"I don't get a salary" - USA's cyclocross national champion highlights risk of discipline fading in America

Cyclocross is going through a very difficult patch in the United States, with the traditional World Cup rounds not being held anymore, with the money having moved to gravel, and with many of the top riders also switching their focus away from the winter discipline. Cyclocross is truly at risk in America, with the national champion Andrew Strohmeyer himself admitting he does not even earn a salary.

This is shocking to hear, coming from the wealthiest nation in the world, and one that hosted the cyclocross world championships only a few years ago. "Unfortunately, we're struggling a bit right now. The gravel boom has taken over from cyclocross. Many riders and bike brands have made the switch. It's the next big thing – as a result, we've seen a sharp decline in participants and spectators at our cyclocross events," Strohmeyer shared with Wielerflits.

"It's gotten to the point where so many talented Americans quit cyclocross at a young age because they hate that they can't make a career out of it. All the prize money is also on gravel. It's not an Olympic sport, of course, but it is something new, and that's apparently appealing". The cyclocross specialist has thought about doing the same move, but remains attached to the discipline over passion. And at age 23, he still has the potential to evolve significantly over the next few years.

But will money talk louder? It might even in his case, because despite his incredibly high level, he is familiar with the struggles of committing to a 'smaller' discipline. "I don't get a salary, unfortunately. No American rider does, for that matter," he says. "I do have some individual sponsors who give me a little money, but that's it. That's why my biggest goal this season is to get good results here so I can be picked up by a European team. That changes everything. I'll even skip the American championships to stay here all winter".

He definitely puts responsibility on the American federation, which seems to have put cyclocross on the bottom quite consciously, instead placing their bets on gravel - a discipline that is most popular in American specifically. "For example: you can't earn prize money at any national championship in America, and that's been the case for years. But now, for gravel, suddenly more than $12,000 is being allocated. Absurd. That will definitely drive people away from cyclocross".

Even more so, the classic World Cup races in Waterloo and Fayetteville are now gone as the amount of races in the cup had diminished, the calendar has been condensed, and the international trips have been limited - for logistical and financial reasons. But of course for Strohmeyer, that's not ideal.

"Ultimately, the World Cup is only one, or at most two, days a year. Of course, it was great to be able to race close to home, but I don't know if it really adds value to the other World Cup rounds. What would really help us move forward is success by an American in the European World Cups. If you can compete at the front of the field, you make a difference."

"I've been competing in Europe for a few years now, and in the youth series, I've occasionally managed a top-5 or top-10 finish in the World Cups, but in the elite classes, it was never so easy. A problem I've noticed in recent years is that I, and many other American riders, are already past their prime by the time the World Cup starts".

What he is referring to is the American calendar which is highly focused in the months of September, October and November. The 23-year old has raced the Trek cup, consisting of eight races; three more events and the Pan-American Championships before even making the trip to Europe.

"So I made the difficult decision to race those American cyclocross races in October, while maintaining my core training. This way, I'll be in top shape from the Christmas period until the World Championships. That's a sacrifice few Americans are willing to make," he says. However his talent was apparent, as despite this decision, he won the classification of the Trek Cup and the Pan-Americans too, beating Eric Brunner in each.

He then made his European debut in the Hamme Flandriencross finishing 21st, but the week after, was 12th at the Tabor World Cup, finishing directly ahead of riders such as Pim Ronhaar, Toon Vandebosch and Felipe Orts. He is now staying in Europe for an extended period of time as his goal is to be signed by an European team, so he can pursuit his goal full-time without the financial worries that come with his current situation.

"I trained with Sven Nys in the woods once, and you can see in that one session how they push each other to improve. If I could do that every Wednesday afternoon, I'd only be able to make even more progress. A bit like Cameron Mason did with the Roodhooft brothers," he explains. "Let's hope I succeed. Riders from multiple nationalities at the front and in top teams can only help the sport expand and grow, right? The more international, the better".