CXM: You declined an automatic qualifying spot to the CrossVegas World cup. Are you sad to miss the [CrossVegas] World Cup?
EA: Oh yeah. Of course I’m sad. I mean, it’s really exciting to have a World Cup in America. It’s historic. I’d love to be there.
CXM: Will you go and watch?
EA: No. it’s probably better for me not to go. But I’ll be rooting for all my racing friends.
CXM: What do you think of Zolder [the site of the 2016 World Championships]?
EA: It’s one of my favorites. I had to miss it last year because that’s when I had stitches in my knee and couldn’t ride for a week, which is really a bummer for me, because during my first trip, in 2013, I was racing Zolder, and I was poised on the last lap to have my best finish in Europe at the time. I was racing right behind Helen Wyman, maybe in eighth place, and that was incredibly exciting for me, it was my first time in Europe, I didn’t know how I was going to do. But then I got a flat tire. I think in general, when you talk about Zolder, I’m really looking forward to going back and reclaiming what I left out two years ago.
Elle Anderson is all smiles reflecting on her Belgian adventures with Cyclocross Magazine, but it took time to get to that point. © Andrew Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
CXM: It sounds like there might be still some possibility of heading back to Europe?
EA: I really love the racing in Europe. It really inspires me, it motivates me, and I find it so rewarding to be over there, racing against the courses, the competition, in that environment, I know deep down that I really, really like it. Regardless of all the other factors that made for a difficult experience, it wasn’t the racing that made it difficult, but my challenge now is to make it back to Europe and create a more positive experience.
CXM: Thanks for your time, and good luck with your return to racing later this season.
EA: Thank you!
Check back soon for an announcement as to Elle Anderson’s racing program and plans.
