Rain, mud, snow and cold weather, in other words: cyclocross time! First my own training and then watch it on tv! In Holland during the weekends I used to go crossing in the forest around my parents home in Putten, every weekend there are tours for MTB or cyclocross organized by local cycle clubs. The tours are always different and even when you know the area well the weather conditions take care for some surprises. Slippery mud, water pools that are deeper than you thought, snow that covers the fallen branches and holes in the tracks, perfect winter training!

And when you come home tired, hungry and cold you make a lovely lunch, you take a warm bath and look at the clock: Just in time for Sporza to watch the heroes of cyclocross! Relaxed on the couch, to see Sven Nijs, Lars Boom (last year), Bart Wellens, Niels Albert and Stybar fighting for their victory. Sitting (laying) on the couch I got sleepy and like always I fell asleep during the final lap and missed the finish. (Fortunately the Belgians are great in making fast summaries of the competition!)

But why do I think of this here in Italy? Because it is Christmas, and Christmas means Christmas cyclocrosses. So today after my training, a warm shower and a nice lunch I watched the summary of the cross in Kalmthout on internet from my bed and of course I did fall asleep…

Auguri e Buon Natale a tutti!