least it sounds better that way. So #SVENNESS became this way of describing the sublime in cyclocross. Clinical tactics, a beautiful pass, when done masterfully, it was #SVENNESS.
Oh, here’s a fun takeaway for you: the series could easily have been called “A moment of Sven” or even “Everything Sven,” but #SVENNESS, for whatever reason, stuck. I think we made the right call.
Thanks for watching.
#SVENNESS 2.16 from In The Crosshairs on Vimeo.
In episode 2.16, SVENNESS goes to Leuven, Belgium, for the latest round of the Soudal Classics Cyclocross Series, which took place January 19. The Leuven course features some short tough climbs, and one particularly hairy descent. There is also a fun ramp section and a touch of mud. A handful of different riders take their shots riding off the front but nothing sticks until Tom Meeusen, Kevin Pauwels, and Sven Nys get away with five to go. Meeusen is the aggressor in this race launching attack after attack. Pauwels counters and Sven once again shows incredible patience.
With parts of the Leuven course bordering on single-track, we took the opportunity to review a couple MTB skills that are definitely ones you need for your cyclocross skill set. We also look at ride vs. run opportunities and how the pros handle a little contact between riders.
SVENNESS is presented by Skills Drills and Bellyaches: A Cyclocross Primer, available at www.cyclocrossbook.com and by CrossVegas, which takes place September 10, under the lights. More info at www.crossvegas.com.
Footage via Vier: http://www.vier.be/tags/cyclocross
As always, if you like the songs on this episode, please visit the artist links below and buy the track or even the album.
Lady in Waiting~U.S. Royalty: https://usroyalty.bandcamp.com/track/lady-in-waiting
Hawk in Harness (Chris Sheldon Mix)~My First Tooth: https://myfirsttooth.bandcamp.com/track/hawk-in-harness-chris-sheldon-mix
Feelin’ It!~Ex Norwegian: http://shop.exnorwegian.com/album/feelin-it
Reggie Lewis~Sport: https://sport.bandcamp.com/track/reggie-lewis
Dreamers Asleep at the Wheel~The Ambulars: https://theambulars.bandcamp.com/album/dreamers-asleep-at-the-wheel
Cast a Shadow~Coves: https://soundcloud.com/coves/the-coves-cast-a-shadow-master
Thanks for watching.
SVENNESS and the #SVENNESS hashtag © 2014 CXHairs LLC
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