What do you do when you get a double-secret-probation email invitation to attend a cyclocross clinic with Sven Nys, Sven Vanthourenhout and Katie Compton?
Naturally, you clear everything off your schedule and head to the Trek CXC Cup a day earlier than planned.

Thanks to a nominated hookup, Nate and Julie Phelps headed off to the one-hour clinic through a deluge of rain that would mean three things: riding with Belgians in the mud; dirty bikes; and dirty kits. But there was no question they’d be ready to go at the appointed time of 2:45.

Nys met the group of about 25 riders on the Trek Cup course and covered a wide range of topics from tire pressure to shouldering and barrier techniques. Both Nys and Vanthourenhout were approachable and kept things relaxed, creating an enjoyable learning atmosphere.

Racing line selection was covered as part of the clinic and Julie Phelps put it to good use in her races during the weekend, including a nice multi-person pass on Saturday over what was dubbed the “Sven” line at the clinic. It was great to see her use her newly gifted, Belgian-approved, racing line.

Nate Phelps disregarded some key advice from Nys (“Don’t follow other riders lines”) for several minutes while he followed the former world champion around a section of the course (luckily it was non-technical and he could hold on) for several minutes.

Oh, and Vanthourenhout took about 11 pounds of air pressure out of Nate’s tires.

When the hour was up, it was time to pre-ride the course without the coaching of the Belgians (though America pro Courtenay McFadden offered some sweet advice to Julie and Nate), wash bikes and strip out of wet, muddy clothing. You know, typical ‘cross kind of stuff.

The rest of the weekend included regular sightings of Telenet-Fidea riders like Ellen van Loy and Tom Meeusen; French national Champion Caroline Mani, American national champions Katie Compton, and Jeremy Powers, and other top riders from around the nation and world.

The Belgians – and Frenchman Steve Chainel – made for a fun weekend of race spectating. CX World Champion Wout van Aert took an impressive win on Sunday finishing to an impressive wall of cheers as he crossed the line in his rainbow jersey.

Hopefully the Belgians and other European riders had as much fun on their first stop of the three-race trip to the United States as we had watching them.