Michael van den Ham is dialed in for nationals

Saturday is the Canadian cyclocross championships in Sherbrooke, Que. We talked to 2013 under-23 champion Michael van den Ham about his new ride, upcoming races in Europe in the Christmas Cross program and what the Garneau-Easton rider expects on Saturday.

What has your season been like so far?
Busy! Between starting a new job, moving to Abbotsford, and racing in Iowa City, Las Vegas, Madison, Baltimore, Boulder, and a couple of times locally, I feel like I’ve been on the go since August.

As far as results go, I’ve been satisfied with my start to year, but I feel like I haven’t shown my best just yet. Landing a couple podiums at the US Open of Cyclocross races in Boulder two weeks again certainly makes me confident in my form, but I’m still working towards a race where everything comes together and I get to finish the day by standing on the top step. I don’t think it’s any secret that I’m hoping that happens this weekend!

Is your rig or your gear any different this year?

Yes! This year the team is riding the new Garneau Steeple. The geometry is almost the same as the model we were on last year, but it’s moved to 12-mm front and rear thru axles and dropped a few grams. On that weight saving note, I’ve started running Easton’s lighter E100 carbon bar. People get scared by carbon bars in cross, but these things are bombproof. The only other change is that I’m running the full line of Vittoria Terrano tires. I was prototyping a few of the models last year, but they’ve made a couple changes since then and pumped (pun intended) on the three models.

Besides that, the bike is the same as last year: Crankbrothers Candy 11s, Easton wheels, bar, stem, seatpost, crank, and powermeter. The whole set up builds to a 16.5 lbs (7.48 kp) super bike.

As far a equipment partners go, we’ve welcomed Muc Off, Lezyne, and 100% as new partners for the team. I’ll be using the Muc Off Hydro Dynamic lube, the Leyzne Micro C watch, and wearing the 100% Speedcraft SL’s when I line up on Saturday.

What are you expecting from the Sherbrooke course?

Well, after last year we all know that it can get pretty muddy! It looks like there is a lot of rain in the forecast today and a little tomorrow before drying out for the weekend. I’m expecting things to be muddy in pre-ride tomorrow, but for the mud to start packing out into ruts by the time we race on Saturday. If it’s anything like last year, the course is pretty narrow and full of tricky features, so when you pair that with some moisture, I think we’ll see individual riders after the first couple of laps instead of groups.

With reigning champ Jérémy Martin retiring and Aaron Schooler racing Masters, is Geoff Kabush your biggest rival this year?

Yeah, I certainly think so. Geoff is always going to a be a threat for the win. Besides that, I think Mark McConnell, Craig Richey, Derrick St. John, and Evan McNeely will all be near the front the race and have a shot at the podium if not the win.

You were the top elite male in the first two World Cups of the season. Last year you were able to slip in a European World Cup before the worlds? Is that on your calendar again this year as well? Maybe Hoogerheide again?

I’m actually planning on going over for Christmas Cross this year in a addition to a trip around worlds. I’m not sure exactly what my schedule will be yet when I’m over there yet, but I do know that the only way to keep improving against those European fields is to plug away at it year after year.