Although White raced a variety of disciplines growing up, cyclocross holds a special place in his heart. “I’ve always loved road racing, but my true passion for cycling came when I saw the mayhem of cyclocross for the first time,” said White. “There is no hiding in cyclocross. At its core, it’s the most honest form of bike racing. It’s a ton of fun because you always get to challenge yourself with different conditions, features, and skill sets.”
White’s career has allowed him to witness cyclocross culture worldwide. Although White sampled European racing as a junior, as an elite, he has made the commitment to do lengthy blocks in Europe. In fact, during the pandemic, when all North American racing was canceled, White spent the entire season abroad. His diligence was rewarded with a breakout 13th place at the Dendemonde World Cup during the 2020 “pandemic season.”
Reflecting on European cross, White explains: “Cyclocross requires a versatile and well-rounded athlete, and you can especially see that in Europe. The level is higher and deeper than in the US, and you are always having to challenge yourself to improve.”
Given White’s experience racing “on both sides of the pond,” we asked him to comment on the situation, “the health,” of cyclocross in the U.S. and Europe. “From what I see, there has been growing energy over the last couple years in US cyclocross,” said White. “We have a solid national series that provides an exciting storyline for the domestic calendar, we have multiple World Cup stops in the US, and eleven broadcasted events with an international audience just this season alone. Internationally, you have the ‘Big Three’ raising the level and profile of the sport. On top of all that, cyclocross still remains the most interactive discipline with fans and athletes.”