EuroCrossCamp makes its return December 21 to January 6 of this year with nine Junior riders heading to Belgium for a strategic development Kerstperiode block of Belgian race and training. The enduring vision of the camp is to provide European race opportunities to young, aspiring American athletes.
“After a break last season, I’m really keen to get back to it, offering young riders opportunities to learn and grow,” said Geoff Proctor, long-time national team coach, MontanaCrossCamp and EuroCrossCamp Director. “I received a lot of encouragement from the ’cross community to bring it [EuroCrossCamp] back, so I was able to put the camp together pretty quickly.”
Elle Anderson finished on the podium at Superprestige Diegem as part of the EuroCrossCamp program. © Dan Seaton
Proctor selected this year’s nine-strong Junior team based on their domestic performances, evaluations from his summer MontanaCrossCamp [six of nine riders are MontanaCrossCamp alumni] and a network of coaches’ recommendations.
On the women’s side, Eleanor Dyas (Blue Ridge Cross), Ryley Mosher (Wheelworks Racing) and Skylar Bovine (CX Hairs Devo) highlight the WJR group and Proctor is excited to see these young women race 3 of the 4 Helen100 Series races in Loenhout, Baal and Brussels.
“These Junior Women 15-18 races are a perfect introduction to European racing for Ellie, Ryley and Skylar. A lot of thought went into planning their block—three races where they can really focus on the race dynamics and style of racing and then Diegem with the Elite Women.”
On the men’s side, 2019 Junior World Championship rider Lucas Stierwalt (Cincinnati Cyclocross/Aether Racing) and reigning US National 15-16 Champion Ivan Gallego (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) will complete the USAC MJR allocation for the World Cps in Namur and Zolder. Then, Ryder Uetrecht (ASU Devo), Max Palmer (Midwest Devo), Jamey Williams (Cincinnati Cyclocross), and Trevor August (Park Ave Bike p/b Borah Teamwear) will join Stierwalt and Gallego to race the icons: Loenhout DVV; Diegem SP; Baal DVV; and Brussels DVV.
For the first 9 years (2003-2011), EuroCrossCamp shared facilities with the USA U23 road program in Izegem, West Flanders. Then the camp moved to Vorselaar, near Antwerp, for 3 seasons (2012-2014). Thereafter, the program integrated into the USAC Cyclocross Development Program, based in Sittard, Netherlands. For 2019-20, EuroCrossCamp returns to its Vorselaar location.
“I’ve been at this game awhile, and there are lots of changes afoot right now in our discipline. I’m always learning. Certain aspects remain constant: the skillset, the demands, the satisfaction of doing well and thriving. It’s all there—front and center—in Euro cyclocross and I like building that spirit and ethos with young riders,” said Proctor.
Logan Owen and Curtis White shared the podium with Mathieu van der Poel at the Junior Men’s race in Loenhout in 2012. © Tom Robertson
Follow all the action here. IG @eurocrosscampofficial (new account); @eurocrosscamp (old account). Twitter: @eurocrosscamp.
And, over the upcoming Kerstperiode, look for the return of the young riders’ journals here at Cyclocross Magazine.
Race Program
22 December Namur WC
26 December Zolder WC
27 December Loenhout DVV
29 December Diegem SP
1 January Baal DVV
5 January Brussels DVV
Roster
Junior Women
Skylar Bovine, 17, CX Hairs Devo, Gibonville, NC
Eleanor Dyas, 18, Blue Ridge Cross, Carmel, IN
Ryley Mosher, 18, Wheelworks Racing, Boxborough, MA
Junior Men
Lucas Stierwalt, 18, Cincinnati Cyclocross, Aether Racing, Maineville, OH
Ivan Gallego, 17, Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com, Missoula, MT
Ryder Uetrecht, 18, ASU Devo, Bend, OR
Max Palmer, 17, Midwest Devo, Zionsville, IN
Jamie Williams, 18, Lionhearts Junior Racing/Cincinnati Cyclocross, Mason, OH
Trevor August, 18, Park Ave Bike pb Borah Teamwear, Pittsford, NY
