Should you haven’t watched the lads’s elite US cyclocross nationwide championship in Louisville, do your self a favor and test it out now — we’ll wait. Full contact racing and a battle for each function, that’s what nationwide championship racing is all about. There have been crashes, mechanicals, sharp elbows, and plenty of energy. Finally, on-lookers have been handled to an inspiring experience by the Pan-American champ (now present US Nationwide champ) Eric Brunner (WTB/Pivot Endurance).

We caught up with Eric and his crew earlier than the race and mentioned his Pivot Vault, tire choice, and the altering course circumstances.

The Race

When the lights turned inexperienced — the riders charged the slight uphill begin straight, battling to be first to the steps. Andrew Strohmeyer (CXD Trek Bikes) took the opening shot and rapidly distanced himself from the sector, with Brunner’s teammate Scott Funston (WTB/Pivot Endurance) on his wheel. After the primary lap, the duo was joined by defending champion Curtis White (Steve Tilford Basis) and former nationwide champion Eric Brunner.

The choose group traded blows on the entrance whereas jockeying for place into options. On lap three, Brunner and Strohmeyer join after the obstacles, combating for the lead. What appeared like a small bump became one thing extra. Sending Brunners Di2 derailleur into crash mode and sticking him in excessive gear on a muddy, difficult course. The identical factor would occur a couple of minutes later. Inflicting Brunner to dismount and troubleshoot the issue removed from pit two. The later crash mode incident would trigger Brunner to lose contact with the lead group. Ultimately drifting into sixth place behind Kerry Werner (Bikeflights p/b Kona Journey Group).

The following laps would see Funston and Strohmeyer duke it out, with Brunner a seeming afterthought. After a pit, nonetheless, Brunner rode himself again by means of the sector, surmounting a substantial hole. All through the following 4 laps, Brunner caught and handed Strohmeyer displaying his maturity and perseverance. In the long run, Brunner completed 9 seconds in entrance of Strohmeyer and 28 seconds in entrance of his teammate Funston.

Brunner pointed to the sky whereas crossing the road, dedicating his win to Magnus White. White was killed by a reckless driver whereas coaching within the lead-up to the UCI Highway World Championships in Glasgow.

Brunner began the 2023 season early. Racing the LifeTime Grand Prix and partnering with Pivot and WTB on a brand new endurance-focused crew. Brunner would pilot the Pivot Vault for many gravel races and the 2023 cyclocross season.

The Pivot Vault leans in the direction of gravel, sporting dropped seat stays and a vibration-damping seat tube, however it’s (clearly) succesful on the cross course. Brunner’s crew commented on the seatpost damper as a wonderful device for long-distance gravel racing however not a deciding issue for cyclocross.

Brunner’s Pivot Vault is decked out with a full Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed Di2. Brunner rides a conventional 46/39 double gearing within the entrance and 11-34 within the rear.

Bunner has run a double for a few years, and the setup is just like his customized Blue Cycles (featured right here).

The FSA/Imaginative and prescient cockpit is aero and tight. The match works properly with Brunner’s driving type and place on the bike. Brunner rolls the Imaginative and prescient Metron 4D aero bars and a FSA SLK 120mm stem. Just like the groupset, Brunner’s crew rolls on Shimano Dura-Ace tubular wheels with no matter tire most closely fits the course.

Since WTB sponsors the crew and doesn’t produce a ‘cross-tubular, Brunner is free to decide on the very best. The saddle, nonetheless, is all WTB, and like most road-focused WTB athletes, Brunner rolls on the WTB Gravelier. The entrance is slender with a number of thigh glide room, and could be straightforward for on/off the bike ‘cross work.

For our images and the race, the crew selected Dugast Rhino 33mm tires (one among our favorites). The Rhino has a fast-rolling heart tread and aspect knobs that grip properly in off-camber terrain. Moreover the grip, the Rhino clears mud rapidly. With a good quantity of pavement on the Louiseville course, the Dugast Rhino was a wonderful tire alternative. As for what’s subsequent; Brunner will head again to dwelling base in Colorado and prep for his lead-up to Worlds later within the new yr.

Eric Brunner’s Nationals Successful Pivot Vault

• Body/Fork: Pivot Vault
• Bar: Imaginative and prescient Metron 4D 40
• Stem: FSA SL-Okay 120mm
• Shifter/Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace R9200
• Rear Derailleur: Dura-Ace Di2 Rear Derailleur SHADOW RD 12-speed
• Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 170 46/39
• Cassette: Dura-Ace 11-34T
• Rotors: Dura-Ace 140
• Pedals: Shimano XTR
• Wheels: Dura-Ace
• Tires: Dugast Rhino 33 Storm Compound
• Saddle: WTB Gravelier
• Seatpost: FSA Okay-Power Gentle 27.2

For more information on Eric and his cyclocross program, take a look at WTB-Pivot-Endurance