At 24, Dutch cyclocross rider Mees Hendrikx faced an
uncertain future last year after his contract with Crelan-Corendon, led by the Roodhooft
brothers, was not extended. With no offers from professional cyclocross teams,
Hendrikx found himself in a challenging position until Heizomat RadTeam p/b
Hermann stepped in. Reflecting on this unexpected turn of events, Hendrikx
expressed his relief, telling WielerFlits, "It was a big
relief."
As he prepares to race in the European Cyclocross Championships
on Sunday, he looks back on the journey with gratitude. “It was a long search
and difficult, but when I got in touch with this team, things went quickly again.”
Hendrikx discovered more than just a contract with the
German team, he found an environment that renewed his love for cycling. “Peace,
and it is much more family-like. I feel at ease here and have started enjoying
cycling again and have found my way in this team again,” he shared. This
supportive atmosphere, he believes, has been crucial to his renewed enthusiasm
for the sport.
He attributes this to Heizomat RadTeam’s unique approach,
contrasting it with his previous experiences in cyclocross. “They have a
different approach to cross. I think it is much quieter. The boss started the
team out of passion and love for the sport, because he loves cross. And those
Germans are clear and straightforward. Dutch people generally are too, so I
think we clicked right from the start.”
Looking ahead to the European Championship, Hendrikx is
eager to represent his new team, but he has no regrets about skipping the
recent Koppenbergcross. “It’s always nice to go to a European championship. The
Koppenbergcross was not on the agenda anyway. As long as they don’t change that
course, I won’t go there anymore,” he remarked with a serious undertone and a
laugh, adding, “I really don’t like it, it’s really not my thing. I used to
think the course was really beautiful.”
As Hendrikx prepares for the next chapter of his career with
Heizomat RadTeam, he’s found renewed motivation in an environment that aligns
with his values, helping him rediscover his passion for cyclocross.
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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