A taste of success
Curtis White wraps up Euro 'Cross Camp
Wow. It's hard to believe that Euro 'Cross Camp X is a wrap. Even though this has been my second consecutive Christmas in Belgium, it seems as though I've soaked up as much, if not more, experience and knowledge as the first time. This year's camp had different effects on everyone. For me, I had my first taste of a podium in Europe.
Things started of with a bang in our first race of the Kerstperiode after placing second at Namur, quite possibly the hardest course on the European circuit. 300 meter uphill start, 100 meter drop, 100 pitch, 100 meter drop, again and again. All mud. Because of the extreme conditions, things broke apart quickly. After 40 minutes of suffering on the sides of the citadel, I crossed the line in second. Immediately after crossing the finish, I was guided along a completely fenced off path that led to the podium and a warm tent. Things were good.
My next taste of success was the bpost Bank Trophee in Loenhout. Slow, grinding, thick mud. Pure volk racing. After 40 minutes of slogging through cow manure ridden fields and over the infamous whoops, I sprinted to the third step on the podium. A podium out of a field 70+ deep... I was ecstatic. Again, I was escorted to a warm tent to be washed off for the podium. I received kisses from the podium girls, flowers, and a basket of treats.
Everything about this year's camp was incredible. Many thanks goes out to Jim Anderson for his fine cooking, to Dave Hartman and the rest of the mechanics for making sure everyone's bikes were in tip-top shape, the soigneurs for the help the house and race, to Bob De Cnodder for allowing us to stay at his team house.
Most of all, a huge thank you to Geoff Proctor for giving juniors, such as myself, and many others the opportunity to compete with the world's finest cyclo-crossers.
Thanks for reading.
Curtis White
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Euro 'Cross Camp Director Geoff Proctor will lead the tenth annual cyclo-cross camp that will run through late December and early January. Nine juniors, six U23s and one elite rider will make the journey to Belgium to train and race over the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
What's new for this year is the location of the Euro 'Cross Camp, which will be in Vorselaar, Belgium. Racing for the campers will begin on December 23 at the Namur World Cup and run through the Baal Bpost Bank Trophee on January 1. A few of the Euro 'Cross Campers will stay a bit extra so that they can also compete in the Rome World Cup on January 6.
The camp has previously helped the careers of racers like current US National Champion Ryan Trebon, Jeremy Powers and Jamey Driscoll. Read these diaries for hints of who may emerge from this year's crop of three elite, eight U23 and eight junior racers as America's future 'cross stars? Coach Proctor and his riders will take turns contributing diary entries.
2012-2013 Euro 'Cross Camp X Roster
Elite Justin Lindine (Redline Bicycles), 28, New Salem, MA
Under 23s Manny Goguen (C.F. Racing P/B Trek Portsmouth), 21, Hopedale, MA Danny Gerow (Wolverine Racing Elite CX, 21, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Josh Johnson (Bissell-ABG-Nuvo), 20, Fort Wayne, IN Skyler Trujillo (Boo/Enve/Challenge), 20, Fort Collins, CO Andrew Dillman (Bob’s Red Mill Cyclocross), 18, Fairdale, KY Tobin Ortenblad (Cal Giant Berry Farms/Specialized), 18, Santa Cruz, CA
Juniors Logan Owen (Redline Bicycles), 17, Bremerton, WA Curtis White (Hot Tubes Development Team), 17, Duanesburg, NY Nate Morse (Hot Tubes Development Team), 17, Cohasset, MA Stephen Bassett (Bob’s Red Mill Cyclocross), 17, Knoxville, TN Nick Torraca (Mad Duck Cyclery), 17, Grapevine, TX John Francisco (Red Zone Cycling) 17, Louisville, KY Peter Goguen (C.F. Racing P/B Trek Portsmouth), 16, Hopedale, MA David Lombardo (Verdigris-Village Cyclocross), 16, Crystal Lake, IL Josey Weik (ISCorp), 16, Wrenshall, MN
