January 9, 2008 — We caught up with several Canadian cyclocross racers who spent some time in Europe over Christmas, as they got their feet wet on the racing scene in the global heart of the “˜cross discipline. Nathan Chown, Derrick St. John, Natasha Elliott, Kevin Hazzard, Vicki Thomas and Wendy Simms took part in an intense schedule of competition in Belgium and the Netherlands during the holidays, often doing back-to-back racing. The Canucks were based at the U.S. Cycling Centre in Hertsberge, Belgium. They shared their experiences with Pedal in this four-part series.

Natasha Elliott, 29, of Ontario races for Stevens Cross and was ranked 40th in the UCI Women’s Cyclocross Rankings as of December 27, 2007. She finished 9th at the 2007 National Championships on October 21 in Kamloops, B.C. One of her best UCI results of the season to date is 3rd place at the Gran Prix of Gloucester in Gloucester, MA. Elliott, who has a background in running, started cycling competitively three years ago on the road. Her boyfriend and fellow cyclist, Derrick St. John, finally convinced her to try cyclocross last season, and since her first race, she’s been hooked.

Was this your first time racing in Europe?
Natasha Elliott: I had done World’s for Olympic distance triathlon a few years ago in Portugal, but this was my first time racing cyclocross in Europe.

What was it like, racing against Europeans compared North Americans?
NE: For the women, most of the field calibers was like racing a US Grand Prix event. The racing in the US for women this year has really been taken to another level.

Were the European courses similar to North American ones?
NE: The courses weren’t similar at all. They were raster, no [man-made] barriers on most, but lots of natural barriers, like sand and mud. There were lots and lots of sand and mud.

Tell me about the World Cup in Hofstade, Belgium on December 26?
NE: The World Cup was amazing. There was a ton of spectators and it was really hard trying to find your way to the course to pre-ride, and also find your way to the start line. I had a pretty awesome race as well, considering I started in the last row. I moved up a lot during the first lap, finding the holes, and probably doing a lot of extra running to get around people through the sand.

What has been most memorable for you about racing in Europe?
NE: Probably the World Cup race. The race was kind of a starting ground for me. Now I know where I am at and I have something to build on for future years. I was really nervous, as this was probably the biggest race I have ever done. I felt a little bit over my head on the start line, but once the gun went off, I knew that I was at this level and able to compete with the best of the best.

Do you think in order to race at a world-class level you need to be racing in Europe?
NE: I think in order to do well against the Europeans you have to race them. Now, if more of the top European women came to North America, then maybe it wouldn’t be as critical to race in Europe. But European courses are different and at the world level you have to be ready for anything, so racing in Europe does give you the advantage on these courses.

What, specifically, is different about the European style of racing?
NE: The racing is way more aggressive. Women will fight, even fist fight. In one of the races, some girls got tangled up on the stairs and someone said they were throwing punches at each other. The starts took a while to get use to. Everyone got called up, but then people in the last rows tried to merge up to the front row and had their elbows out before the gun went off.

Did you discover a favourite Belgian treat?
NE: Hmm, there are so many to choose from. Bakery treats are really good, waffles are even better, especially if they are fresh from a waffle stand. Everything seems to be filled with cream in Belgium – and not just any cream — full fat cream. The best thing I ate while I was there, was a giant piece of licorice that was filled with cream.

How was your Christmas?
NE: Christmas was like any other day. We went to pre-ride the World Cup course. Afterwards, the housemates we were staying with from the US and Canada all got together and made a Christmas dinner. It was definitely a pretty low-key Christmas.

How did you handle doing so many races in such a short time?
NE: I kind of eased into it and I think this helped me a lot more when I got to the World Cup. I wasn’t as tired as some of the riders that did all the races like me. Although, for next year I don’t think that I will do three races in a row again before the World Cup. Not only does the racing tire you out, but all the other things like travel, nerves, being outside the whole day, etcetera. These things have a bigger effect on you than you think, and do this three times in row right before one of the biggest races ever probably isn’t the greatest idea, and it did affect me even though I didn’t think it really did.

What were your goals when you set out on this European ‘cross racing adventure? Did you reach them?
NE: I did want to have one top-10 finish in one of the races and also place top 25 at my first World Cup race. I just missed out on both these, being 26th at the World Cup and then 13th in two other races. I had to sit out the last two races I wanted to do, as I broke my wrist. This was kind of disappointing, as my last race that I got to do was the World Cup, and I felt like I was finally getting the hang of the racing. But next year is not far away and I will set my standards even a little higher for then.

What is the biggest lesson you learned?
NE: Probably not getting too high or low about the races and the results. You are racing the best of the best and already at a disadvantage, coming to a new country and dealing with a different language, different foods, etcetera. You still have to go into races with goals, but stuff happens, you can get sick or be tired from jet lag and have some not so great races. The key is to take each race as a new day and do your best with what you have.

Not only did I learn a lot on the bike, but I also learned a lot off the bike. I had the opportunity to become friends with two great athletes, who I shared accommodations with. Our very own Canadian National champion, Wendy Simms, and an accomplished American rider, Barb Howe. These two women are fine examples of true champions in their sport. Wendy, being so successful, is so very down to earth and relaxed. She is a very positive role model and so humble about her success.

Barb had a very misfortunate accident at the World Cup race. When she dismounted off her bike to run, she tore her Achilles tendon. She had to have emergency surgery and cut her racing in Europe short. I have never seen someone with so much positive energy under such a misfortunate circumstance. And through this, Wendy sacrificed some of her time and rest between races, and even sacrificed some training, to make sure her friend Barb was okay.

I hope as I continue in this sport I can possess some of the same qualities as these two athletes.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, and good luck with your upcoming season.
NE: Thanks.