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Across the pond: Euro 'cross camp IV diary
Fresh from US Cyclocross Nationals, sixteen American riders were selected for the Euro 'Cross Camp IV from December 23, 2006, to January 3, 2007, in Belgium. US national 'cross coach Geoff Proctor started the program in 2003 and runs the camps during his winter vacation from his job teaching high school in Montana. This is the fourth year that top US riders will be given this opportunity to gain valuable 'cross racing experience in Europe and to prepare for the world championships in late January.
Riders were selected for this year's camp based on their performances in the 2006 USGP of cyclo-cross and US nationals. Coach Proctor and his riders will take turns contributing diary entries.
Belgium, December 28, 2006
Super support
By Barry Wicks
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This morning I got to sleep in until 10 am. That was a real treat. On race days, we have to get up in time to eat breakfast, pack, and be on the road by that hour. I probably could have slept longer, but had a massage appointment to make!
We have two main souigneurs here at camp, Chris the Fox, and Herman. Chris is our all around care taker, making us copies of DVD's he has downloaded off the internet, giving us shit when we do stupid stuff, and taking us to the hospital if we dislocate our fingers. Last year at camp, Ryan and I gave him his best New Year's present ever by crashing our brains out at the World Cup in Hooglede-Gits, requiring an ambulance transport us to the hospital. Chris got the lucky job of riding along with us, instead of going home to hang out with his wife and kids. He still makes fun of Ryan for being scared of the needle they gave him a shot with, but that is a whole other story.
Our other souigneur, Herman, is who I got to see this morning. Herman is a retired police officer. Legend has it that he got in trouble with his Sergeant for not writing enough tickets. It got so that everyone knew Herman, and if he pulled you over, it was just for a chat. The other reason he got in trouble was for using his Pistol too often, most notably during the Tour of Flanders, when a young Johan Bruyneel got into a breakaway and Herman the motorbike officer was in between the break away and the peloton, but that cannot be verified.
Both of the souigneurs have a rough job, rubbing the legs of the 16 dirty cyclists at camp every day. Chris also comes to all of the races with us, leaving with the first batch of juniors at 7 am, and not returning until the last of the elite leave the venue, usually after dark. It is dedication like this to the sport of cyclo-cross that sets Belgium apart from the US.
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We have one main mechanic and three assistants working pretty much round the clock--gluing tires, replacing cables, and cleaning the persistent and recurring Belgian muck from our bikes. Danny, or "Luigi" as he is referred to around here, the head mechanic is probably one of the best and fastest mechanics known to earth. I don't know how he glues tires up so fast and so well, but I think he has glue tubes attached to his hands instead of fingers.
All of the staff here in Belgium are dedicated to keeping our bodies, bikes, and minds running in top condition and for that we are greatly indebted.
Tomorrow is yet another race, which means an early rise, a big drive, and another big build up for a great day in the saddle. With luck, we will have some riders hitting good form, and hopefully, the front groups of the races. But either way, we will have an amazing support staff of dedicated Belgians holding the whole show together. With out them we would likely fail to launch.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Joseph Sales
- A little Belgian mud on Jerome Townshend's Alan 'cross bike
- Barry Wicks and Jeremy Powers
- Barry Wicks
- Super Support: Geoff Proctor's family helps get Barry's 'B' bike to the pits at Wachtebeke.
- Barry Wicks at Wachtebeke, Belgium
- Barry Wicks on the run-up at Wachtebeke, Belgium
- Barry Wicks racing at Wachtebeke, Belgium
- A Belgian fan at Wachtebeke asks Barry for a coveted "Wicknasty" trading card.
- Barry Wicks' and Ryan Trebon's Konas await the attention of Luigi, the world's fastest mechanic.
- Super Support: Tubulars are glued and ready to race.
- Barry Wicks seems to be having fun running in the deep sand at the Hofstade World Cup.
- Danny "Luigi" the mechanic cleans Troy Well's bike after the Hofstade World Cup.
- Super Mario cleans a "Wicknasty" Kona super fast at Azencross.
- Barry Wicks on the Avenue of Trees at Wachtebeke.
- Barry Wicks hangs a foot on the slippery course at Azencross.
- Barry Wicks hops on a fresh Kona for the last lap at Azencross in Loenhut, Belgium.
