Veteran Belgian 'crosser first to race full US schedule
Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Stoemper) at the start (Image credit: Dave McElwaine/ www.trailwatch.net)
Ben Berden (Ops Ale-Stoemper) has been a consistent performer on the US cyclo-cross circuit this season, the first time a Belgian has contested a full schedule in the States.
Berden notched his best result to date in the Exergy US Gran Prix of Cyclocross series on Sunday, the second day of racing at Louisville, Kentucky's Derby City Cup held at Eva Bandman Park, the site of the 2013 cyclo-cross world championship. Berden outsprinted Chris Jones (Rapha-Focus) for fourth place, consolation for flatting out of Saturday's UCI C1-ranked race when he was in the lead group with eventual race winner Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) and runner-up Ryan Trebon (LTS-Felt).
Additionally, on both days Berden rocketed off the start line in Louisville to claim the hole shot prime.
Berden has claimed one victory this season at the C1-rated Victory Circle Graphix Boulder Cup, two weeks prior to his Louisville weekend, and he has finished on the podium four additional times.
Cyclingnews spoke with Berden on Sunday in Louisville, prior to his fourth place performance. Berden discusses the difference between US and European 'cross courses, he makes an assessment of the Eva Bandman Park venue as a cyclo-cross world championship course in 2013, details his remaining race schedule and talks about whether he'll return to the US for another 'cross campaign next year.
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Based in the southeastern United States, Peter produces race coverage for all disciplines, edits news and writes features. The New Jersey native has 30 years of road racing and cyclo-cross experience, starting in the early 1980s as a Junior in the days of toe clips and leather hairnets. Over the years he's had the good fortune to race throughout the United States and has competed in national championships for both road and 'cross in the Junior and Masters categories. The passion for cycling started young, as before he switched to the road Peter's mission in life was catching big air on his BMX bike.
