By Steve Medcroft
The sixteen Americans that made up Geoff Proctor's Euro 'Cross Camp parted ways last week after as many as six races in ten days each. The U.S. National Cyclo-cross team coach's goal of the excursion was to give American 'crossers valuable European experience before they take on a full contingent of the best in international competition at Worlds in Zeddam, the Netharlands at the end of January. The Helena, Montana high-school teacher said he felt the third annual version of the camp was helpful and the racer's progress in the sport measurable. "Americans are getting better at 'cross," Proctor said by phone and email. "Tactically, we were better this year; we learned how to take care of the little things - like tire pressures and bike changes, and how to ride certain courses the most efficient way."
Proctor says the lessons Americans are learning in Europe were reflected in their results. "Our juniors were making a statement every race; we had nine top-ten finishes with Bjorn Selander and Danny Summerhill leading the way. Bjorn and Danny finished 4th and 5th respectively against a very good field in Baal on New Year's Day, for example. Our U23's, led by Troy Wells and Jesse Anthony, had solid races too. Troy's 13th in the sand at the Hofstade World Cup and Jesse's 20th against a really good field in Loenhout were our best results."
As for the elite athletes, Proctor says "Ryan Trebon was in a huge group racing for 4th place in Loenhout. His 16th doesn't quite show how good of a ride he did. Barry Wicks and Jeremy Powers had good rides in St Niklaas, 17th and 21st respectively. Erik Tonkin was our best finisher in brutal Hooglede. And Jon Baker finished off his camp with an excellent 14th in Surheisterveen, Holland."
Proctor says the logistics of the ten-day camp went smoothly as well. "Mechanically, our support was outstanding. In staffing eight races over twelve days (no rider rode all 8 races), we had 98 racer starts. That's well over 100 pit changes with only two ot three miscues. The mechanics were super. It's very very hard work; prepping, racing and then cleaning and servicing 32 bikes (16 riders) every day in adverse conditions. Hats off to them."
The American group made enough of impression to garner attention from the local sports press. "Gazet Van Antwerpen came out and did an article on us," Proctor said. "It focused on the sacrifices foreign riders have to make to come to Belgium to race 'cross at Christmas time. The Czechs are there. The Swiss are there. And for the past 3 Christmases, we've been there. It's nice to be recognized."
All the lessons and attention mean one thing to the U.S. National Cyclo-cross program. "I'm looking forward to Zeddam," Proctor said. "On the day of Worlds, we can be in the races. And if we are, it will be the result of all the hard work put in by the riders, their programs, and the crucial support they get from the American racing scene."
Proctor heads back to Belgium January 20th to coordinate the efforts of the U.S. Nationals Cyclo-cross team.
