Inception
Summy bustin’ the mud in Portland. Photo Courtesy of Joe Sales
2008-2009 ‘cross is here. Multi-splendor! In the words of a legendary Eight-Man football coach from a tiny eastern Montana town, “Work hard. Have fun. Play the game.”Notables:
- Potential inception of a USAC Cyclocross Development Program with USAC MTB/CX Director Marc Gullickson
- Euro Cross Camp VI
- Selection Procedures for Worlds soon-to-be released
While part of this vision has been up and running for now six years (Euro Cross Camp), with USAC’s creation of a job title with the word “Cyclocross” next to the position and the timely hiring of Marc Gullickson, we now have the vehicle by which to carry the whole project truly “into the field” as it were. Meaning: the real beginnings of a more seamless cross-pollination between cycling disciplines, with track-road-mtb-cross-bmx all feeding into each other such that our riders can reach the highest level. Symbiosis rather than separation.Along the same lines, Euro Cross Camp VI continues to ramp. Most frequently, I’m receiving questions about selection for the camp. Via these communications, I’ve assembled a list of 35 interested riders. Unfortunately, I can only take 16, so here’s how it’s going to go down:I will name the selection of 16 riders by Nov 17. Selection decisions will be based on the following criteria:
- my intuition–how the rider is going; my general sense of the rider’s potential for development; where the rider is in his/her development;
- my perceptions–how the rider will fit the chemistry of the camp; how well the rider has planned his/her 2008 season for strong performance in December and January 2009 (discussed and instilled at the camp and worlds last season)
- results from October and November 2008
- potentiality for making Worlds team selection
- past camp experience
It’s not easy to pare down a “long team” of 35 to 16. I wish I could accomodate more. I’m hoping to take 6 juniors, 6 espoirs, 2 women and 2 elite men. Again, riders are encouraged to stay in touch with me via email as the season progresses. It was great to catch up in Vegas. Good to see the energy and get some early data from the players. I was most impressed with Frishi. He looks much more muscled now than he did when I was in Switzerland in the early 90’s. But still damn fast. And it was affirming for me when Lance said after the race, “those guys are in another league” referring to the guys up front. Legitimacy is ever-important for ‘cross. Also caught up with Svenny Nys the other day, just checking in with him. Fascinating to hear the subtleties to his Olympic mountain bike preparation this summer. As pro as they come.With the season starting, look for more frequent updates here on the Director’s Journal page. The engines are revving now. The US cyclocross scene is positively viral! Close to 800 cx events around the country. Crazy.But please keep the September Sirens at bike’s length and the big picture in mind: the brio of Hoogerheide Worlds in late January. Keep that frosty/muddy icon front-and-center on your mind’s eye desktop!And consider donating this year to help a euro camper make it happen! GP