‘Sandy downhills were absolutely terrifying’ – US EuroCrossAcademy riders Hadley Molnar and Jacob Hines conquer doubts and mistakes at Hofstade and Zolder

The Yuletide festivities of December mean one thing for cyclo-cross enthusiasts and racers – Kerstperiode – a Dutch/Flemish term used to describe the cluster of ‘cross races that take place between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Most of the races are in Belgium and that is where 14 young US athletes will train and race for two weeks with the EuroCrossAcademy.

This group was exclusively for 17-18 year olds, something the ECA and founder Geoff Proctor have done for more than 20 years; the 15-16 block for ECA took place in November. Among the pinnacles of racing in Europe was a chance to ride the sand of Belgium. And not just any sand, but the celebrated sand of Antwerp, where Mathieu van der Poel excelled eight times, and the “terrifying” deep sand at Zolder.