"It shouldn't be at the expense of the sport" - Cyclocross' internationalization carries its own risks, Bart Wellens warns

Bart Wellens is a two-time cyclocross World Champion and up to this day continues to take on staff roles at some of the discipline's major teams and knows exactly what is necessary to run a team. This is specially challenging during international events, such as that of the Terralba World Cup race this weekend. The cyclocross legend warns against the logistical strain that such a raced brings.

"What I also noticed, unfortunately, is the limited turnout in Sardinia. And I'm talking about both the riders and the spectators," Wellens said in a column for Het Nieuwsblad. "I understand the desire to internationalize cyclocross, but to do that on an island with difficult connections... Just getting the equipment there is a major challenge. The same with the campers."

Ultimately, it becomes a very difficult challenge for the riders for many separate reasons. Long travel hours and expensive flights or drives to the race's location often make it impossible or unviable for those who aren't full-time pros to make the trip. Usually, only those with a full financial or logistical effort are able to make the trip to races such as Terralba, or as was the case last year, Cabras- in the same area. 

Besides, the unpredictable events can carry even larger consequences. Last year, all of the riders had made the trip to Italy and the race was ultimately cancelled last minute due to a storm in the area. Teams were left with thousands in loss without taking part in the race or getting the necessary sponsor exposure. This year, this was particularly clear because even in the male ranks, cup leader Thibau Nys and Cameron Mason were amongst the absentees, preferring to stay in mainland Europe and take the extra time to put in some quality training.

It is the risk that comes with large trips, besides the fact that there is less attendance in such locations. The Val di Sole event, which has taken place in the last few years, is a clear example of this. "[Lucinda] Brand washing herself in the sea makes for beautiful pictures, but that can't be what we want, can it?"

"You also saw that almost only Belgians, Dutch, and Italians were at the start. For big Belgian teams, that travel is still manageable, but for Czechs or Swiss, it's much more difficult," Wellens worries. "It's not just getting there with one bike, is it? I saw a beautiful cyclocross in a beautiful setting, but we have to be critical of the sport's biggest event. After all, isn't that what the World Cup aims to be?"

Ultimately, the Terralba World Cup startlists were skinned down at the end of the day, with many choosing not to do the trip despite the importance of the race in the 12-round World Cup.

"I completely understand the philosophy of Flanders Classics, the organizer of the World Cup. They want to go to special places to give cyclocross a special dimension. But it shouldn't be at the expense of the sport itself," the 47-year old warns.