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2024 Exact Cross Beringen Preview: Star Cyclists Van Empel, Nys, and Iserbyt Set to Shine

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Friday, October 11, 2024 at 1:55 PM

Finally! This weekend the Belgian cyclo-cross season kicks off in Beringen. The first round of the Exact Cross is on the program, and many big names will immediately be in action. We are looking forward to Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts, Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand, among others. CyclingFlits looks ahead.

History

Last year





Course

The course in Beringen has been adjusted here and there this year. One of the new features is the start and finish location. “There is a construction site next to the previous start and finish location, so we had to move around a bit. The start is now behind the diving center, which has stretched the course somewhat. That is certainly not a bad thing,” course designer Erwin Vervecken tells us.

The other big adjustment is the steep descent. There was a lot of criticism last year after several riders crashed. “We have therefore decided to redesign that descent. Now there is a kink halfway through the descent. It is therefore less steep than last year, which means the speed will also be lower. It will be much more under control now.”

Furthermore, the crossers will climb the mine slag heap, as we are used to in Beringen. Last year it was decided not to send the cross riders to the top anymore, a decision with the Cyclo-Cross Championships in 2026 in mind. The Belgian federation did not want the 2026 Belgian Championship to become a climbing cross.

Program and information

Program Saturday October 12, 2024
2.45 pm: Junior men
4.15pm: Elite women and youth categories
5:30 PM: Elite men

Location
Be-MINE Beringen mine slag heap
Entrance: 16 euros in advance, 18 euros on site. Children up to 12 years old can enter for free.

Practical information
Website organization

Favorites men

There are many big names who will kick off the new cyclo-cross season. The biggest name is hands down Thibau Nys. The Flemish Brabander had a particularly good summer on the road with no fewer than nine victories. His road season ended at the end of August, after which – after a period of rest – he focused on the cyclo-cross season. That did not go without a struggle, because Nys became very ill. His preparation for the cyclo-cross season did not go very smoothly.

The now experienced That is, Iserbyt had good preparation. “Everyone encounters something, but all in all it went well. I’m already pretty good,” the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal rider said last week CyclingFlits. It is therefore not illogical that we see Iserbyt as the top favorite for Beringen.

Nys, to his own credit, faces doubts at the start of the new season – photo: Cor Vos READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Toon Aerts We would also expect many chances, but he will have to start from the back of the field again due to a lack of UCI points. That is a huge disadvantage, although Aerts proved last year that he can even manage to compete for the podium places. Aerts also finished a very strong tenth at the Gravel World Championships. We also expect a lot from established names Lars van der Haar. The Dutchman from Baloise Trek Lions was again extremely consistent last year with more than 20 finishes in the top 5.

Furthermore, it is something to look forward to Michael Vanthourenhout. He did get sick last week, so it remains to be seen how well he will be. Someone like Lander Loockx should also be able to come close to the podium, but we might expect more from him Niels Vandeputte. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider won his first cross of the season last weekend at the Brumath Bike Festival (C1) and is therefore brimming with confidence.

Other riders to keep an eye on are Emiel Verstrynge and Ryan Kamp. Laurens Sweeck, Pim Ronhaar and Gerben Kuypers are not there yet. The participation of Joris Nieuwenhuis is not yet certain.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** That is, Iserbyt
** Thibau Nys, Toon Aerts
* Lars van der Haar, Michael Vanthourenhout, Niels Vandeputte

Favorites women

While it was very exciting for the men last year until the last seconds, it was completely different for the women. Fem van Empel drove away quickly about a year ago, leaving everything and everyone behind him. The chance that that will also be the case this year is not small. Van Empel, who plays for Visma | Lease a Bike is simply by far the best cyclo-cross rider, especially if Puck Pieterse is not there yet.

Lucinda Brand is, however, able to occasionally challenge Van Empel. She did that a number of times last season, despite having a season with a lot of bad luck. Now she had a great summer, so we expect quite a lot from her. Who knows, the Dutch van Baloise could surprise Trek Lions in Beringen.

Brand finished third last year at the World Championships in Tábor – photo: Cor Vos

Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado was one of the many winners last year. She won six crosses and the final classification of the World Cup and the Superprestige. A strong season by the rider from the Roodhooft camp. Last year she was the rider who came closest to Van Empel, although that was by more than a minute.

Behind Van Empel, Brand and Alvarado, we are looking forward to three other Dutch women: Annemarie Worst, Aniek van Alphen in Inge van der Heijden. The three women, who also match very well, are the challengers for the podium. Van Alphen and Van der Heijden have already ridden crosses this season, and with success. Van Alphen has already won twice, Van der Heijden once. Finally, we would like to mention Denise Betsema, Sara Casasola and Marion Norbert Riberolle.

Favorites according to WielerFlits
*** Fem van Empel
** Lucinda Brand, Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado
* Inge van der Heijden, Aniek van Alphen, Annemarie Worst

Weather and TV

The weather forecast for Saturday is okay. No rain is expected, but it certainly won’t be warm either. The temperatures will be more like autumn, around 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. The crossers should not expect a strong wind in Beringen.

The Exact Cross in Beringen can certainly be watched on television! The cyclocross can be seen live on Sporza – on VRT Canvas -, Eurosport 1 and via the HBO Max and Discovery+ channels. Please note, the cross in Beringen has special starting times. View all TV channels and broadcast times in our TV guide Cycling on TV.

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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Our Expert’s Pick of the Day: Bet on the Steelers and Lions

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Are you ready for two NFL betting suggestions for Week 6?

CHOICE #1

My first choice is the game between the Pittsburgh Raiders defeated Chargers in final play in overtime”>Steelers and the Las Vegas Raiders. In this game, I’m betting on the first half point spread in favor of the Steelers.

I like the Pittsburgh club’s chances in this matchup, but a three-point spread for the entire game doesn’t reassure me much. It’s hard to bet on a team that has averaged 18.4 points per game and is favored by three points in an away game. For this reason, I chose to bet on the lead in the first half.

The Raiders are a disaster. Wide receiver Davante Adams has asked to be traded, and there are rumors that some players are unhappy with their coach, Antonio Pierce. Maxx Crosby played through a sprained ankle last week, but the team will be without Christian Wilkins on Sunday. Additionally, three of their offensive linemen are currently questionable cases.

After surprising the NFL world by beating the Baltimore Ravens, the Raiders followed with a horrendous 36-22 loss at home to the weak Carolina Panthers. They then took advantage of DeShaun Watson’s largesse to win, before losing 34-18 to the Denver Broncos last week.

For me, it comes down to the fact that Pittsburgh’s defense is much better than Vegas’. The Steelers weren’t very impressive on offense against the Dallas Cowboys last week, but things will be easier against the Raiders.

The state of mind is probably much better on the Pittsburgh side. After starting the season 3-0, they lost their last two games, and I think they will get back to winning ways this week. They will start strong against a rusty Aidan O’Connell, who will make his first start in 2024.

CHOICE #2

We have a great NFC game taking place at the beautiful AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In this game, I am betting on the Detroit Lions.

Jared Goff lacks mobility, so he tends to struggle under pressure. When he has time to analyze the field, he dissects the defense.

Knowing this, who will put pressure on Goff in this matchup? The Cowboys will be without their two best quarterback hunters, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. Even defensive end Marshawn Kneeland will not be in the game. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Linebacker Eric Kendricks made a big impact in his first month with his new team. However, he is hampered by calf and shoulder injuries, so he could be sidelined. It would be a big blow for this defense.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s offense is healthy, while their defense will have safety Brian Branch back.

I’ve read statistical reports that show that elite teams after their bye week tend to perform well. In other words, they really benefit from the extra time. Also, the away favorites after their bye week beat the point spread at a high rate.

The Lions meet both of those criteria, so I like our chances of winning this bet.

The little extra is the “revenge” factor. Do you remember last year’s meeting between these two teams? The Lions scored a touchdown with 23 seconds left and trailed by one point. Instead of attempting the extra point to send the game into overtime, they decided to attempt a two-point conversion.

Offensive lineman Taylor Decker caught a pass on what appeared to be the game-winning play, but he was ruled ineligible as a receiver. The video shows him talking to the referee before the play, so it looked like a bad call. Coach Dan Campbell still seems upset about the game, which should add some extra motivation.

I also think the Cowboys will play under pressure. After winning 16 straight home games, they lost their first two home games this season.

Detroit’s offense wasn’t in great shape through the first three games, averaging 18.7 points scored per game. But they ultimately exploded for 42 points against the Seattle Seahawks, so I think they’ll continue that momentum. I don’t think Dallas can stop them with all these missing pieces on defense.

Have a great and lucrative weekend, my sports bettor friends!

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