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.