Summer USA Cycling Cyclocross Camp with Geoff Proctor. © Tom Robertson
HELENA, MONTANA – Geoff Proctor, organizer of the US ’cross camp that takes place in Belgium each winter and USA Cycling, teamed up for the second consecutive summer to give 17 aspiring athletes a chance to participate in a cyclocross-specific summer training camp in Helena, Montana in late July.
“The camp went well last year, so we wanted to do it again and keep on bringing kids forward with their training, their motivation, and their focus. It’s a big year with Louisville worlds coming, but it’s also important to keep looking at the younger riders coming up. I’m really thankful to USAC for giving me and the riders this opportunity,” said Geoff Proctor.
The camp, spread over four days, included four sessions a day: early morning conditioning, late morning specific cyclocross training, afternoon rides up in the mountains, and evening classroom sessions with video analysis of European cyclocross races and segments of motivational footage as well.
Proctor explains his approach to training:
“I like the compressed, focused approach. Multiple opportunities within a short amount of time to work on and reinforce certain skills. We spend a lot of time talking about different techniques and I like to give the riders a chance for ample practice in a non-competitive, but serious atmosphere.”
“Several weeks prior, I line out all the training rides, facilities, and equipment. There’s no guess work and everything is tightly planned and structured. I added a few new segments this summer as well. A ‘yoga for cycling’ session, another venue for practicing bunny-hopping and stair running, and, finally, a fun-had-by-all scavenger hunt to end the camp.”
“Each year I also try to bring in professional riders. Last year, it was great to have Sam and Andy Schultz come over from Missoula. This year, we really enjoyed having BMC pro mountain bike rider Stephen Ettinger, who spends most of his domestic time in nearby Bozeman.”
Proctor will also continue his development vision with his tenth EuroCrossCamp this winter. Just a month before Louisville, this year’s camp will focus on hopefuls for worlds in the junior, U23, and women categories.
CX Summer Camp Roster
(Birth years and hometowns)
1994
- Drew Dillman – Fairdale, KY
- Zane Godby – Louisville, CO
- Tobin Ortenblad – Santa Cruz, CA
1995
- Curtis White – Delanson, NY
- Steven Bassett – Knoxville, TN
- Spencer Downing – Boulder, CO
1996
- Ian Haupt – Whitefish Bay, WI
- Landen Beckner – Helena, MT
- Maxx Chance – Boulder, CO
- Josey Weik – Wrenshall, MN
- Austin Vincent – Simsbury, CT
1997
- Ethan Reynolds – Boise, ID
- Cooper Willsey – Hinesburg, VT
- Ian McShane – Louisville, KY
- Gavin Haley – Louisville, KY
1998
- Gage Hecht – Parker, CO
- Spencer Petrov – Mason, OH
