News and Results

ECXC Diaries – The Latest Installments

Here are the latest and greatest installments to the ECXC Diaries on CyclingNews.com.  Chris Wallace, Will Dugan, Morgan Ryan, Gavin Mannion and Bjorn Selander share their thoughts on ECXC VI.

Bjorn racing in Belgium early this year.

Bjorn racing during ECXC IV. Photo Courtesy Cycling-Pics.be

East Coast rider Gavin Mannion, Hot Tubes Development Team, comes to Belgium from Dedham, Massachusets.  This is Gavin’s second trip to Belgium with Director Geoff Proctor and ECXC.  Gavin also represented the USA in last year’s World’s race in Treviso.

Gavin explains how his race went after a poor starting position due to an “error” on the part of race officials.  Apparently, they forgot to call up the USA riders.   “After a technical start, I was around 25th position. I fought my way through the field until I was in a group that I could not get rid of. At the end of the day I finished in 12th, not bad for a fourth row start.”

Gavin Mannion, Hot Tubes, fights through the legendary sand at Hofstade.

Gavin fighting through the sand at last year’s World Cup race in Hofstade.  Photo Courtesy of Cycling-pics.be

Bjorn Selander, riding for the Ridley Factory Team, comes from Hudson, Wisconsin.  Bjorn has raced during several Euro campaigns including a couple trips to CX Worlds.  Euro Cross Camp VI is his third camp campaign.

Here’s a snipet of Bjorn’s diary:”…I got a massage from the retired police officer Herman. This guy is awesome, he is a legend in Belgium for his police work, and everyone knows and loves him because he never gave tickets. He also told me that I would be on the top step of the podium in Diegem. Keep in mind that he doesn’t speak barely any English so it was just him doing all the motions of a winner.”

Bjorn racing during ECXC IV. Bjorn racing during ECXC IV in 2006 – 2007. Photo Courtesy of

Joe Sales.

Chris Wallace, riding for KCCX Verge, comes to Belgium from his home in Shawnee, Kansas.  This is Chris’ first Euro Cross Camp.  Things seem to be going well for Chris in Belgium:  ”…Everybody was quite excited to receive their overly tight USA long sleeve skinsuits last night and all of us hope to represent our country well. This week has been just one big long preparation for the race and the week ahead.“

Chris charging hard at the first race in Uitbergen. Photo Courtesy of Cycling-Pic.be

Chris Wallace charging hard at the first race on the ECXC calender in Uitbergen.  Photo Courtesy of Cycling-Pics.be