January 27, 2008 (Treviso, Italy) – We caught up with 2008 Canadian Cyclocross Team Manager, Glen Rendall, during the CX Worlds to find out about preparations, his impressions and an insider look at the process of what the team goes through to attend an event of this calibre – here are his comments.

So how have the preparations for the 2008 CX Worlds been going?
Glen Rendall: It’s gotten better every day – I’m getting a better bearing on things. The first few days, the camera trucks and the event planners were there, but in terms of the actual layout it was unknown until they were drawn up at the manager’s meeting. I think the officials are getting used to the Canadian van too – everyone was wondering if I was just a fan. When we asked for car passes, we requested three, while Belgium asked for 12. We both have the same amount of space and they’re right beside us, so we know we’re going to have to deal with some encroaching.

Has the situation for preparations been difficult with team selections not being known until late?
GR: Everything is falling together. When I first started putting things in place we didn’t have a list of athletes. We were looking for hotels that were able to handle a certain number of people. Even with the clothing – it’s specially made by Louis Garneau for the race and we didn’t know how many to make. But once you’re here, it all seems to easier and the athletes are here now – you’ve got the van and the hotels. Now it’s just a matter of letting the event take place. The bulk of what I’m doing is done, the mechanics are taking their places in the pit area. We’ve had the team meetings and the plans are getting around. Now I’m just managing everyone here so that they can each do their own task, and once they’re doing it, it’s not so hard for me.

What do you think of the course?
GR: The course looks like it has a mix of everything. At first I thought it was going to be really fast judging by the amount of gravel, stone and even grass, but after the riders have been riding it, it’s changed. There is one section where there is a lot of mud. You’ve got a super fast area, then you’ve got some slippery turns – some nice off cambers, a good run up to watch the top riders try to ride up the 25% climb – you’ve got to have an un-obstructed path if you’re going to get up it.

The interesting thing for me is it isn’t a full-on power course and it’s not a full-on technical course either. In some ways it’s like a mountain bike course – it has a flow to it. I watched a video of the last time there was a race here and it looked like it was high speed, but I don’t see it like that now. It will definitely be different if it rains – the off-cambers are tricky now, but not crazy. It’s a world championship course for sure and it’s turned into a spectacle now – the zip line camera over the lake is there. Cameras everywhere and the crowds are getting out.

What about Lyne Bessette – have you heard anything from her about why she’s not racing?
GR: It’s unfortunate she can’t been here. She told us she wasn’t feeling 100% and wanted to put in a 100% effort to represent the national team jersey. Some of the athletes are here for the experience, but Lyne has done it and is a fine representative and a champion in her own right. Some times it’s better to know when to fold your cards. It’s too bad – it would have been really good to have her on the team. She’ll be here as a sport’s delegate for Canada, so I’m glad she’ll be around in some capacity.

How is the support for the team?
GR: We’ve put together a pretty good support staff – it’s fallen into place a bit. You look at the skills people have and how they can use it. It’s turned out pretty good.

It must be difficult to coach a team of individuals coming together for such a short project.
GR: It’s a challenge but I know some of the athletes and everyone is motivated to be here. Some team members can make it over earlier – it has a lot to do with school and other commitments. It would be nice to put together a program where we’re doing more than the World Championships, like travelling as a team to 3-4 World Cups beforehand and riding as a team a bit more.

At the same time it would be something I’d been keen on managing and it would be something the athletes would also be keen on. Once the logistics are set up it isn’t bad… sure there is some travelling involved, but when you look at ski teams for instance – they travel as a group. Because cyclocross isn’t funded there is some freedom in the current set up – but it would be great to have this opportunity because it could have it’s own program.

Thanks for your team and good luck with the team.
GR: Thanks