Canadian cyclocross riders continue to build on work done at home and abroad
The first major project for the working group was to boost our riders' experience with European racing over the month of January.
The past few years have seen more Canadians pursuing high-performance in cyclocross by traveling to UCI races across North America and participating in high-level racing at home, such as the national championships, held in Winnipeg the past two years. There was even a competitive selection process to choose a team of 16 attending the first North American World Cup this past September in Las Vegas that actually had to turn away riders. The cyclocross working group was formed by a group of Canada’s top riders and support staff to support this increased interest in ‘cross. The first major project for the working group was to boost our riders’ experience with European racing over the month of January.
During the Christmas holidays, while most Canadians enjoyed their time off, a group of Canadian athletes participated in the famed Christmas week, which included a World Cup at the world championship site, Circuit-Zolder as well as three to four other races during the course of the week. This World Cup race acted as a simulation for world championships, as Zolder will host the World’s as well on Jan. 30-31. At this preview race, project manager Scott Kelly said, “Canadians can compete with the best. We have proven that in MTB and road. A big part of that success is knowing the process, logistics, preparation, courses, routines, equipment, clothes, etc. Our goal with this camp is to expose the athletes to high-calibre European racing.”
Christmas week is an amazing experience. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day spectators pay to watch cyclocross races, just like we do over Christmas holidays at local and international hockey tournaments. The food, beverage and souvenir stands cater to the needs of thousands of fans. This is in contrast to the participant model of bike racing prevalent in North America. For the athlete, it takes some getting used to. Fans are looking for rider cards, photos and autographs from every rider on the start list. When you navigate through the crowds and acres of RVs, it’s a scenario not unlike a NFL game. Kelly said of the week, “Our elite riders posted some great results against tough international competition and there was visible learning and improvement taking place with our under-23 and junior athletes.”
National cyclocross champion Mical Dyck has been in Europe since mid-December taking in several World Cups and Christmas week in the build-up to worlds. Dyck won nationals in Winnipeg this past October and achieved the top Canadian worlds result last year with a 12th place in her first European cyclocross race. The increased support from the working group and the added experience and familiarity that this year’s long-term campaign in Europe should give Dyck a boost as she returns to worlds. Dyck was joined by Winnipeg’s Anna Schappert for the Christmas Cross portion of the European campaign but will be the sole elite female entered in the 2016 worlds.
The elite men include Aaron Schooler who has lived and raced in Germany the past few seasons and intends for this to be his last season racing in Europe. For him, being able to be part of this first Christmas Cross project provided him with a chance to share his experience and also make one last supported campaign in Europe.
Michael van den Ham has been over racing as a privateer at least once a week since November. At worlds, he’ll be riding with Cam Jette of Scott-3 Rox Racing. Jette was over early in the fall to gain experience to guide his preparation. “After acing in Europe this fall, I’ve adjusted my training by adding more running and low cadence work,” he said. “Cyclocross in Europe can feel like a different sport to what we’re used to North America. Being a strong runner and being able to push a big gear is very important.”
Jeremy Martin came to Europe early with Mical Dyck and took a week to get used to the area and time zone before taking on the Namur World Cup and the rest of Christmas Cross.
It will be interesting to watch where Canadian cyclocross goes in the next few years. With young riders such as Gunnar Holmgren and Brody Sanderson attending the Christmas camp and gaining exposure to racing and training in several areas in Europe, they start down a path of exposure that is similar to the path taken by successful North American cyclocross racers, such as Jeremy Powers.
Canadian fans of cyclocross, like you, can help the country’s athletes by donating to the Cycling Canada cyclocross program.
