LugHugger said:
A bit harsh but I've been saying the same thing since last September.
Maybe if you ask Euro cx fans which US rider they respect and you'll get one name: Page.
It is true, Page is by and large the biggest American name in Europe. He's earned respect here with fans through many years of racing and preserverence.
But I would disagree he is the only US rider they respect (ok, yes the old school Merckx era guys would maybe say that, but then again they only respect the winner and no one else). Power and Johnson have made in-roads in Europe, they are respected, but not at the same level.
I'm looking forward to the coming cross season. I've got a small project in the works which (if the funding comes through) would help establish a small team for English speaking (US, Canada, Great Briton) riders to come and develop in Europe.
The non-traditional cross countries have talent, we just need to find a way to help develop that talent. With the explosion of cyclocross in the last 5 years in the US, there is a whole crop of young riders who have been racing cyclocross not just for fun, but competitively and building the needed skill-set base to take their career to the top level.
Gregg