EuroCrossCamp takes U.S. nationals podium finishers to Belgium
- By Brian Holcombe
- Published Dec. 18, 2010
With the close of the U.S. national cyclocross championships on Sunday comes the opening of the eighth edition of EuroCrossCamp. Geoff Proctor and USA Cycling team up over the next two weeks to host a set of the country’s most promising ’crossers, including the junior men 17-18 and U23 nationals podiums, for a run at World Cups and the Christmas week races in Belgium.
Nationals elite bronze medalist and U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross champion Jeremy Powers (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com) was among the riders attending the camp in its first year in 2003. Powers was 19 at the time and credits that trip for his success today.
“It opened a lot of doors for me. If you do well in Europe, you have a lot of opportunities,” Powers told VeloNews. “My time there set me up for the next two years to live there six months at a time. I learned so much about the lifestyle and the venues. I’m very grateful for Geoff.”
A mix of elite, U23 and junior men will take part in the camp, based at the USA Cycling team house in Izegem in East Flanders. Riders will contest a full calendar of World Cup, SuperPrestige and GVA Trofee events between December 18 and January 2. Additionally, the attendees will take part in a number of seminars touching on topics from sports psychology to what soigneurs do.
“It’s about the support. We’re all together, taking on the world on their environment,” Proctor told VeloNews. “It’s not a vacation. It’s work.”
EuroCrossCamp 2010-11 Rosters
Elite Men
Sean Babcock, 28, (Kona)
Ryan Knapp, 27, (BikeReg.com)
Ryan Iddings, 27, (Redline)
Mitchell Hoke 23, (Cliff Bar Development Team)
U23
Danny Summerhill, 22, (Garmin-Holowesko) *Men’s U23
Jerome Townsend, 22, (BikeReg.com/Joe’s Garage/Scott)
Steve Fisher, 21, (Rad Racing NW/Hagens-Berman)
Chris Hurst, 21, (Unattached)
Joe Schmalz, 21, (KCCX/Verge/Challenge)
Zach McDonald, 20, (Rapha/Focus Cyclocross Team)
Cody Kaiser, 19, (California Giant/Specialized)
Juniors
Yannick Eckmann, 18, (Hot Tubes Development Team)
Jeff Bahnson, 18, (Van Dessel Factory Team) *JM 17-18
Gunnar Bergey, 18, (C3-Athletes Serving Athletes)
Bjorn Fox, 18, (Clif Bar Development Team)
Kolben Preble, 18, (Clif Bar Development Team)
Jeremiah Dyer, 18, (Champion Systems/Cannondale)
Zane Godby, 17, (Clif Bar Development Team)
Cypress Gorry, 17, (WEB-OP)
Andrew Dillman, 17, (Red Zone Cycling)
*2010 national champion
EuroCrossCamp 2010-11 Calendar
Lichtervelde Cyclocross December 18
Kalmthout World Cup December 19
Zolder World Cup December 26
Diegem SuperPrestige December 27
Loenhout GVA Trofee December 29
Bredene Sylvester Cyclocross/Versluys Cyclocross December 30
Baal GVA Trofee January 1
Tervuren FIDEA Cyclocross January 2
FILED UNDER: Cyclocross / News TAGS: Cyclocross
Brian Holcombe
Brian Holcombe is the managing editor of Velo Magazine. Holcombe joined VeloNews in 2009 following years spent introducing students to whitewater kayaking and working in avalanche control, among other more risky ventures. His graduate work in communications at the University of Denver focuses on innovation and digital media management. Holcombe is a CSU Ram fan and proud parent and has been accused of attacking too much on the VN lunch ride. Follow him on Twitter @FCBrian.