The Cyclo-Cross National Championships in Huijbergen promises to be an exciting edition this weekend. The course is slippery and partly snowed in by the winter showers, but according to the organization the championship will continue as normal. “We have had the worst of it,” says course designer Jan Maas, who has been involved with the organization for thirty years.
The winter weather is fully visible on the course. The snow makes it difficult to estimate where the dangerous places are, especially in areas with roots and loose sand.
Cyclocross rider Yannick immediately feels this while riding. “It is quite slippery with snow. You also cannot see where the roots and loose sand are,” he says. This requires extra concentration, especially on the descents: “There you really have to watch where you are driving.”
Lander also expects a technically difficult match. “Very tricky. The tracks and roots are very slippery,” he says. Yet he expects a great battle, in which technique and driving skills can make the difference. “It will be a lot of fun for the artists on bicycles.”
Tension within the organization
These were nerve-wracking days for course designer Jan Maas. In thirty years of organizing, he has never experienced a National Championship with such winter conditions. “This is the first time it has been so extreme and white,” he says. The weather forecast was therefore closely monitored in recent days. “At least about 15 times a day.”
Despite the tension, Maas is convinced that the National Championships will continue. The organization has taken extra measures to keep the course safe. “We have extra salt and brine, especially for the descents and at the start and finish.”
According to Maas, it remains responsible, as long as riders monitor their own limits. “You don’t have to cycle down a descent. If you think: ‘I’d rather take it on foot, then you take it on foot.'” That takes time, but reduces the risks. His main concern is for the public. Bad weather can cause spectators to stay away, while they are the ones who make the National Championships.
Yet trust prevails. “It will continue. We are doing everything we can, it just has to continue,” he says with conviction.
Matthieu van der Poel is a six-time Dutch champion, but is not participating in the National Championships in Huijbergen. He has his sights set on the World Championships, which will be held in Hulst on February 1.