Winter gives way to spring. Cyclocrossers take a break, then begin their spring campaigns on the road, trails, and track. Come summer, the form is there and the results follow.

That’s the scene I witnessed–with pride–this week (July 29-August 2, 2009) at the USA National Road Championships in Bend, OR. Being able to watch, witness, and visit with so many good young riders whom I’ve had a chance to work with in cyclocross is extremely rewarding. Hearing announcer Dave Towle mention over and over the word “cyclocross” in his commentating is a coup for all of us who believe in the power of  the discipline of cyclocross in the overall development of young American bike racers.

Have a look at what some Euro Cross Camp and World CX Team riders did this week in Bend:

U-23 RR: 1. Alex Howes (Garmin); 8. Bjorn Selander (Livestrong); 15. Danny Summerhill (Garmin); 18. Toby Marzot (Mtn Khakis).
U-23 TT: 2. Bjorn Selander (Livestrong); 22. Will Dugan (CCB); 44. Danny Summerhill (Garmin); 56. Andrew Llewellyn (Texas Roadhouse).
U-23 Crit: 1. Alex Howes (Garmin); 3. Bjorn Selander (Livestrong); Danny Summerhill (Garmin); Will Dugan (CCB).

Jr RR: 17. Chris Wallace (Mercy Cycling); 20. Morgan Ryan (Major Motion); 41. Luke Keough (CL Noonan); 46. Ian Terry (Hagens Berman).
Jr TT: 8. Luke Keough (CL Noonan); 10. Chris Wallace (Mercy Cycling); 42. Morgan Ryan (Major Motion).
Jr. Crit: 2. Morgan Ryan (Major Motion); 4. Luke Keough (CL Noonan); 21. Ian Terry (Hagens Berman); 22. Chris Wallace (Mercy Cycling).

And, though not all the Euros were there, both Zach McDonald (Classic Cycles) and Eric Emsky (Rad Racing) rode strongly in the two MTB World Cups in Canada this past week as well.

And how about Gavin Mannion (Hottubes) named to the junior worlds road team headed to Moscow this week? Did you catch his result today in Liege la Gleize stage race? 13th overall I think.

What “seasons” these “cyclocross” guys are having? Can you see the edges blurring? For the younger guys who haven’t yet “chosen” one discipline over another–it’s all good.

It’s really a pleasure to be able to visit with these young riders I know well from another part of the season. To share that bond, to talk to them about their plans and hopes. To see a guy like Will Dugan trying to bring back the break in the crit today, you see that same fire, that same focus. After all, it’s all bike racing.

Finally, while I didn’t get the opportunity to have old friend and Nationals Promoter Brad Ross himself give me the tour, USAC’s Events Director Tom Vinson was kind enough to walk me through the upcoming 2009 Nationals CX parcours. Brad’s got a corker of a course laid out. It’s going to have plenty of dimension and pop. It’s gonna be good. But isn’t it always? Make your reservations now.

All right. Enough said. I depart tomorrow with this year’s Junior 15, 16 Team to Izegem for indoctrination into the rhythms of Belgian road racing. I did the same the summer of 2007 and those kids are rocking the roads now as juniors with two in Moscow this week for junior worlds–Jacob Rathe and Ian Boswell.

It goes and it comes.

Keep it tuned here for some pre-season euro cyclocross scuttle.
GP

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