Riders must cover their airfare to/fro Brussels, Belgium. The end of December is high season, so begin to look at options early. Highly recommended: book flights directly to Brussels with no European connections. Avoid booking through European hubs eg. Heathrow, Amsterdam, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt. We have had too many problems with missed and delayed flights and delayed luggage through European connections. Again, book directly to Brussels from the U.S. Also, choose flights where you have ample time to make your connections. Don’t fly into Dulles or JFK and give yourself a half-hour connection. Not enough time for you and your baggage to make it!!
In addition, each day at EuroCrossCamp is $150. This fee covers most everything the rider will need: airport pick up/drop, all transportation to races etc., room/shower/linen, food, race food, mechanical support, and arranging start money. The only costs not covered above: airline freight fees for bikes to/fro; junior Belgian race licenses (about 20 Euro); various race entry fees (usually around 8 euro; 5 euro back when race number returned), any phone charges incurred while at the house, laundry fees, and spending money for the odd trip to the grocery store or to buy something from the Sven Nys clothing line. Recommendation: arrange with local home bank for approximately $200 in euros. Hit the ground in Belgium with Euros in your pocket.
Camp fees should be paid in full prior to departure (by U.S. bank check made payable to “GP Velo Mondial LLC”). Mail check directly to the Director.
All riders must have 2012 UCI License. As soon as you are selected, apply through USAC for your 2012 license. In December, you need to also apply for a 2013 UCI License.
All riders are encouraged to purchase Travel Med insurance through USAC. This is a service to all USAC members and is quite inexpensive:
To ensure that athletes participating outside of the United States have a minimum level of health insurance that covers both sickness and accidents, any USAC licensed athlete may purchase TravMed Abroad coverage from MEDEX Insurance Services that covers them for at least the time period they are traveling to and participating in overseas activities. If a EuroCrossCamp rider purchases coverage, please include coverage confirmation in Forms/paperwork package.
With the help of the United States Olympic Committee, USA Cycling has been able to get MEDEX to provide its TravMed Abroad coverage in 2012 for a discounted rate of only $3 a day while on a trip outside the United States. In order to purchase the coverage, please call MEDEX at 1-800-732-5309 and let them know you are a member of USA Cycling.
Riders should discuss with sponsors about how to handle whatever start money the rider receives. Riders should be up front and transparent with sponsors, clubs, and financial backers. Often a rider can curtail their expenses considerably via the start money they receive. Hence, an open dialogue with financial supporters is important. The Director will send a check to each rider after the Camp is completed (sometime in January).
EuroCrossCamp understands the financial burden to the riders and sponsors for both the Camp and the possibility of returning for Worlds a month later. It is crucial to analyze objectives and ways to finance the rider’s goals. Once source is the USA Cycling Development Foundation grants. Another option is to fundraise in the rider’s community and through the rider’s club and team. Also, one thing to keep in mind, the cost of attending EuroCrossCamp is still probably less than racing and traveling around the US for 6-10 top races.
A final word about money: the best system is to have a normal ATM card (with Cirrus compatibility—check the back of the card). Simply check with rider’s bank prior to departure to make sure rider’s ATM card is activated in the countries for Belgium. This is the easiest way to get cash in Belgium. Remember, many stores do not take credit cards like in the US. Traveler’s checks are to be avoided as they require trips to the bank during business hours.
