The cross begins and the crossing to America is again a point of criticism: ‘It’s crazy’

In conversation with Sporza Jürgen Medpenningen – manager of Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal – tells us about the impact of the trip. “We make cross-country a total sport. The World Cup is the most prestigious classification in cyclocross, so a goal for our team, but it’s still crazy. We travel all the way to America for a one-hour race. We leave on Friday and come back on Monday.

Mettepenningen says that rationally speaking, he won’t be leaving with the team. “Eight of us are going to Waterloo. Four riders and four staff. It costs between 20,000 and 25,000 euros for three to four days. We may have dropped one, but we’re bound to race there as one of the biggest cross teams.

As in the past, Mettepenningen hopes that two crosses will soon be added to the calendar in the United States. “Then it makes sense to fly back to America. Now we have hesitated for a long time and finally decided on the sports aspect. Leonie Bentveldt, Ryan Kamp, Elie Iserbeit and Michael Vandoorenhout are driving in Waterloo on behalf of Pavels Sasson-Bingol.

give up

The ever-outspoken Eli Iserbite rarely calls a cross in America. “It’s still the best moment to ride there. When you move on, the comeback has to be big. It’s physically and financially difficult right now. But the World Cup is highly valued by us and we want to go for it. But yes, I definitely thought about giving up this cross.” .