The Koppenbergcross is always one of the early highlights of the cyclocross season and in 2024, it will once again take place on November 1st. This time around though, somewhat curiously the UCI have arranged the European Championships in Spain just two days later.
The questionable arranging of the calendar has drawn some intense criticism from two time cyclocross world champion, Bart Wellens. “It’s a disgrace that they don’t think about the people next to the riders,” says Wellens in comments to Het Nieuwsblad. “The rider gets on the plane on Saturday and is in his hotel a few hours later. But in the meantime, the entourage has to make sure that the material gets there. From the Koppenberg to Pontevedra, that’s two thousand kilometres. So they leave on Friday after the race and have to drive day and night to get there on time, with a van that doesn’t move at all. They can’t afford to rest because otherwise they won’t be at the race on time.”
As mentioned, in Wellens' opinion the blame lies solely at the feet of the UCI. “The UCI should never have allowed this,” the 46-year-old Belgian fumes. “They are now creating a dangerous situation for the riders’ entourage. The solution was obvious. Why couldn’t the Koppenberg, for once, be organised on a different date, Wednesday for example? It’s a holiday week, there would always have been an audience.”
“The Koppenberg should have been restrained for once and the UCI should never have approved this calendar," concludes Wellens firmly. "And don’t get me wrong: Spain has just as much right as any other country to organise a European Championship. But it does create a dangerous situation and that’s a shame.”
The last two years, Michael Vanthourenhout has prevailed at the European Championship. Can he make it a hat-trick in Spain? We've not long to find out.
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