For SVENNESS Episode 3.9 we are at the Flandriencross in Hamme for the third round of the BPost Bank Troffee series. The track is one of the fastest we will see this year, which means the race takes on the look and feel of a road circuit race more than a cyclocross race. No mud or big run-ups to deal with but that doesn’t mean there isn’t excitement. This one is all go from the gun and the rare occasion in which multiple team leaders use teammates to strategically control the race.

Along with concentrating on team tactics, we also determine if riding or running the barriers at Flandriencross is faster and what is the most efficient way to carry your bike up a set of stairs with a turn at the top. This race is one of the first all out battles between Wout van Aert and Matthieu van der Poel. A scenario we suspect will repeat itself many times in the years to come.

Footage for this episode via Sporza.

Music by:

You Light Me Up~Evolfo: evolfodoofeht.bandcamp.com/track/you-light-me-up

Owls~A Drop of Blood: topshelfrecords.bandcamp.com/track/a-drop-of-blood

Ronny’s Song~Mike Sill: mikesillmusic.bandcamp.com/track/ronnys-song

The Villain~Mesita: mesita.bandcamp.com/track/the-villain-2

Half Bad~White Reaper: whitereaper.bandcamp.com/track/half-bad-2

Dance With The Dead~The Entity: newretrowave.bandcamp.com/track/the-entity

Following the postponement of the U.S. Cyclocross Nationals final day, we were stuck with boxes of unsold books, shirts, socks and other merchandise. To support In The Crosshairs and the SVENNESS and LIKEAVOS series, please visit crosshairscycling.com/shop. For a limited time, if you use the coupon CXNats15 you will receive 15 percent off your order.

Thanks for watching.