Berry picked for year-end Euro Cross Camp

Nov 29, 2009 by editor

Portland’s Josh Berry (BODE Cycling) made the selection for the 2009 Euro Cross Camp based out of USA Cycling’s house in Izegem, Belgium. The two-week development camp starts in mid-December and offers riders a fully supported Euro cyclocross campaign in the heart of the sport. Or, as the program director Geoff Proctor says on the website, “Nine possible races, 14 days, 18 riders, 36 bikes, 1 director, 1 assistant director, 6 mechanics, 3 soigneurs, 2 chefs, 3 vans, 3 cars. Cyclocross racing at its ‘Euro grittiest best!”

Berry moved from Idaho to Portland this season in part so that he could learn how to race in the mud. A regular rider on or near the front of Oregon’s Elite Men’s races, he won the Blind Date at the Dairy series and finished second at the SSCXWC09. But it was Berry’s performance at the USGP in New Jersey, where he finished 6th in the U/23 category, that paved the way for selection to the European trip.

The 18-year-old rider joins a long list of talent that has benefited from the seven-year-old program. Ryan Trebon, Jeremy Powers, Erik Tonkin, Jamey Driscoll, Barry Wicks, Jesse Anthony, Bjorn Selander, Danny Summerhill, Troy Wells and Nicholas Weighall are just a few of the riders who have taken part in the intense two weeks of living and racing European cyclocross.

The USA House is situated on the small suburban streets of Izegem in flat, windy West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen). USA Cycling National Endurance Director Noel Dejonckheere converted the nondescript structure to a dormitory 10 years ago when he started the National U/23 Road Program. Since then, numerous riders have been through the house on their way to the highest levels of competitive cycling.

U/23 riders selected for Izegem Euro Cross Camp:

• Danny Summerhill (Felt-Holowesko Partners-Garmin) Centennial, CO
• Zach McDonald (Stevens/Classic Cycle) Bainbridge Island, WA
• Jerome Townsend (BikeReg.com/Joe’s Garage/IF) Princeton, MA
• Steve Fisher (Rad Racing NW/Hagens Berman) Bellingham, WA
• Travis Livermon (Champion System/Cannondale)  Winterville, NC
• Josh Berry (BODE) Portland, OR
• Joe Dombrowski ( Haymarket Bicycles/HomeVisit) Marshall, VA
• Joseph Schmalz  (KCCX/Verge ) Lawrence, KS