Eli Iserbyt leads Careras' rider super-agency on task "to integrate cyclocross into their structure" as project coordinator

Eli Iserbyt's career came to a wrap last winter. The former European cyclocross champion had been dealing with persistent health issues since the 2024/25, and ultimately stopped entirely a year later. But that doesn't mean the 28-year-old fully disappeared from the world of cycling - quite the contrary.

Already during his career, Iserbyt learned the arts of contract negotiations as a self-represented athlete. These skills have not gone unnoticed by the Carera agent brothers who have, after Iserbyt's retirement, immediately made advances to get the Belgian cyclocrosser aboard their project.

"I have always enjoyed negotiating my own contracts and handling matters," Iserbyt tells WielerFlits.

The technicalities of formal aspect of the agent work may scare some, Iserbyt has been prepped for that: "I also studied law for a year. Suffice it to say: this is a sector that appeals to me. When the request came from A&J All Sports, I didn't hesitate for long. The company behind Tadej Pogacar, Isaac Del Toro, Giulio Ciccone, and so many other greats: that is a candy store."

Whilst the A&J All Sports have a serious reputation on the road cycling scene - and are building future links in the world of mountain bikes - they still lack a connection to cyclocross universe. And that's precisely where Iserbyt with decade worth of experience comes into play.

"I really wanted to stay in cyclocross, but I didn't know how," explains the new 'Cyclocross Coordinator'. "Perhaps a direct role as a sports director would have been a bit too confronting, especially in those first few years. This is a great way to be closely involved in the sport, but with a broader perspective. I won't be fully in the field, although you will certainly see me there sometimes, and that is perhaps the best start."

Giving up on his active career took some getting used to: "The first few months felt strange, because all your structure falls away. It was difficult to find that again for a while, but on the other hand, I also had plenty of room to choose a new direction. The fact that I was able to join the Careras is partly thanks to everything I have achieved in cyclocross. But it is also a whole new world opening up for me."

Even now, you could find a handful of active part-time cyclocrossers under the Carera wings such as Emiel Verstrynge or Fleur Moors, but even more interesting to the Careras are the future road stars that might come from cyclocross - including junior world champion Léo Bisiaux.

"This is new for them, but they are very keen to integrate cyclocross into their structure," says Iserbyt. "That makes sense, too, because you notice that more and more riders start in cyclocross and later also enjoy racing on the road. That is why we are focusing on a kind of hybrid structure, from which riders can only benefit in the long term."

Just two active cyclocrossers doesn't sound like an extensive networks, but it allows Iserbyt to fully dedicate his efforts to his clients, something he notices to be an issue for overloaded agencies. "There is significant pressure at many agencies. Whereas we are opting for a choice that is less profitable, with a maximum of six riders, we want to offer quality."