Two years ago, Christoph and Philip Roodhooft saved cyclocross rider Ryan Kamp's career when he abruptly found himself without a team. The brothers then built a one-man team around the young Dutchman, with sponsors Fenix, Alé, and Sidi. That project is likely coming to an end on December 31st, leaving the 25-year-old Kamp in a difficult spot once again.
The 2020 under-23 world champion checked off two goals in the past month: in Terralba, Italy, he improved his personal best result in a World Cup cross by finishing fourth, and the following week, he earned a podium finish for the first time in his career at a Belgian TV cross in Kortrijk, after a tussle with Michael Vanthourenhout.
Short-term solution
Yet, the painful reality is that Kamp will soon be without a team. Two years after the darkest period in his still young career — before the Roodhoofts took him in, when he had to ride for a time in a black jersey — he risks ending up in the same situation. “Of course, it’s on your mind. In some way, I can put it into perspective now. I try to focus on my races, and then we’ll see.”
Kamp remains calm in front of our camera. There might still be a solution in the coming weeks thanks to the Roodhoofts’ goodwill. “My contract ends on December 31st, but I’ve been given the option to continue under the same conditions until the end of the season (in February). However, if something else comes up, the team is open to that too. It’s a tough situation.”
Ryan Kamp in Flamanville – photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
Wider problem
Particularly because the playing field in cyclocross in 2025 is painfully limited. The Roodhooft brothers already house many cross riders in their teams, like Crelan-Corendon, Seven Racing, and Alpecin-Deceuninck, but their resources are not infinite. Kamp had to leave Jurgen Mettepenningen’s Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw team. Beyond that, the only genuine cyclocross teams left are the Baloise Glowi Lions and the merged Charles Liégois-Deschacht team around European champion Toon Aerts.
On the other hand, besides Kamp, other well-performing riders such as Toon Vandebosch and Amandine Fouquenet will soon be without contracts. “I’ve been riding pretty well in recent weeks, but at the moment there isn’t a single team open to talks with me. I hear the same story from several riders whose contracts are ending. It’s an unfortunate situation for cyclocross,” says Kamp.
“I read online that people say cyclocross is doing very well. But if you ask a number of riders, they think differently. The top is doing well, that’s true.”
One-man team
In the past, riders like Tom Meeusen and Vincent Baestaens resolved that difficult situation by securing sponsors themselves and building a one-man team. It’s not the easiest route, but it’s better than having to end your career. “That’s a tough one, there are many issues with the UCI and licenses. But it is an option I’m open to,” Kamp concludes.
Ryan Kamp| Year | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2024 |
