2011 – 2012 RACE PROGRAM and DATES

10 possible races, 16 days, 15-18 riders, 30-36 bikes, 1 director, 1 assistant director, 6 mechanics, 2 soigneurs, 2 chefs, 3 vans, 3 cars. Cyclocross racing at its ‘euro grittiest best!

Here’s a tentative look at what’s in store for 2011-2012:

Riders should depart from the U.S. on Thursday 15 December in time to do the local race in Lichtervelde on Saturday right out of the gate.  The Camp then starts with the World Cup in Namur (we’ll race the U23 and Jr race even though they’re not officially world cups). We may also attend a national race in Maldegem to shake out the legs for those who aren’t selected to the World Cup or want a smaller race to start. Then, for the first time in several years, we’ll make the long transfer to the north to the Dutch town of Surhuisterveen for a Tuesday race. After this mid-week opener, the real meat of the ”kersteperiode” schedule begins. Friday, 23 December is the extra-special ambiance of urban Brussels for the Diegem SuperPrestige. Then, a small race is possible in Balegem on Christmas Day followed by Monday, 26 December the World Cup in Zolder on the F1 race track. Zolder was the site of 2002 Worlds, probably the largest spectator crowd ever to attend a cyclocross race (approx 60,000). Again, for 2011, Zolder is not a world cup for Jr/U23, but we’ll race the Jr/U23 races just the same. There is also the option to race the small, but cool race in Beernem on the same day. Then, Wednesday, 28 December, sees arguably the most popular cyclocross race in the world, Loenhout. As part of the GVA series, the Loenhout organizers take a fairly mundane circuit and spice it up by paying big money to all the top names, men and women, Belgian and foreign. There’s also the opportunity on the next day, 29 December, to race the nearby Sylvester Cross in Bredene race. This is a really fun, fast, flat circuit and a nice change from some of the bigger races. The Camp reaches its crescendo with the option to attend the Fidea Cup race in Tervuren on Friday, 30 December and then finish off  with the New Year’s Day race in the hometown of Sven Nys and Niels Albert, Baal. Riders will have the option to depart on either Saturday, 31 December or Monday, 2 January, to get back to the U.S. for school/work and/or fly directly to US Nationals.

The planning of the Camp’s race program involves many considerations: junior riders are only allowed to race twice a week in Belgium, elite riders often already have contracts for certain races, staff availability around New Year’s Day is an issue, and some organizers are willing to pay more start money for the mostly US National Team to be at their race. Careful planning and attention are given to which races fit the rider’s fitness, strengths and morale.