Zdenek Stybar (Telenet Fidea) tears up the course in Hoogerheide, finishing 2nd, and securing his first elite Men’s World Cup overall title (photo: McKenney)

SRAM equipped racers continue the winning in 2010 by taking three cyclocross World Cup titles in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.  Teammates Zdenek Stybar and Tom Meeusen  (Telenet-Fidea) piloted their Red equipped Ridley X-Nights to the Elite and U-23 titles and Daphny Van den Brand (ZZPR.nl/Destil) locked up the women’s title on her Force equipped Merida.  All three head into next week’s World Championship on the short list of race favorites.

Stybar was supported by teammate Kevin Pauwels during the race, both riders will be lining up on the new Avid Shorty Ultimate brakes on what could be an icy course in Tabor.  Van den Brand will also be able to count on her trade teammate Sanne Van Paassen, both have been chosen for the Netherlands women’s team.

American Cycolcross Champion Tim Johnson warms up in Hoogerheide (photo: McKenney)

The talk in the American pits was not only looking forward to the Worlds next week but a possibility of Louisville, Kentucky hosting the event in 2013.  Both Katie Compton and Jeremy Powers were excited at the possibility of racing for rainbow stripes on home soil.  Katie is hoping a week of rest will see her to good form in Tabor while the Cyclocrossworld.com/Cannondale trio of Jeremy, Jamey Driscoll and Tim Johnson used Hoogerheide as a final tune up.  US National Champion Johnson took 32^nd on his first race in Europe this season while Driscoll (40^th) and Powers (51^st) added to a solid European campaign.  Meredith Miller (20^th, California Giant Berry) and Maureen Bruno Roy (23^rd, MMRacing p/b Seven Cycles) rounded out a strong showing by American riders heading to the Worlds.

Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com team wrench Stu Thorne preps bikes for the final World Cup race in Hoogerheide

Pictures and post provided by SRAM’s man on the streets in Europe, Chris McKenney.