Dylan's Euro Trip: World Championship Qualifier
Donation protected
Part 3:
Hello Everyone!
Since my last update, I am happy to announce that I was selected for the World Championship team! This was my main goal going into the season and it's awesome to see that come to fruition. Until that comes, I am wrapping up my time here in Spain, with the World Cup in Benidorm tomorrow (January 21). It has been absolutely amazing here, with a lot of sun and miles on the bike. Being able to train and be around several elite-level athletes and train with other Team USA riders has been a great environment. It has been an incredible way to learn about another culture and travel almost solo in a country I have never been to. The next few weeks are quite busy with travel to and from races and returning to the Netherlands with the rest of the USA crew. I will be racing Benidorm and then heading back to Sittard a couple of days later to race the Hoogerheide World Cup the following weekend. The cyclocross World Championships will be in Tabor, Czech Republic, on February 3rd for the U23 men.
Only with your support, I was able to raise enough money for the Kerstperiode (Christmas period) of racing. Since I stayed in Europe pending Worlds selection, my expenses have of course increased quite a bit. There have been more flights, baggage costs, housing, food, and needed bike parts. My family has been helping me as much as they can but it gets pretty expensive when I've been on the road racing since early September! If you can help me with any size of donation, that would mean the world to me! If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to reach out via the contact button or Instagram. I would be more than happy to talk with you.
Part 2:
Hello! I have had a fantastic time here in Euroland! I had a bit of a rough start getting sick and having to skip the first 2 races, but I was ecstatic to start at Zolder. It has been both humbling and motivating at the races. The level is so high here and understanding the racing isn’t just hard, but it feels completely different here. I have had some great learning experiences having to deal with getting sick and the ramifications of that and having to change my mindset to align a bit more. With all of that being said, I have decided to extend my trip to allow for some training in Spain with other US athletes and potentially some World Cup racing and the World Championships (pending selection). It's also cheaper for me to stay in Spain for the time between the 8-19th roughly and then be somewhere in Belgium or the Netherlands after rather than fly home to CO and then fly back to the Czech Republic to race Worlds if selected. With that extension comes more expenses. Mainly flights and housing, but also the "smaller" things such as food, parts, and more. So many people have already donated to make this trip happen in the first place and I appreciate that so much! I would be so grateful for any additional support I can raise for the additional expenses. If you have any questions about what I'm doing or where the money would be used, please don't hesitate to reach out to me - the best way is probably to direct message me on Instagram, but you can also reach out to me via the contact here. THANK YOU!!!
Part 1:
Hi! My name is Dylan. For those who don’t know me, I've been racing my bike since I was 12 years old. A family friend introduced me to cycling, invited me on a few rides, and got me involved in the local race scene. I fell in love with the sport and have been racing ever since! Thanks to the support of my family, friends, and sponsors, I've been competing in the UCI domestic season for the past several seasons and have expanded to the international scene a couple of times for short stretches. However, for the first time, I have been invited to race during the Kerstperiod.
For those unfamiliar, the Kerstperiod is a significant block of racing primarily held in Belgium and the Netherlands around Christmas time. It's the highlight of many cyclocross racers and offers incredible opportunities for notable results. Riders and fans from all over the world gather for this block of racing!
Since joining the UCI ranks as a junior and now as a U23 rider, my focus has always been on being the most consistent rider possible and working hard at progressing in my sport. From earning my first UCI point last year at Charm City to securing my first Elite Podium this year at Really Rad, all of these experiences are important to my goal of becoming a professional cyclocross athlete.
As this year’s domestic season is coming to a close and I look towards this trip, I’m very excited for the opportunity and also unsure how it will all fall into place and I’m needing support to make this goal a reality. The funds will be used to cover essential expenses such as flights, housing, transportation, food, and mechanic support. I would appreciate any donation you are able to make. I will do my best to share my experiences and keep my community posted!
Making trips like these happen requires a village and I really appreciate you considering supporting my journey. If you have any questions, I would be happy to talk with you. The Best way to reach me is by shooting me a message on my socials.
Thank you,
Dylan
Organiser
Dylan Zakrajsek
Organiser
Grand Junction, CO