Photo by Erik Mitchell
With nearly two-dozen Americans hitting the cross circuit this week in Europe, here’s our mini guide of who’s doing what races and when. Please note, we’re going by the start lists, which are subject to change. Also, there are smaller, non-UCI races that riders will race, especially the Juniors. With that said, here’s who’s racing where through Monday, December 26th.
Superprestige – Diegem (C1)
Six American riders will take to the starting grid under the lights in the men’s race. Jonathan Page has been racing the Superprestige series all year and will be joined by Mitch Hoke, Troy Wells, Ryan Knapp, Jake Wells and Jeremy Durrin.
In the U23 race, four American riders will look to gain valuable experience in what promises to be a World Cup type of race. Zach McDonald lead the charge with Yannick Eckmann, Dan Gerow and Kolben Preble.
The junior men’s race in Diegem will look like an American race with some Europeans mixed in as 14 riders from the USA look to hone their skills and test the mettle against Europe’s best 17 and 18 year-olds. Here’s the list of riders scheduled to start: Stephen Basset, Jordan Cullen, Andrew Dilman, Spencer Downing, John Francisco, Andrew Godby, Cypress Gorry, Luke Haley, Nate Morse, Sam O’Keefe, Tobin Ortenblad, Logan Owen, Lionel Rocheleau and Curtis White.
Last, but certainly not least, Maureen Bruno Roy will be the sole American in the women’s race in Diegem.
Internationales Radquer Dagmersellen (C2)
While they’re not American, three riders who spent the fall racing in the US as part of the Philadelphia Cyclocross School are scheduled to race on Monday in Switzerland. Eric Bruengger, Lukas Muller and Lukas Winterberg look to continue their season on native soil.
UCI World Cup Round 6 – Heusden-Zolder (CDM)
Jeremy Durrin will start his third World Cup race of the season on Monday along with European-based American Jonathan Page. Tim Johnson will join the crew in his fourth World Cup round of the season. Zach McDonald will be mixing up with the big boys as their is no U23 World Cup round in Zolder. Troy Wells, Ryan Knapp and Mitchell Hoke will also toe the start line.
Four American women will be racing in Zolder on Monday. Noticeably absent is Katie Compton, who is skipping this round of the World Cup. Amy Dombroski, Kaitlin Antonneau, Mo Bruno Roy and Christine Vardaros will represent the USA.
There are two side events on Monday in Zolder. These are UCI rated races for the U23 Men and Juniors since there’s no World Cup races for them. As a result, the US will be allowed to start as many riders as the organizers will allow. Start lists are unavailable, but look for similar numbers as to those in Diegem.