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‘I hadn’t really thought of racing a World Cup before’

Julie van der Hoop of Richmond, B.C. represented Canada at the Bogense cyclocross World Cup

Photo: Ove Jørgensen

 

The cyclocross field at a World Cup is peppered with professional racers. With limited funding, few Canadians make the trip across the pond to Europe to contest the mid-season races on the calendar. At the fourth round of the UCI cyclocross World Cup in Bogense, Denmark, there were only two Canadians on the entire start list. Julie van der Hoop of Richmond, B.C. was the only Canadian racing in the elite category in Bogense.

An amateur racer who’s raced nationals and UCI races on the American calendar, van der Hoop moved to Denmark for a postdoctoral fellowship at Aarhus University in February. “I study marine mammal physiology and energetics—it’s pretty cool that I measure some of the same things on myself (heart rate, power output and VO2) as I do on dolphins,” she said.

Following her ride at the World Cup Bogense, Canadian Cycling Magazine caught up with van der Hoop from her adopted home in Aarhus.

When did you start racing cyclocross? Was racing a World Cup ever an ambition of yours?

My first cyclocross race was in 2012, on a borrowed bike. Immediately after the race, I wondered if it would be too eager to just buy a bike then and there. I loved how fun the sport was, and how much I could laugh at myself; it was a nice break from road cycling, which I took more seriously at the time. As I got better at ‘cross, I became more competitive, but I’ve always tried to keep things in perspective: I’m a professional scientist, not a professional cyclist. I hadn’t really thought of racing a World Cup before, so this was a really amazing opportunity.

How many cross races have you done this season?

This season has been different for me. Immediately after coming off my best results and season in the U.S. (fourth at USA Collegiate Nationals, regular top-20 finishes in UCI races), I moved to Denmark where I had to get used to a new job, work and travel schedule. I was mostly riding for fun and wondering how cycling was going to fit into my years in Denmark. I was preparing for Canadian cyclocross nationals when I ended up with stitches in my knee, which kept me off the bike for a month. Sherbrooke was actually my first race of the season and the World Cup only my third.

Photo: Peter Geelen

When did you realize racing the World Cup might be a possibility? 

I had toyed with the crazy idea of racing the Bogense World Cup since it was so close and so many friends encouraged me. I reached out to Cycling Canada and some Canadian racers to confirm I qualified—how could I pass up the opportunity? Kind of like competing in Canadian nationals so soon after injury, I knew that my performance wouldn’t be my top notch, but that it would be better than if I didn’t go for it.

Who was there to support you?

Scott Kelly with Cycling Canada was the official liaison. He and some local Danish racers, as well as friends from the New England scene (Becca Fahringer, Stephen Hyde, Ellen Noble) were so helpful, especially as it was my first time going through some of the process. As I don’t have a team right now, the NECX network was so supportive in making sure I had everything dialed. It felt like home again in our little corner of team parking.

What did you expect from the race?

I expected it to be very hard… My goal was to finish better than I started and to be smart – same as most cyclocross races, really.

Photo: Jeff Gloden

What was the course like?

It was pretty wild! The winds were really high which made for interesting tactics on the flats, and the other sections were really steep but slick. We’d ridden most of the features during warm-up on Saturday, but some moisture had made the features pretty unrideable for most of Sunday’s races. The course really highlighted the little seaside village, and I hope that the World Championship course for 2019 can have a bit more flow to it.

RELATED: Mathieu van der Poel versus the Bogense hill

How was the experience racing your first World Cup?

I have to be happy! I got to race a World Cup and represent Canada! I finished better than I started, I stayed upright and I raced smart despite an early mistake. I know so much more about the experience now and can only do better next time.

Will you do this again and what’s next for you?

I hope to! Racing in Europe continues until February, so I have some more races on the schedule and maybe another World Cup after the holidays. Mostly, I’m looking at next season and trying to figure out a bit more about team opportunities and who I might represent as a Canadian athlete racing abroad. Coincidentally, I’ll be here until February 2019, just in time for worlds in Bogense.