THE KONA CYCLOCROSS TEAM AT THE WORLD 'CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ZEDDAM, NETHERLANDS

Friday 27th to Monday 30th January 2006:
In what was a fitting farewell (maybe) Ann Knapp once again was the top North American finisher at the Cyclocross World Championships in Zeddam, Netherlands in 9th place. Ann Knapp had a very good ride from a poor fourth row starting position, a victim of not many UCI points. Knapp as usual powered through the field and fought for every place to the end. Knapp said "I felt really good today. It's so great to have all the US fans out here like the Portland Cross Crusade Crew. You hear them yelling for you and you say to yourself, hey I better get going." The Queen of Cross, Ann Knapp, never ceases to amaze us and just keeps on going and the sport will miss her presence in the elite ranks for sure.


Fellow Kona rider and Canadian Team member Wendy Simms had a ride that was not what she hoped for. Much of the Canadian team had been fighting illness and Simms just couldn't seem to find the focus or the legs. Some of the off camber technical sections which normally Simms excels at took their tollon her . This was and indication is was goin to be a tough day. She fought mid pack for most of the race to finish 22nd.

Barry Wicks put in the top ride for the Kona Men for the day. Wicks was strong from the start and was primed for a top 20 finish when a rear flat far from the pits cost him much time before he could get a spare bike. Later in the race after chasing hard to regain position he hooked a post, damaged a shifter and once again returned to the pits this time with a broken derailleur cable. Wicks had a very strong ride and a bit of bad luck but the legs were there and he is showing form that will undoubtedly show him to be more competitive on a World Cup level next year. He finished the day in 33rd position.

Erik Tonkin's ride in his words was "one of the three worst races of my career. I've been feeling stronger than ever this whole week and for some reason today the legs just weren't there. Nothing in them whatsoever." But in the style that has gained him his own Belgian fan club Tonkin raced hard to the end picking off as many riders as possible. His fan club was at the bottom of a pivotal run up and it was a sound to be heard of Belgian chanting Tonkin, Tonkin, Tonkin complete with Flanders accents. Tonkin finished the day in 48th.