Interview Milana Ushakova

Winning your first elite race at the age of 17. It's an achievement that Milana Ushakova already has on her palmares. Last Saturday, she won against mature riders who already won UCI races before. The young Ukrainian is ambitious to keep growing in the sport and aims to become a professional at the highest level. A thousand miles from her tortured homeland, she tries to live her cycling journey in Belgium. Get to know a rider who you might see more often on top of the results sheets this year, and perhaps even on the podium of the Worlds. 

You already won your first race of the season. How would you describe the start of this Spring?

Well, I feel a lot of progress that I have made compared to last year. I am very glad that I have already won two races and also took third place. I also wanted to show a good result at Binda, but unfortunately my sprint was not good, but I’m still glad that I finished in the first group in such a difficult race.

What are the biggest challenges in cycling for you?

Difficult question. Cycling in general is not an easy sport. What’s difficult for me is technical skills. Choosing and maintaining a position in a mass sprint is probably the most difficult thing for me, but I’m working on it.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

Become a professional cyclist. Go to the World Tour team . This is my goal, I know it will be very hard to achieve, but I will do my best.

Where will you race this year?

I don’t have a clear plan yet, unfortunately. I must pass the selection in June. I really hope that I will qualify and have a chance to compete at the World- and European Championships on the track and road. But now prepare for EPZ Omloop van Borsele and Tour du Gévaudan.

How did you discover cycling?

This is not a popular sport in Ukraine, but not far from where I lived there was a track. So my brother started training and competing, and I decided to try it too.

How do you feel about the situation in your homeland Ukraine?

War is the worst thing that can happen, it’s terrible that it happened in my country. My life will never be the same again, and I will always miss that time before the war...

What are your biggest passions outside cycling?

I have been playing the piano since childhood and I love it very much. Now I continue to study music at the conservatory and I like it, but not more than cycling😉

What are your strenghts & weaknesses as a cyclist?

I’m probably more of a hill racer and a time trialist. My weakness is mass sprinting, but I’m trying my best to fix it.

 Interview Carl Fredrik Hagen

From the continental level to the top of grand tour racing in one year. Carl Fredrik Hagen managed it in 2019. The Norwegian was the revelation of La Vuelta by finishing on the 8th spot. This season, he rides in the colours of Q36.5, where he wants to taste another success this year. In this interview, the now 32 years old rider talks in this interview about his own ambitions, his experiences and the changes in the sport. 

You finished 8th in La Vuelta before. How did you experience those 3 weeks?

That were three very hard and tough weeks. Physically but also mentally. But I impressed myself to be up there in the last week with good focus and good legs. I also had a good DS that told me what to do every day and do it simple.

Was it a specific goal for you before the race or did you even suprise yourself?

I had a goal to be top 20. So yes, that was a bit surprise for me :)

You made the step up from the continental level to the World Tour in one year. How was this step for you?

It was a big step in one way. It was a bigger team, more people, more races, higher level. But in the other way, I just continued to ride my bike and push the pedals. I also Rode pro races as continetal rider.

How did you see the sport evolve throughout your carreer so far?

The sport has taken big steps every year. Especially after covid in 2020. Equipment, the general fitness level and the tactics.

What would you like to improve in the sport?

sport in general: the safety. For me: be stronger in the climbs and more explosive.

What are your ambitions for this season?

WIN. And be up there for good GC results. And helping my team, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team to sucess.

What is your role in the team?

GC leader and mountain/climber domestique. Depends of the race and plan for the race.

What is your carreer highlight so far?

8th. GC in La Vuelta

Interview Julie Bego (EN)

 Interview Julie Bego

Last year, she became junior worldchampion. This year, she's already sprinting for podium spots in the elite category. Julie Bego is one of the big talents to watch this season and she's not afraid to even challenge herself in the biggest races on the calendar. At the age of 19, she wants to gain a lot of new experiences. The young futur engineer is curious about many things in and outside the sport and lets you get to know her better through this interview.

You already finished fourth between some of the best riders in the World. How did you experience racing in the elite peloton?

I was statisfied to finish 4^th in Trofeo Oro even that I made some mistakes like attacking too early on the hill and launching the sprint too early before the finish but in general it was a good race. At the start of the season, I didn't have a lot of luck. I was involved in a crash at the Vuelta CV and when I was in a goood breakaway in the Setmana Valencia, I was ill.

That said, I feel that I made progress and that I reached a higher physical level in comparing with the previous years. This year, I have a program where I will sometimes be able to discover big races like Strade Bianche, last Saturday and do some smaller races like Trofeo Oro, where it's easier to show myself. For now, I see that World Tour races are really more difficult. The level is higher. I also struggle more technically to secure my place in the peloton for example. But it's a good thing to be able to gain experience on this courses in my first year as a pro.

Last year, you became Worldchampion in the juniors category. How was this day for you?

This day remains a unique and unforgetable memory. It was very special because I thought about worldchampionships for a long time. It was really my goal for the season. The atmosphere in the team was really incredible. We really got along well together. We were laughing a lot and apart from the world title, I also had many other beautiful memories about this Worlds.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

My dream is to win the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. But there is still a long road to it.

Are there cyclists or other people that have inspired you to do sports?

When I was little, my favourite athlete was Usain Bolt. At the track, it looked all very easy but when I saw the documentary about the end of his career, I saw him training and I understood that training is very hard. When I was little, I was doing sprints in the garden to imitate him.

In which races will you take part this year?

Normally, I will discover the Ardennes classics this year. After that I will do some stage races and the French championships. I don't know yet if I will do a grand tour or not. That depends on my level. I also would like to do the Tour de l'Avenir with the French national team.

What are your interests outside cycling?

I like science very much and I do my studies on the Engineer School of Polytech Chambérè. I also like to read and to walk in the mountains.

Are there things/rituals that you do ahead of every race?

No, I don't have a ritual because I don't like that. Even for the warming-up before the time trial for example and I don't like to follow a strict protocol. I prefer to do it by how I feel on that day.

This Winter, you also took part in cyclocross. Do you also have ambitions in this discipline?

This Winter, I have only done cyclocross in my region to not get too tired by long travel and to prepare myself well for road cycling. I always loved to do cyclocross. That helped me to make progression and and to take part in comepetitions in the Winter period. Next year, I would like to try to qualify myself for the Worldchampionships in France, who will be in Lièvin on a parcours that I know well. But it will depend on my level. If I'm not with the best U23 riders, I think that I will focus more on the road.

Interview Julie Bego (FR)

 Interview Julie Bego 

L'année dernière, elle est devenue championne du monde junior. Cette année, elle se lance déjà à l'assaut des podiums dans la catégorie élite. Julie Bego est l'un des grands talents à suivre cette saison et elle n'a pas peur de se lancer des défis dans les plus grandes courses du calendrier. À 19 ans, elle souhaite acquérir de nouvelles expériences. La jeune future ingénieure est curieuse de beaucoup de choses dans et en dehors du sport et vous permet de mieux la connaître à travers cette interview.

Tu as déjà fini quatrième entre les meilleures cyclistes du monde. Comment tu expérience les courses chez les élites?

J'étais contente de finir 4 ème au Trofeo Oro même si j'ai fait quelques erreurs comme attaquer trop tôt dans la côte et lancer le sprint trop tôt à l'arrivée mais globalement ça reste une bonne course.

En ce début de saison, je n'ai pas eu trop de chance je suis gênée par une chute à la vuelta CV alors que j'étais dans la bonne échappée et à Setmana Valencia je suis tombée malade... Ceci dit je sens que j'ai progressé et passé un cap physiquement par rapport aux années précédentes.

Cette année j'ai un programme de courses dans lequel je vais à la fois découvrir des grandes courses comme les Strade Bianche samedi dernier et faire des plus petites courses comme Trofeo Oro où il est plus facile de s'exprimer. Pour l'instant je vois que les courses World tour c'est vraiment plus dur, le niveau est plus élevé. J'ai aussi plus de mal techniquement dans le placement dans le peloton par exemple. Mais c'est une bonne chose de pouvoir prendre de l'expérience sur ces courses dès ma première année pro.

L'année passée, tu es devenu championne du monde chez les juniors. Comment était ce jour pour toi?

Ce jour restera un souvenir unique et inoubliable. C'était très spécial car je pensais à ces championnats du monde depuis longtemps c'était vraiment l'objectif de ma saison.

De plus l'ambiance dans l'équipe était incroyable nous étions très soudées, nous rigolions beaucoup et au delà du titre de championne de monde j'ai plein d'autres bons souvenirs sur ces mondiaux !

Quelles sont tes ambitions dans le sport?

Mon rêve ce serait de gagner le Tour de France et les jeux olympiques. Mais il reste beaucoup de chemin à parcourir.

Il y a des cyclistes ou des autres gens qui t'ont inspiré pour entrer le sport?

Quand j'étais petite mon sportif préféré était Usain Bolt. En course il avait l'air tellement facile mais quand j'ai vu le reportage à la fin de sa carrière où on le voyait s'entraîner j'ai compris qu'il s'entraîner très dur. Petite je fesais des séries de sprints dans le jardin pour l'imiter !

Tu vas participer à quelles courses cette année?

Normalement je vais découvrir cette année les classiques ardennaises, après je ferai quelques courses par étapes puis les championnats de France. Je ne sais pas encore si je ferai un grand tour ou pas cette année cela dépendra de mon niveau. J'aimerais bien aussi faire le Tour de l'avenir avec l'équipe de France.

Quelles sont tes intérêts en dehors du cyclisme?

J'aime beaucoup les sciences je fais d'ailleurs mes études en école d'ingénieur à Polytech Chambéry.

J'aime aussi lire, et me promener en montagne.

Il y a des choses/rituels que tu fais avant chaque courses?

Non, je n'ai pas de rituel car je n'aime pas ça. Même pour l'échauffement avant un chrono par exemple je n'aime pas suivre un protocole strict je préfère faire au feeling selon mes sensations du jour.

Cet hiver, tu as aussi participé à des cyclocross. Tu as des ambitions dans cette discipline aussi ?

Cette année je n'ai volontairement fait que des cyclocross autour de chez moi afin de limiter la fatigue liée aux déplacements et ainsi bien préparer la saison sur route. J'ai toujours aimé faire du cyclo-cross cela me permet de progresser et de garder des compétitions pendant la période hivernale. L'année prochaine j'aimerais essayer de me qualifier pour les championnats du monde qui sont en France à Liévin sur un parcours que je connais bien. Mais après cela dépendra de mon niveau, si je ne suis pas avec les meilleurs U23 je pense que je me concentrerai plutôt sur la route.

Interview Leonie Bentveld (EN)

 Interview Leonie Bentveld

This season, she won the World Cup in the Under-23s and also finished fifth in the elite category. As a 19-year-old, Leonie Bentveld was this Winter's revelation. The Dutch rider finished in the top 10 almost every week and even occasionally on the podium. This year, the Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal rider also wants to set steps forward on the road and in gravel. In this interview, she talks about the steps that she has set forward in her still young career and how she experienced last Winter.

You won the World Cup for Under-23s this year. What impact did this big win have on you?

Surely the World Cup was one of my goals. I had decided to ride all but Val Di Sole and then see how I could do in the final classification. This surprisingly turned out very well and, besides winning the U23 World Cup, I finished 5th among the Elites, which is perhaps even more impactful that winning the U23 classification. The World Cup proved that I performed very consistently throughout the season.

You grew up on Friesland. Was it tough making frequent long commutes to most races?

The long journeys combined with school were quite tough for me. We had to travel at least 600 km every weekend. Besides that, there were also no good training opportunities close to home which meant I had to travel a lot. I am very happy that I made the choice to move to Belgium and focus on the sport full-time now.

Where would you like to be in 5 years?

A tricky question. If you told my 14-year-old self where I am now 5 years later, I wouldn't believe it. So I'll try to keep growing like this and then we'll see.

Do you also have ambitions in other disciplines?

I do want to race more and more in the Summer, both on the road and on the gravel bike.

You took a nice bronze at the World Championships in the U23 category. Do you want to take gold next year or would you rather ride in the elite?

I wouldn't like to make the switch to the Elites too quickly. There is still plenty to gain among the U23s and to get on the podium in the Elite category at a World Championships you have to be really good at that level.

How will you spend the Spring and Summer?

After the race in Oostmalle I will put the bike aside for three weeks. Then I will leave for Spain to rebuild. At the end of April I'll start with some gravel races and then go back to road cycling.

What has been the biggest challenge for you in the sport so far?

I can't name anything like that easily. I love doing everything so I don't encounter many things that I don't like. I think last Summer was tough after weeks of struggling with my knee after a crash. I couldn't finish the training sessions the way I would like to and that was mentally tough.

Which kind of tracks do you enjoy doing the most?

I like courses that are a bit more technical. I like doing courses like Flamanville, Maasmechelen, Hulst and Troyes.

Interview Leonie Bentveld (NL)

Interview Leonie Bentveld

Dit seizoen won ze de Wereldbeker bij de beloften en eindigde ze ook nog eens vijfde bij de elite. Leonie Bentveld was als 19-jarige, de revelatie van deze Winter. De renster uit Friesland eindigde bijna wekelijks in de top 10 en zelfs nu en dan op het podium. De renster van Pauwels Sauzen - Bingoal wil dit jaar ook stappen vooruit zetten op de weg en in het gravelen. In dit interview vertelt ze over de stappen die ze voorwaarts heeft gezet in haar nog jonge carrière en hoe ze afgelopen Winter heeft beleefd. 

Je won dit jaar de Wereldbeker voor beloften. Welke impact had deze grote overwinning op je?

De wereldbeker was toch wel één van mijn doelen. Ik had besloten om op Val Di Sole na alle manches te rijden en dan te zien wat dat zou doen voor het eindklassement. Dit pakte verrassend genoeg heel goed uit en naast dat ik de Wereldbeker voor belofte won werd ik 5e tussen de Elites, wat misschien nog wel een grotere impact heeft dat een klassement bij de beloften winnen. De Wereldbeker bewijst dat ik het hele seizoen heel constant heb gepresteerd.

Je groeide op Friesland. Was het zwaar om vaak lange verplaatsingen te maken naar de meeste wedstrijden?

De verre verplaatsingen in combinatie met school viel mij best zwaar. We moesten elk weekend minstens 600km afleggen. Daarnaast waren en ook geen goede trainingsmogelijkheden vlakbij huis waardoor ik veel onderweg was. Ik ben heel blij dat ik de keuze heb gemaakt om naar België te verhuizen en mij nu fulltime op de sport te richten.

Waar zou je graag willen staan in 5 jaar?

Een lastige vraag. Als je mijn 14 jarige ik zou vertellen waar ik nu 5 jaar later sta zou ik het niet geloven. Dus ik probeer zo door te groeien en dan zullen we het zien.

Heb je ook ambities in andere disciplines?

Ik wil wel steeds meer in de zomer gaan koersen, zowels op de weg als op de gravelfiets.

Je pakte mooi brons op het WK bij de beloften. Wil je volgend jaar goud pakken of wil je liever bij de elite rijden?

Ik zou niet zo snel vervroegd de overstap naar de Elites maken, er valt bij de beloften nog genoeg te behalen en om bij de Elite op het podium te rijden op een WK moet je van hele goede huize komen.

Hoe ga je de lente en zomer spenderen?

Na de cross in Oostmalle zet ik de fiets even voor 3 weken aan de kant. Daarna vertrek ik naar Spanje om daar weer terug op te bouwen. Eind april begin ik met wat gravelkoersen om daarna ook weer op de weg te gaan rijden.

Wat was tot nu toe de grootste uitdaging voor je in de sport?

Ik kan zo niet 1, 2, 3 iets opnoemen. Ik doe alles heel graag waardoor ik tegen weinig dingen aanloop die ik met tegenzin moet doen. Ik denk dat afgelopen zomer wel pittig is geweest nadat ik weken met mijn knie liep te sukkelen na een valpartij. Ik kon niet de trainingen afwerken zoals ik die graag zou doen en dat was mentaal wel lastig.

Welke parcoursen vind je het leukst om te doen?

Ik hou van parcoursen die wat technischer zijn. Parcoursen zoals Flamanville, Maasmechelen, Hulst en Troyes doe ik wel graag.

 Interview Carolina Vargas

Colombia is already doing very well in men's cycling for decades, but now also the girls are coming. Carolina Vargas is one of the young talented Colombian woman who wants to make the step to the world level. She's already one of the most promising talents on her continent and she already took part in her first European grand tour. The 21 years old rider dreams of winning a grand tour in the future, but you can already get to know her today through this conversation.

You are currently one of the most talented cyclists in Colombia. How does it feel to live in a country that is so passionate about cycling?

I think it is very nice to see that Colombian men's and women's cycling is growing a lot, that it is more and more supported and that we have great representatives at international level; that there is a lot of support for this sport in Colombia, which is very important for us cyclists and motivates us to keep working and improving every day.

Colombian men have already won grand tours, would you like to become the first Colombian woman to do so?

Yes, the truth is that I would like to win one of the grand tours, it is my dream, last year I had the opportunity to race La Vuelta with the ENEICAT CM team, and to be among the best in the grand tours is one of my goals.

What are your ambitions in this sport?

In addition to being in the three grand tours, I also dream of becoming worldchampion and Olympic champion.

How did you get started in cycling?

My father was also a professional cyclist and from a very young age, I used to accompany him to some races. I loved watching him compete and win. When I was 11 years old I started skating and I complemented it with cycling, I started to realise that I enjoyed it a lot more and when I was 15 years old I dedicated myself completely to it.

Where can we cheer you on this year?

This year we have several important races with our team here in Spain such as La Vuelta, Itzulia, and Burgos, we will be representing not only our team but also my municipality, my department of Antioquia and also the country.

You have participated mainly in stage races, would you also like to participate in big classics?

I would also like to be part of big classics. Hopefully this year our team will have the opportunity to have that nice experience.

Do you think there is a difference between European and South American cycling culture?

I think yes, there are some differences between European and South American cycling culture. I think that because of the advances and technology in Europe, European cycling culture is a bit more controling, more measured, a bit more predictable. When it comes to racing, you can take into account the winds before a race, the weather, everything is much more precise. So I think that influences the differences between these two types of cycling quite a lot.

What is your biggest passion outside of cycling?

Outside cycling I am a psychology student, it is a profession that I really like, and that I want to practice when I finish my sporting career helping athletes to have a good mental health.

 Entrevista Carolina Vargas

A Colombia ya le va muy bien en el ciclismo masculino desde hace décadas, pero ahora también llegan las chicas. Carolina Vargas es una de las jóvenes promesas colombianas que quiere dar el paso a nivel mundial. Ya es uno de los talentos más prometedores de su continente y ya ha participado en su primera gran vuelta europea. La corredora de 21 años sueña con ganar una gran vuelta en el futuro, pero hoy ya puedes conocerla a través de esta conversación.

Usted es actualmente uno de los ciclistas más talentosos de Colombia. ¿Qué se siente vivir en un país tan apasionado por el ciclismo?

Yo creo que es muy bonito ver que el ciclismo colombiano femenino y masculino esta creciendo mucho, que cada vez es más apoyado y tenemos grandes representantes a nivel internacional; que en Colombia hay mucha aficion por este deporte, que es algo muy importante para nosotros los ciclistas y nos motiva a seguir trabajando y mejorando cada día.

Los hombres colombianos ya han ganado grandes vueltas. ¿Te gustaría convertirte en la primera mujer colombiana en hacerlo?

Sí, la verdad es que si me gustaría ganar una de las grandes vueltas, es mi sueño, el año pasado tuve la oportunidad de correr la vuelta a España con equipo en el ENEICAT CM, y estar entre las mejores de las grandes vueltas es uno de mis objetivos

¿Cuáles son sus ambiciones en este deporte?

Ademas de estar en las tres grandes vueltas, tambien sueño con ser campeona del mundo y campeona olimpica.

¿Cómo te iniciaste en el ciclismo?

Mi padre tambien fue ciclista profesional y desde muy pequeña lo acompañaba a algunas carreras. Me gustaba mucho verlo competir y ganar. Cuando tenia 11 años empece a practicar patinaje y lo complementaba con ciclismo, me empece a dar cuenta que los disfrutaba muchisimo mas y a los 15 años me dedique por completo a el.

¿Dónde podemos animarte este año?

Este año tenemos varios retos importantes con nuestro equipo acá en España como lo son la vuelta a España e Itzulia, Burgos, estaremos representando no solo a nuestro equipo sino también a mi municipio, a mi departamento antioquia y también al país.

Has participado sobre todo en carreras por etapas. ¿Te gustaría participar también en grandes clásicas?

También me gustaría ser parte de grandes clásicas reconocidas. Esperemos que este año de pronto nuestro equipo pueda tener la oportunidad de contar con esa bonita experiencia.

¿Cree que hay alguna diferencia entre la cultura ciclista europea y la sudamericana?

Creo que sí, hay algunas diferencias entre la cultura ciclística europea y la sudamericana. Yo creo que por los avances y por la tecnología que hay en Europa, eso permite que la cultura ciclística europea sea un poco más controlable, más medida, es un poco más predecible. A la hora de correr se pueden tener en cuenta los temas de los vientos, antes de una competencia, el clima, todo es mucho más exacto. Entonces creo que se influye bastante en las diferencias que hay entre estos dos tipos de ciclísmo

¿Cuál es tu mayor pasión fuera del ciclismo?

Fuera del ciclismo soy estudiante de psicologia es una profesion que me gusta mucho, y que quiero ejercer cuando termine mi carrera deportiva ayudando a los deportistas a que tengas una buena salud mental.

 Interview Karolina Perekitko

She started with bike rides in the forests around Gdansk. Now, she left her Polish harbour to conquer the podium spots abroad. Karolina Perekitko was 4th at the Juniors Worlds in 2016 and has been working on her carreer against the big riders in the years after. This season, she grabbed her first podium in an UCI race. The start of a promising year where she tries to set another step forward. Get to know the 25 years old rider who wants to make her international breakthrough this season. 

You grew up around the flat area of Gdansk. How did you became such a good climber?

I started my cycling with xc and mtb maratons so I was always doing a lot climbs in the forest. I really liked that. Honestly in Gdańsk in forest is a lot of climbs which help to me a lot. My first race which I won was polish National championships where parcour was in the mountains and from that day I realized that I like climbs and I would like to focus on that in future.

This year, you had a very good start against very good riders, did you change something this Winter?

Yes, this winter first time I did a camp in december in Calpe, which I never did before , because I was always working in winter in factory so I had really busy schedule and didn't have a lot of time to recovery. I focused a lot on my diet to eat really well around training and during training because in the passed I had a problem with that. I focused on specific work on climbs with my new coach and finally all went together and give me this effect.

In 2016, you finished 4th at the Worlds. How did you experience the years after that big result?

After this result I had really tought time, because I put on myself a lot of pressure and I can't hold it. So I struggle a lot of mentally and I was never happy and never enjoy bike and Training.

How do you combine studying and cycling on a high level?

In my school they give to us really good opportunity to have online studying and if I miss some classes it is never problem for them.

What are your goals in the sport?

My goal is to be become better person and better rider and learn from mistake as much as I can :)

What is your most beautiful memory in cycling so far?

My third place in Classica the Almeria is my most beautiful memory in Cycling. From few years I had a dream to get UCI podium and finally achive it. During last climb I felt something like I had in junior that I fly on the bike. After the race I was crying and get a hug with my teammates I will never forget this day.

You have been in the pro peloton since 2017, what changed in the sport since then?

I feel that now is more teams with stronger riders. Before was just few riders which could win the race, now the list is really long.

Did the gap between the different teams grow in your opinion?

I think that now is more teams with good environment. I can give example of my team. We are continental team but we have really good organisation good hotels good bikes and I don't feel worse to the World Tour girls.

 The Mud Academy

Every year, you see new young American talent popping-up in cyclocross. This is not a coincidence, but a result of hard work by many people on the American cyclocross scene. The EuroCrossAcademy (ECA) is one of the most beautiful projects in the sport right now. Thanks to this iniative, every year, a delegation of American teenagers can explore cyclocross in Europe on the highest level. It's time to discover more about this project and talk to the people who make it possible.

The ECA is an independent program led by Geoff Proctor, that works closely together with USA Cycling. This project involves also key staff and even, older athletes who also take up a role as mentor during the European Winter campaign. The trip to Europe has a lot of challenges in terms of logisitics, financials, networking,... so it involves a lot of cooperation by many different actors on the US scene to make it happen. Almost every rider in the 27-athlete American delegation for the upcoming Worlds in Tabor has been part of the ECA in the past, proving it's long term impact.

Once arrived in Europe, the young Yankees have to adjust to their new area. The new courses involve often more mud, sand or even snow then what they are used to at their domestic races. They have to learn quickly while they are competing against the best riders in the World.

Logistically, the project also has some challenges for the riders & staff. The academy offers race blocks in October/November, December and January. Last November, riders, staff and all of their equipment had travel from France to Ireland within a week. This required riders & staff to fly by plane, while four vans and a car had to cross the Sea by ferry. This difficult operation could only have been made possible by careful planning that could make go everything smoothly in the end. The effort was rewarded by strong results for Vida Lopez de San Roman & David Thompson who were able to gain the necessary points to secure front-row call ups for the Worlds.

The ECA does not only focus on junior riders. They also already give opportunities to younger teenagers by organising Summer camps. Last Summer, they conducted 3 seperate Summer camps for approximately 80 athletes between 14 and 18 years old.

Despite a lack of government funding, the cyclocross in North America can go on due to close cooperation between close cooperation between Teams, sponsors, race organizers, clubs, the industry, and families. An Olympic status would give even more possibilities argues Geoff Proctor. He's a proponent for cyclocross as an Olympic sport. It would not only bring more prestige but also government funding to the sport, what would be a big step forward for the sport. He argues that there are 26 nations taking part in Tabor and that an Olympic status could be start of a new phase of global development.

The ultimate goal is to prepare young, aspiring student-athletes for top European cyclocross racingand to help them grow, develop, and become purpose-driven members of the world community. Results alone are not the only thing that matters for the ECA. They encourage to also focus on aspiration, not only on expectation, for this Worlds and far beyond that.

 Interview Valeria Valgonen

At the age of 20, she already won her first national tour. After debuting in her first grand tour, she continued in other World Tour stage races before finishing her season with the overall win in the Tour of Portugal. The young Russian rider would like to perform back on track & road in her new colours this season. The youngster from Saint-Petersburg is ambitious to show herself on the biggest championships in the coming years. Get to know her already better today.

Last year you won the Tour of Portugal and you did well in other hilly races as well. Is this your favourite terrain or you want to focus on other races too?

Tour of Portugal was the last race of the season with the Massi team, 5 stages were with different gradient. I like the flat races best, but I also like the short mountains

It was your first full season abroad. How did it feel for you?

Yes, it was my first season with a continental team, but it didn’t start from January 1, but from April 21.

How does your program look like?

In my country I mainly ride track, in Spain I completely switch to road racing

What or who inspired you to become a cyclist?

I never had a goal or a person who inspired me. I just really like the sport

What are your goals for this year?

My goal for this year is to meet a new team and continue my road season.

What are your long time goals?

To train, to race, to go to the European Championships.

Which suggestion do you have for organizations in the sport?

I really like how women’s cycling is growing, so I can’t think of anything new

How do you deal with success and dissapointments?

In my country I learned to deal with victories very quickly, on the podium you are a winner, as soon as you come down from it, life goes on, and about failures, my team and family help me

 Interview Daria Fomina

Without much intertnational experience before, Daria Fomina was immediatly competitive in her first season abroad. She immediatly sprinted for podium spots in her first races in Spain and finished her first grand tour comfortably soon after. Before the 21 years old rider mostly raced in her native Russia, but in 2023, she proved that she has a place on the international level as well. We get to know a rider who set her first steps on the world stage of cycling and is ambitious to become a regular competitor in the most prestigious races on the calendar in the future again.

Last year, you gained your first experience in a team abroad. How did it feel to be in this new environment for the first time?

In 2023, I gained a lot of experience both in racing and in life. It was very interesting to join the team, different people, languages, goals and tasks. I have learned how to work harmoniously in a team. I got a lot of positive emotions after racing in Europe.

You set some promising results in local Spanish races, does it give you extra motivation for the future?

When I realized that I could compete, I became more motivated to work even harder, strive for higher goals and test myself for opportunities. After winning the Vuelta a Lea Artibay multi-day race. I began to believe in my own strength more. And I realized that I could also participate in the game.I want to experience these emotions again.

La Vuelta was your first World Tour race in your carreer and you finished it without difficulties. How was it to race against the best in the World?

It was a great experience for me. To see it all with your own eyes. It’s an indescribable feeling when you watch it on TV, and then you take part in a World Tour race with real professionals and see what you need to strive for and how to work, that this is a completely different level.

How did you get into cycling?

I’ve always liked an active lifestyle. I’ve been riding a bike since I was a kid. At the age of 15, having learned on the Internet that you can connect your life with such a seemingly simple hobby. I’ve been thinking about it. I found a place where I could start training and decided to try it.

What did you learn from last season?

Last season I learned how to work in a team. Think and act like a professional

What are your ambitions for 2024?

In fact, it is still very difficult to talk about ambitions for the upcoming season. The main task is to move forward.

What are your interests outside cycling?

If we talk about interests at the moment, it’s spending time with family and friends and a little extreme skiing in winter.

Which person or book does inspire you in life?

I am inspired by several people, and I cannot single out any of them. I am very inspired to work by the emotions that can be experienced during races in Europe, and the whole atmosphere when the race is like a holiday.

Interview Riejanne Markus (EN)

 Interview Riejanne Markus

Getting a little better every year and joining the world's best. That is what many riders dream of and Riejanne Markus is one of those riders who is fulfilling her dream. The Visme-Lease a bike rider has become a strong time trialist & climber and wants to shine in France again this year. Both, the Tour de France and the Olympic time trial in Paris are marked in her calendar. At the age of 29, she is set for her strongest year in her carreer yet. In our interview, she talks about her own development and also how she wants to lead the team to success together.

You had a top season with many close results in various races. How do you look back on it yourself?

Yes I am super proud when I look back on last season. With the Amstel, Liège and the Vuelta, I noticed that I had really taken another step forward and then when I became Dutch time trial champion a dream came true for me.

In recent years, you have worked hard on your time trial. Which steps have you taken in this discipline to reach this high level?

Actually, I improved a small step every year. In the physical aspect, I got a bit stronger every year, but I also made a step every year in terms of aerodynamics. That's how I got closer to the top, step by step.

Your sisters Femke and Roos are also cyclists. Do you learn a lot from each other?

Yes definitely, it's very special to all practice the same sport. Although Roos mainly focuses on speed skating. Femke and I are actually opposites, so we can learn from each other in different areas. And of course we try to train together and motivate each other to get better.

What are your ambitons for 2024?

I would really like to take another step up in the time trial. My biggest dream would be to start in this discipline at the Olympics. I would also like to do well again in a number of stage races, the Tour de France Femmes being the biggest of them all of course.

It will now be your fourth season in the team. Do you also like to take a leadership role?

Yes definitely, I am often road captain within the team and I don't mind taking the lead on training camps either. It's a role that suits me well and one that I enjoy. Especially with the many young girls on the team, I try to share knowledge or be a trust person.

Last year you made your last film for 'Tour de RieRie', will there be a sequel next season?

I really enjoy doing it, but editing currently takes too much time. I do try to share as much as possible of my daily life via Instagram, but I can't promise there will be a video online this year.

It will be your 11th season in the peloton. What is your most beautiful memory so far?

There are so many great memories, that's a difficult question. But I do look back very proudly at my national time trial title, last year. That was a victory that I dreamt of as a little girl. And I also found the first Tour de France Femmes in 2022 very special to experience. First with Marianne's victories and in the end, with the surprising results the last 2 days for myself in the mountain stages.

What would you have liked to have done if you hadn't become a cyclist?

I get a lot of satisfaction from coaching and guiding athletes. So with my education as a sports and move & trainer coach, I'm sure I would have found a job somewhere in that direction.