Racing CX in Europe is another level and I call it a different sport.
If you eventually want to make it at the highest level you have no choice than race there . So we created an opportunity for our Nieuwelingens (15-16’s) to go to Belgium and the Netherlands to see what it is all about.
We had 4 races on our schedule. One race in Belgium: Hever, and then 3 races in the Netherlands: Almelo, Hilversum, and Emmen. We did this block in collaboration with ECA (EuroCrossAcademy).
We also had the opportunity to train in the magical forest of Lichtaart with Tom DeKort and then in Gieten (the 1991 CX Worlds location with Jens Dekker and Bodi Del Grosso).
Along with the race experience our riders also got the full experience with travel, living in Europe, and all the sometimes complicated race logistics. Good money in the bank for years to come.
Hever was a typical Belgian National race in the field, “Mathieu” Matthew Crabbe managed to take the win in his very first European race. Quite the start to this block!
Lilliana ODonnell was 4th.
We moved to Netherlands after this race and based ourselves in the northern part of the country.
First race up was in Almelo and the Dutch Champions showed up. Muddy and a slightly more technical course. Mathieu 6th and Lilli 10th.
Wet and cold, even a little snow some mornings. Mid-week ride to the famous Vamberg or Col du Vam. 4800 cm altitude where both the European championships in road and CX have taken place.
Next up Hilversum. A very cool course entirely in the woods on trails, with 2 sand sections- another skill set needed. A unique course and a new experience with big fields and competition. Mathieu 2nd and Lilli 3rd.
Last and final race took place in Emmen, smaller/tighter/turny course and also slippery conditions.
Mathieu and Lilli both took the win, so a fantastic way of ending this racing block. A really great opportunity and an incredibly well supported trip for our riders!!
To hear more about how our riders thought of the experience- read Matthew and Lilli’s rider journals written for Velo News: