Thank-You Daniel Ania Gonzalez

Your second-last place finish yesterday in Hoogerheide graciously interrupted the stranglehold on the last three spots that Canada's male CXers came dangerously close to pulling off. Three out of the four worst results we can live with. But a sweep of the inverse podium would have been a bit hard to swallow. So thanks for taking one for our team.

Then again, maybe our boys were just saving their energy for a full on assault at the world championships next weekend. Neils Albert certainly wasn't holding back anything yesterday. Nor was Katie Compton. They won their races with relative ease and head into next weekend as favourites in their respective races.

Given Jay's domination of the recent world cup races, he has to be reckoned the favourite to don the vicarious rainbows next weekend. For those who are new to the FGBC CX Pool or simply can't remember, it was Brad the Impaler who found himself standing atop the podium in the cherished rainbow speedos last year. He has worn the CX Pool's version of the rainbow jersey with the understated sophistication we have come to associate with our beloved Impaler. But barring a miracle, it looks like we will have a new world champion in the pool.

In any case, Jay won again yesterday. He finished with 915 points. That is his third win in the last four world cup races. He moves back into 5th overall. But with the extra points on hand next weekend, he has a legitimate shot at the overall podium. I finished second yesterday, with 890 points. Gary and King Andy each had 760 points to share third place.

Albert may not have held back yesterday. But he did hold back by opting out of Saturday's race in Zonnebeke. Stybar and Nys were there. But it was Rob Peeters who took the win. In the CX Pool, Matt found the top step of the podium in Zonnebeke. He had 355 points on the day. Miriam was second with 305 points. And Gary again shared the final podium step, this time with Cousin Adam. They had 270 points apiece.

Full results and overall standings here.