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.

Interview Riejanne Markus (NL)

 Interview Riejanne Markus

Elk jaar een beetje beter worden en bij de wereldtop aansluiten. Dat is waar veel rensters van dromen en Riejanne Markus is één van die rensters die haar droom aan het waarmaken is. De renster van Visma-Lease a bike is een sterke tijdrijdster en klimster geworden en wil ook dit jaar weer schitteren in Frankrijk. Zowel de Ronde van Frankrijk als de Olympische tijdrit in Parijs staan in haar agenda aangeduid. Op haar 29ste is ze klaar voor haar sterkste jaar tot nu toe. In ons gesprek vertelt ze over haar eigen ontwikkeling en ook over hoe ze de ploeg samen naar sucessen wil leiden.

Je had een topseizoen met veel ereplaatsen in diverse wedstrijden. Hoe kijk je er zelf op terug?

Ja ik ben super trots als ik terugkijk op afgelopen seizoen. Met de Amstel, Luik en de Vuelta merkte ik dat ik echt weer een stap had gezet en toen ik daarna Nederlands kampioen tijdrijden werd kwam er een droom voor mij uit.

De voorbije jaren heb je hard gewerkt aan je tijdrijden. Welke stappen heb je in dit onderdeel gezet om dit hoge niveau te halen?

⁠Eigenlijk ben ik elk jaar een stapje verbeterd. In het fysieke opzicht werd ik elk jaar een beetje sterker, maar ook hebben we elk jaar een stap gemaakt op het gebied van aerodynamica. Zo ben ik stap voor stap dichter bij de top gekomen.

Jouw zussen Femke en Roos zijn ook wielrensters. Leren jullie veel van elkaar?

Ja zeker, het is heel bijzonder om allemaal dezelfde sport te beoefenen. Al focust Roos zich vooral op het schaatsen. Femke en ik zijn eigenlijk tegenpolen, dus kunnen we op verschillende gebieden van elkaar leren. En natuurlijk proberen we samen te trainen en elkaar te motiveren om beter te worden.

Wat zijn je ambities voor 2024?

⁠Ik zou heel graag nog weer een stap zetten op de tijdrit. Mijn grootste droom zou zijn om te kunnen starten op dit onderdeel op de Olympische spelen. Daarnaast wil ik het graag weer goed doen in een aantal meerdaagses, waarvan de Tour de France Femmes natuurlijk de allergrootste is.

Het wordt nu je vierde seizoen in de ploeg. Neem je ook voor en na de wedstrijd graag een leidende rol op?

Ja zeker, ik ben vaak binnen de ploeg koerskapitein en ook op trainingskampen vind ik het niet vervelend om de leiding te nemen. Het is een rol die goed bij mij last en waar ik veel plezier uit haal. Zeker met veel jongen meiden binnen de ploeg probeer ik kennis te delen of een aanspreek punt te zijn.

Vorig jaar maakte je je laatste filmpje voor 'Tour de RieRie', komt er nog een vervolg aan komend seizoen?

Ik vind het ontzettend leuk om te doen, alleen kost het editen mij op dit moment te veel tijd. Ik probeer wel via instagram zo veel mogelijk mee te geven van mijn dagelijkse leven, maar ik kan niet beloven dat er dit jaar een video online komt.

Het wordt je elfde seizoen in het peloton. Wat is je mooiste herinnering tot nu toe?

Er zijn zoveel mooie herinneringen, dat is een moeilijke vraag. Maar ik kijk toch wel heel trots terug op mijn NK titel op de tijdrit afgelopen jaar. Dat was een overwinning waar ik als klein meisje al van droomde. En ik vond de eerste Tour de France Femmes in 2022 ook heel bijzonder om mee te maken. Eerst met de overwinningen van Marianne en tot slot met de verassende uitslagen de laatste 2 dagen voor mezelf in de bergetappes.

Wat had je graag gedaan als je geen wielrenster was geworden?

⁠Ik haal heel veel voldoening uit het coachen en begeleiden van sporters. Dus met mijn opleiding tot sport en bewegingsleider en trainer coach zou ik vast ergens in die richting een baan gevonden.

 Interview Vida Lopez De San Roman

An American that floorishes on European soil. Since Vida Lopez De San Roman crossed the Ocean, her form kept on rising. Her victory at the World Cup in Hulst established her as a world class rider. The junior rider is one of the most technical skilled riders of her generation. The young Californian will appear in three disciplines this year, as she will combine cyclocross with road and mountainbiking as well. The Worldchampionships are the biggest goal for this Winter. A few weeks ahead of this race, we catch up with her. She tells you about her experiences on her journey and about her ambitions for her race of the season. 

How did you get into cyclocross?

I first picked up mountain biking when I was 11. I got into MTB because my aunt and older brother both also did MTB races. My aunt even went to the Olympics, which inspired me to start racing. I raced my first race when I was 12 years old. It was just a local race, but it was so much fun. Through that I got in touch with the local cyclocross club. They were entusiatic to introduce me to the sport. Since my brother also race cross, I felt I should follow in his footsteps.

When I became a newcomer (15-16) I joined the Bear National Team. The Bear National Team is the biggest MTB & Cross development team in the US. The team has developed a lot of current professional riders such as Rily Amos, Kate Courtney & Lance Haidet. Julia Violich – the team director – has helped me and others so much in our development. In the past 10 years her impact on the level of CX and MTB in the US has been enormous. Without her I wouldn’t be where I am now.

This Winter, you're having your second campaign in Europe, what do you expect of it?

I’m currently representing the US national team in Europe. This season we are racing all 6 youth world cups, and a number of high lever races over the Christmas period. The season ends with the world championships, which is my biggest goal. I aspire to be on the podium, but I try to keep my expectations lower. Last year I expected to end in the top 10 of my first world championships, so I was pretty disappointed when I came just short of my goal.

The start order at the world championships is determined by the world cup standings. The first 8 get to start on the front row. I am currently in the top 8 and I want to maintain my spot in the ranking in the remaining 2 world cups. I started the world cup season very well in November. In Troyes and Dublin I got my best world cup results ever with a 4^th and a 5^th place. I went to the US and became national champion before returning to Europe for the next 2 world cups. Those races were a mixed bag. After a hard race in Namur I feel like I am getting back on track. I am looking forward to the next world cups and races.

What are your favorite kind of tracks?

I like really punchy and technical courses. The favorite race I have done is Hulst. I liked the punchy hills, big drops & numerous off camber which required focus and technical skills. The course was challenging, but still had a nice flow. A few other courses I like are Namur & Herentals. Overall I like European courses more because the are diverse and have more technical aspects to them than typical US races. European races also suit me better, since they are more technical.

You're currently one of the best riders in your category. How does it feel for you to be amongst the Worlds' best?

It feels really special to be in the mix with the best junior women in the world. It means a lot to me because I work really hard for it. It has been a goal and dream of mine since I started cycling to reach this level.

What are your strengths and what would you still like to improve?

My biggest strength in cyclocross is my drive. When I race, I want to do as well as possible. I want to improve my tactical skills both for cyclocross and MTB, especially since racing in Europe requires a lot more of that than US racing. I hope racing on the road this summer – which will be my first official road season – will help me with that.

What are your goals in the sport on the long term?

My dream is becoming a professional cyclist and represent my country at the Olympics someday. I want to reach my full potential in cycling by becoming the best athlete and version of myself whilst loving what I do. I want to inspire young girls to chase their dreams by showing them its possible for an American women to compete at the highest level in Europe. Being from a small town in California without a big cycling scene, there was no easy pathway to where I am now in my racing career as a junior. I hope it shows everyone that you can chase your dreams no matter where you are from.

What are your biggest interests outside the sport?

Besides cycling I like to hang out with my friends. We usually drive around and listen to music. I also love running and going on hikes.

How do you deal with the long travels?

I try to sleep (on the plane) as much as possible, and adjust to the timezone as quickly as possible. Arriving a few days before the race is useful. I am super lucky to have family living in Spain, which allows me to stay and train there between the Christmas block and the Benidorm World Cup.

Pictures : Thepenultimatestage. (Ethan Glading) 

 Interview David Thompson

Seven wins out of seven races. That's the record that David Thompson set, before he came over to Europe for racing. The young American continued his series of close results on the old continent and secured top 10 and even podium spots amongst the international top riders as well.  The second years' juniors aims to use his experience of last years' campaign to do even better this season. The 17 years old rider dreams of a long career in the sport and starts to taste a bit of road cycling as well. An introduction to one of the most promising yankees in the field.

David Thompson (left) 

You're racing both on the road and in cyclocross on the international level now. How do you feel about this combination?

For me, this combination has always worked well. I have been racing cyclocross for many years and only recently started racing on the road. There have been many cases of cyclocross riders thriving on the road, and I hope to continue my development in both cyclocross and road.

You finished runner-up at the World Cup in Troyes. What did this result mean to you?

To me, this result means proving myself on an international level. Coming from America, you never know how you’re going to stack up against the best in the world. My result in Troyes gave me the confidence to keep working hard.

This Winter, you're having your second campaign in Europe, what do you expect of it?

As a junior, you only have two years to develop and show yourself. During my first campaign last winter, I learned a lot about European racing, and this winter, I hope to use it to my advantage to continue developing and improving.

What are your goals in the sport on the long term?

In the long term, I hope to be able to make a career in this sport. My main goal is to continue to develop and to become the best rider that I can be.

How did you get into cyclocross?

I started racing cyclocross through my dad. He always used to take me to the races when I was little. Even though I was too young to race, I still rode the courses all day.

Do you like to work on your bikes yourself, to try new things?

Yes, definitely. I like to work on my bikes, although sometimes it can be hard when I’m trying to find time to recover. In the past, I have built many of my own bikes and hope to continue learning about how it all works.

Do you like to listen music during your warm-ups? (and if yes, which music?)

I don’t usually listen to music when I’m on the trainer. I will listen to music during the Recon and before I start my warm-up. During that time, I would usually listen to country music or some hardstyle.

What are your favourite weather conditions for racing?

As for me, I don’t mind the rainy weather, especially for cyclocross. A muddy race is a lot of fun. I especially like the course when its slippery but not covered with thick mud.

Pictures : Thepenultimatestage. (Ethan Glading)