Cyclo Cross 2017/2018 [antikvár]

The end of the kickstarter campaign is always an emotional affair. For over a month, rarely an hour goes past without checking how the campaign is going, how many people pledged, and so forth. On top of that, the most intense month of cyclocross is underway, a month that culminates in die crescendo of the World Championships. But it all comes to an end, and with your help, I've managed to hit my target. The result is what you are holding in your hands. The completion of the book wasn't without its challenges, delivering articles to deadlines can be tricky, particularly when most of my contributors are hip-deep in the busy spring cycling season. Though this is not, strictly speaking, cyclocross-related, I still wanted to talk about Michael Goolaerts. I can't claim that I knew him, I'd only met him once before that fateful day in Roubaix. I was following the Sniper cycling team the Wednesday before, on their Paris-Roubaix recce. The team was taking me around in a pickup truck and, at one point, I was sitting on the floor of the box in the back, holding on for my dear life, as we rattied on over the cobbles. The car was bouncing all over the place and it was very difficult to keep the camera aimed at the riders. On that pave section, Goolaerts was riding at the front as I was bumping around. I'd managed to catch this one frame of him. In the light of the later events, this feels like a rather fateful image. As always, the second half of this space is dedicated to saying thank you to a number of people who helped me to craft this book and made my cyclocross season possible. Marijke Lein and Wim Goemaere, my Belgian family, were once again the backbone of my season. They looked after me through the winter - thank you for that. Andrew Juiliano and Annick Lamb were a constant presence during the season - Andrew himself racing and Annick supporting him. They always had a kind word or a smile for me and I am happy to report that I have successfully infected them with the love of my favourite board game, 'Ticket to Ride'. Russell Ellis and Kristóf Ramon helped me out the days before the Worlds during a family emergency - I am grateful for their selfless help. John and Rachel Coe patiently helped me to put togetiier the book itself and it means a great deal that they can be relied on year after year. I luiow xhzt they will return the proofs quickly and efficiently. Nick Lemke was my trusted editor for another year, going through every character of the book, making sure it all makes sense and there aren't any typos. Anne-Marije Rook not only wrote an excellent feature about the strength of the female cyclocross scene in the US, but she also helped me out with some translations. Thank you to Nico Dick and Ann Braeckman, who both delivered great and insightful articles, with a unique point of view. I'm grateful for Michael van den Ham for yet another wonderful summary of the Superprestige season. Last, but not least, I want to thank the support of my family and Katie, who put up with yet another Christmas and New Year's Eve organised around the Kerstweek. Thank you all for your help from the bottom of my heart. And, of course, thank you, dear reader, for supporting this venoire. I hope you enjoy the book you are holding in your hands. ¦