A Winter in the Field

Personal Attention, Clear Guidance, and Building from Scratch

This past winter, Youngchampions® launched a structured cyclocross program for youth.

Not commercial, but non-profit.
Fully based on the conviction that youth development requires personal attention, clear guidance, and structured planning.

In South Limburg, there is a lot of young talent. At the same time, cohesion and direction are often lacking during a crucial phase of development. With this winter program, we wanted to show what is possible when youth are guided purposefully and from the ground up.

Built from Scratch

The winter program was literally built from scratch.
Without a permanent training location or existing facilities.

Training sessions took place:

  • First in Belgium, where space was available

  • Then on a temporary plot of land

  • Finally in the Bike Park, rented with lighting to train safely

This approach required flexibility, but it also provided clarity: youth development should not depend on chance or perfect conditions.

Personal Attention as a Foundation

A key principle was personal attention.
Every rider develops differently — physically, technically, and mentally.

That’s why we worked with:

  • Small, manageable groups

  • Focus on individual learning points

  • Space for questions and feedback

  • Guidance before and after races

Not training harder, but training smarter and more purposefully.

Guidance and Structure

The program was built around a clear framework.
Not reacting week by week, but thinking ahead.

The focus was on:

  • Technical fundamentals

  • Race awareness and positioning

  • Gradual load progression

  • Learning to handle pressure and setbacks

Races were used as part of the learning process, not as evaluation moments. Assessments focused on choices, behavior, and development — not just results.

Progress and Fun

Looking back, it’s clear that the chosen approach worked very well.

We observed:

  • Clear technical and mental progress

  • More calmness and self-confidence during races

  • Riders making more conscious decisions

  • Retention of fun, even in challenging moments

Additionally, a close and positive group formed, where youth supported and motivated each other. Performance and enjoyment were not opposites, but reinforced each other.

Criticism, Dialogue, and Innovation

A pioneering approach always raises questions.
High trees catch a lot of wind.

During the program, there were also voices from outside — opinions from people not directly involved and who did not see the work up close. That comes with doing things differently from the usual path.

For us, this was no reason to doubt our direction. On the contrary, it highlighted the importance of a clear vision and the courage to make choices.

Transparency was key. Parents and riders understood why certain steps were taken. Every decision came with an explanation, and whenever possible, decisions were made together with parent and child.

Development cannot be confined to rigid formats. It requires trust, flexibility, and room to adjust when needed. With a clear direction, but without rigidity.

This way of working not only strengthened the program, but also made it truly embraced by those who matter most.

Continuing and Building Further

This winter confirmed that a structured approach with personal attention works.
That is why we will continue this program next year.

With the same guiding principles:

  • Development before performance

  • Clear guidance and structure

  • Space for enjoyment and growth

Final Thoughts

Finally, we believe this program has done more than just support riders. We hope it has awakened South Limburg and shown that youth development can be done differently: more consciously, purposefully, and from the ground up.

Especially in a region with such a unique and versatile training area, we still often lag behind the rest of the Netherlands in youth development. Not due to a lack of talent or possibilities, but because of missing structure, direction, and long-term vision.

This winter showed that it can be done differently. Investing in youth pays off when the focus is on development, rather than just short-term results.

We hope this program contributes to a broader movement, where youth-focused thinking and working becomes the norm in cycling in South Limburg. With attention, structured guidance, and the courage to innovate.

If this winter proved one thing, it’s that investing in youth — with personal guidance, clear structure, and vision — truly makes a difference.

Youngchampions® continues to build an environment where youth can develop sustainably in cycling.

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