By Jeremy Dunn • 3rd January 2013 • Posted in Team
Photos by J. Dunn
You can count on a few things in the New Year and one of those would have to be the GP Hotel Threeland in Pétange, Luxembourg. Current world champion Marianne Vos has taken part in this race for going on nine years and this year was no exception. She had the run of the front followed only by Team Rapha-FOCUS racers Jasmin Achermann and Julie Krasniak. This was Julie's second time at the race which takes place 70km away from her hometown of Metz, France. It is one of the closest things to a 'grassroots' cross race here in Europe as the cars and vans of the riders themselves line the steep start of the race.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 29th December 2012 • Posted in Team
photography by Emily Maye
If you have been following photographer Emily Maye for the last couple of weeks you may have noticed that she is in Belgium. The 'Christmas Cross' week of races provide more than enough cyclocross action to fill up the hours during the holidays. Although you may have been feasting on all the cookies, cakes and candies you can get your hands on, Emily has been busy capturing the best Cyclocross racing in the World. In the past week she caught up with Team Rapha-FOCUS as they took on two UCI World Cup races — Namur on the 23rd of December followed closely by Heusden-Zolder on the 26th. These two races put everyone a few steps closer to the World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on the first weekend in February. Each high profile race between now and then will be a test to see who might take the Rainbow Jersey as the Worlds race moves away from mainland Europe for the first time.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 14th December 2012 • Posted in Team
Photos by Slate Olson from Tabor World Cup
Interview by Chris DiStefano
It may seem like the cyclocross season is coming to a close for some. For those based in Europe and those Americans headed that way for the Christmas cross week, it has only just begun. Chris DiStefano checked in with Jasmin Achermann, the Swiss National Champion, Rapha-FOCUS rider and experimental baker who recently took third spot at the World Cup in Roubaix. That's the top finish for Team Rapha-FOCUS so far this year with Jeremy Power's 6th in the Czech Republic coming in hot on her heels.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 23rd November 2012 • Posted in Team
There has been a growing buzz over the Rapha-FOCUS Oakley sunglasses that the team have been wearing this season. What are they? Where can we get them? Well, now we have those answers.
To aid the team in their quest for success on the global cyclocross circuits as well as in the United States, Oakley put together a one-two punch of custom Radarlocks for racing and some special edition Frogskins – for lounging – to keep them protected and looking stylish wherever they go.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 8th November 2012 • Posted in Team
Tune in right here on the blog this weekend to watch the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross live. We have partnered with the USGP and Velonews to provide live racing coverage and insights at the Derby City races this weekend. The Women’s UCI Elite race kicks things off Saturday and Sunday at 2:15pm EST and the UCI Elite Men do their thing both days at 3:30pm EST. What we are hoping is to provide some insight into the race as it unfolds and to do that we have elicited the help of professional cyclocross racer Meredith Miller. Meredith broke her hand earlier in the season and has been out of competition since. She has taken the time off to commentate on some of the racing that has been happening in the US and Europe. There are other ways to follow along on as well — Twitter: Rapha: @rapha_n_america & Meredith: @MMcyclist and Instagram: @Rapha_N_America as we broadcast live racing.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 25th October 2012 • Posted in Team
Photos from Trek US Gran Prix of Cyclocross - Interview by Chris DiStefano
Chris Jones placed 2nd on the final day of the USGP in Fort Collins, Colorado. A stunning result any way that you slice it. However, coming off of his most successful road season to date with a 5th place finish at the Tour of Britain it is clear that this Rapha-FOCUS racer means business no matter what the sport. The fact that he has an engineering degree is another notch on that belt. Last year Tom Southam did an in depth sit down with Mr. Jones - A Man For All Seasons and this year he has proven that statement to be true. This should serve as an update to that conversation and a continuation of Chris DiStefano's interviews with Team Rapha-FOCUS.
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By Jeremy Dunn • 12th October 2012 • Posted in Team
Photos from Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester - Interview by Chris DiStefano
The Cyclocross season has only just begun for Zach McDonald. As the weather takes a turn for the worse, his top-notch skills in the mud and slop have come to the fore. A few weeks ago, on day two of the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester, he put in a solid 5th place ride. Storms throughout the night had turned the previous day's course into a mess. Faces were covered, bikes were covered, and the fans were covered with mud, cheering for Zach and his Team Rapha-FOCUS compatriots as they raced from corner to straight. If there was ever a doubt in the minds of the pundits, it was wiped clean the next weekend at the Providence Cyclocross Festival. On the second day, when the clouds opened up and let loose, Zach was at his very best, taking his first UCI C2 win.
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