Dutch team without key riders ahead of cyclocross European Championships

The cyclocross European Championships, set to take place in Pontevedra next Sunday, will be missing some key Dutch riders. In a press release from the KNWU, Dutch national coach Gerben de Knegt announced that three notable competitors will be absent.

Ryan Kamp, who has been a central figure in recent cyclocross controversies, will not be racing. Kamp was involved in a widely publicized altercation with Eli Iserbyt a few weeks ago, which led to a three-race suspension for Iserbyt. Unfortunately, Kamp’s season took another hit just a week later when he crashed in Ruddervoorde, sustaining injuries that have prevented him from competing since. According to De Knegt, “Ryan will continue to recover from his hard fall in the coming period.”

The elite women's race will also be missing two prominent Dutch riders, Manon Bakker and Denise Betsema. "They currently lack the form to be really competitive and will therefore let this championship pass them by," explained De Knegt. Bakker’s absence is particularly surprising, as she has consistently placed in the top ten since mid-October. Most recently, she achieved an impressive fourth place in Heerderstrand last weekend.

The Dutch team will now need to push forward without these athletes as they contend for European titles in Pontevedra.