McDonald finds Euro feet

By Gregor Brown in Zolder, Belgium

Zach McDonald got off to a good start in Europe thanks to a sixth place in the Junior World Cup in Zolder, Belgium, on Friday. The US national champion found himself in a chasing group with two teammates of eventual winner Danny de Bie (Belgium).

"The goal was try to stay at the front as long as possible. ... It was little faster than I like, but still a technical course. I like it technical because I come from the mountain bike side of racing," McDonald said to Cyclingnews.

McDonald is in his second year of racing in Europe with Geoff Proctor's 'Euro 'Cross Camp', and the Zolder race was one of his best finishes overseas. He has had a strong season, taking the US Gran Prix of Cyclo-cross series as well as the national title in mid-December. He will continue to hone his form for the World Championships at the end of January, in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands.

"I am already on the Worlds team because I won the GP and nationals. This year is going a lot better than last year."

McDonald will race Diegem, Loenhout, Baal and Sint-Niklaas this coming week. After a short return home for school, he will return for the Roubaix World Cup and Worlds.