U.S. Cyclo-Cross Racers Rely on Dutch Base & Donations too Compete in Europe
FLAMANVILLE, France – A contingent of 18 American cyclo-cross riders are currently competing in Europe, supported by a unique arrangement: a USA Cycling-funded โhouse in Watersley, Netherlands, and a crowdfunding initiative called “Mudfund,” as they pursue racing โคopportunities without team salaries. The โฃathletes are based โฃat the Sports and Talent Park in Sittard, Limburg, allowing โขthem to extend their European racing season despite the financial challenges of living abroad.
The reliance on these resources highlights the difficulties faced by American cyclo-cross riders seeking to compete atโค the highest level. Unlike many European counterparts, American racers currently receive no salaries from teams and depend on individual sponsorships โขand public donations to cover travel and living expenses. this situation is โespecially acute as cyclo-cross is not currently an Olympic sport,โ limiting access to higher-level funding. The majority of the American team will return home after races in flamanville to prepare for the national championships, but some, like Andrew Strohmeyer,โ are attempting to secure contracts with European teams based on theirโข performance.
“Fortunately, โคwe can live in a USA Cycling house in Watersley โขduring the season. Thatโ has been happening for a number โฃof โคyears, and it is indeed already starting to feel โa bit like home,” said Strohmeyer, currently ranked twelfth inโค Tรกbor. “Especially โฃnow thatโค the juniors are still hear. Soon it will feel less nice all by itself.”
The “mudfund” initiative has proven crucial, enabling the American team to continue racing despite limited financial backing. “It used to be almost unfeasible for โan American to stayโค here longer. If you have to pay rent and all those travel costs, you know itโ will be difficult,”โ Strohmeyer explained. “But thanks to those donors, we can still race at the highest level with a group of Americans and stay here.”
Strohmeyer confirmed that โno American cyclo-cross riders currently receive aโ salary, relying instead on individual sponsors for limited financial support. His primary goal for โtheโ current season is to achieve results that will attract the attention of a European team.
A full interview with Strohmeyer, detailing hisโข experiences as an American racing โขin Europe, his thoughts on the World โCup, and his pursuit ofโค a team contract, will be published โon this website on Thursday.