After a one-year hiatus, the Eurocross Academy (ECA) returns to Belgium this week. Six men and four women riders will compete in two UCI Cyclocross World Cup races and train with the Dutch national team to experience European racing for the first time. Although the ECA's expedition to Belgium was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the program has been in place since 2003 and many active professional riders have taken advantage of it over the years. The organization, which recently became a non-profit, is run by Jeff Proctor, a full-time high school teacher. He is a member of a team that includes Joe Dombrowski (UAE Team Emirates), Logan Owen (EF Education-Nippo), and current cyclocross superstar and US National Champion Clara Honsinger (Cannondale- Cyclocrossworld.com).

"Everything is dialed in and there has been a lot of work, but we are ready," Proctor told Cycling News before flying out with the riders Wednesday.

"We've arranged all the coveted tests and 10 juniors will be racing. It's exciting, we've been doing this for 20 years and it's very important for the young riders to get some experience in Europe. The level and conditions are the best in Europe. So it is important to make sure they are comfortable in Europe. The vision is to create opportunities for American riders to go to Europe to learn and develop their trade."

Most of the riders heading to Europe this week have already attended 'cross camps in the U.S. over the summer, and several had success at the recent National Cyclocross Championships. [Seven of the 10 riders were together at the summer camp. It's really inspiring to work with young people, both in the classroom and as athletes. I really want to give them a chance. They are really motivating and inspiring," Proctor said. Next Wednesday they will practice with the Dutch team, and the second week will begin in earnest. This camp is also important in terms of giving the athletes a better chance at the World Championships. I was watching the top elite players at the All-Japan Championships this past weekend, and I think seven or eight of them were at our camp."

Fourth-place finisher Ben Stokes will also travel to Belgium with Vaughn Wienendahl and Marcis Shelton.

Kaya Musgrave, who finished third in the junior women's competition, will travel with Samantha Scott, Natasha Visnak, and Elsa Westenfelder, who finished fifth.

As usual, Cycling News will be posting blogs from the camp by the athletes during their Belgian adventure. Tomorrow's star riders will bring you their firsthand accounts, with personal insights into their races and experiences.