For the third successive season, EuroCrossAcademy (ECA) and Velo have joined forces to offer readers journal entries penned by young, aspiring student-athletes as they embark on the challenging European cyclocross circuit. This initial set of entries showcases ECA's current two-week block of nine nieuwelingen riders, aged 15-16, competing in Belgium and the Netherlands. The subsequent batch will feature U.S. juniors as they tackle the first youth world cup of 2024-25 in Dublin, Ireland.

ECA's Mission: Nurturing Cyclocross Talent

ECA's mission is to provide domestic summer training on-ramps and in-season European competition blocks. This enables promising cyclocross athletes to reach their best levels at each crucial stage of their development.

Entry #2: Lilli O’Donnell | FinKraft Junior Cycling Team | Delmar, NY

As bike racers, we often encounter unfamiliar things. It is crucial to learn from and absorb these new experiences to enhance our riding and personal growth.At my very first significant race, there were numerous unknowns. At the start, I was clueless and extremely nervous. But by the end, I had gained a wealth of knowledge. Throughout that season's weekends, I learned how to become more successful and familiar with U.S. UCI cyclocross racing. Now, three years later, I feel increasingly at ease during big U.S. races.(Photo: Ethan Glading / @thepenultimatestage)This hope has carried me forward to this two-week ECA 15-16 European trip - to explore European cyclocross ways. I arrived here with little knowledge about the training, riders, and racing. Within the first week, I have absorbed a great deal and already feel more adapted.The first significant learning experience occurred when we had the chance to train with Belgian kids in the Lichtaart forest on the first Wednesday. To an ordinary person, it might seem like a regular forest, but for me, it was much more. There was a large, sandy hill where we spent a lot of time on a well-worn course. Learning to consistently ride the ruts and be efficient in the sand was an amazing experience. You could tell that by training here weekly, the Belgians had mastered the lines and techniques.(Photo: Ethan Glading / @thepenultimatestage)The past weekend presented another excellent learning opportunity. We raced in Hever, Belgium, and Almelo, the Netherlands. One notable difference from U.S. racing was the start dynamics. Most of us are accustomed to starting in the first or second row, but this weekend, due to random draws or lacking provincial series points, we all started very far back. Hever had an extremely short start-straight, making it challenging to move up before turn 1. This meant we had to constantly fight to move up during the entire race. Passing was difficult as everyone was very aggressive and wouldn't make it easy. I took note of this for the next day's race in Almelo.Going into Almelo, I knew I had to fight for positions due to my poor call-up. So, I utilized my strengths on the course to recover and my weaknesses to try to stay with the girls ahead of me. I also made progress in getting myself ready for the race. In the States, I have a lot of support with my pre-race routine, but in Europe, I've learned that I can't always have my coach, parents, and teammates by my side. Over the course of my first weekend here, I've learned how to better communicate my needs and take on various tasks to support myself, such as making breakfast and establishing a race routine the night before.So far, this trip has been immensely beneficial for my growth as a person and a rider. It will undoubtedly make my next visit here much easier! I'm excited to embrace all the new learning opportunities in the weeks ahead.