{"id":14683,"title":"Millie Couzens","description":"From car parks to Crelan-IKO. The meteoric rise of British cyclocross star Millie Couzens.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

From car parks to Crelan-IKO. The meteoric rise of British cyclocross star Millie Couzens.<\/p>

Millie Couzens' introduction to organised cycling was riding around a car park on a Saturday morning. She'd only turned up because her friend's dad had arranged the session. Yet within a few years, she would finish a sensational fourth and best Briton at the Junior World Cyclocross Championships.\"\"
Image credit: <\/em>Paul Paxford<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Her fourth place at the inaugural Junior World Cyclocross Championships, held at D\u00fcbendorf was a superb demonstration of honed skill and raw power. A remarkable achievement as, compared to the favourites, she'd only limited international experience. She didn't allow the immense pressure of the occasion to overcome her.<\/p>

If she'd not expected cycling to become an important part of her life, she'd certainly never expected to sign for a team owned by two of the sports major power brokers. Shortly after winning her first elite UCI cyclocross event at Cyclopark, I sat down with Millie to talk about her meteoric rise through the ranks and signing for the Crelan-IKO team.<\/p>

Somewhere to meet friends<\/h3>

When I remind Millie that her first cyclocross race was in December 2012, she seems surprised. \"Where was that?\", she asks. It was a local league event at Hillingdon, West London when she was still only eight. That she doesn't recall those early races is no surprise. Cycling was just something to do and somewhere to meet friends. Her family had no particular interest in cycling and she dabbled in many sports. It was a while before she committed to the sport and started to demonstrate her dogged tenacity and willpower.<\/p>

It's touching and reflects her attitude to sport, that Millie's most memorable and cherished cycling moment was a win for someone else. She formed part of the GB team that rode in support of Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt at the Junior World Road Race Championships in Flanders. Millie visibly glows as she recalls the team spirit, the camaraderie and the achievement of a shared goal. Cycling demands great sacrifice from its competitors, often for the benefit of others.<\/p>

Phenomenon<\/h3>

By the 2016-17 season, she'd become a mini-cyclocross phenomenon. Dominating the local leagues and finishing runner-up in the under 14 National Championships. The following year she took her first National Championships win as an under-16.\"\"
Image credit: <\/em>Paul Paxford<\/em><\/a><\/p>

As if to make up for her initial reluctance to embrace cycling, she's thrown herself into cyclocross, road racing, track and mountain biking, winning National Championship medals in all disciplines. She epitomises someone who is prepared to take on new challenges and is only satisfied when her hard work results in being amongst the very best.<\/p>

In the summer of this year, she added the Junior Road Race Championships to her growling list of accolades. Her numerous attempts to break the race apart were unsuccessful and the title was decided in a mass charge for the finish line. Millie proved to be the strongest. Delivering a powerful sprint on the uphill finish she surged ahead of the rest to take the win.<\/p>

2019-20 season<\/h3>

If Millie's success prior to 2019 had been notable, she confirmed her ability the following season. As well as experiencing her first taste of World Cup cyclocross at Tabor and Koksijde, she tackled the fabled Koppenbercross with its unforgiving cobbled climb and notorious descents. Despite her relative inexperience at elite international cyclocross, a stunning 14th place was the perfect way to celebrate her sixteenth birthday.<\/p>

She rounded out the year by winning the cyclocross Junior National Championships and achieving that headline-grabbing fourth place at the D\u00fcbendorf World Championships. Finishing behind Millie at D\u00fcbendorf was the Dutch rider Fem van Empel. Now considered one of the stars of elite women's cyclocross.<\/p>

Millie's focus on her studies and the restrictions faced by British-based riders as a result of Covid has limited her racing. Fortunately, time is on her side and she possesses the talent and determination to fully realise her potential.<\/p>

Crelan-IKO calling<\/h3>

Her result at the World Championships not only generated interest at home amongst British cycling fans, but it had created ripples abroad too. Amongst the many congratulatory messages she received was one from Philip Roodhooft. Further messages from him led to direct talks about her future plans.\"\"
Image credit: <\/em>Paul Paxford<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Philip, along with his brother Christoph owns three UCI cyclocross teams (Alpecin-Fenix, IKO-Crelan and 777). In addition, they own two UCI road teams (Alpecin-Fenix and Plantur-Pura). Seven of the top twenty elite women cyclocross racers ride for their teams.<\/p>

They've managed major cycling superstars including Niels Albert, Mathieu van der Poel, Tim Merlier, Sanne Cant and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado.<\/p>

When the Roodhoofts start enquiring about your career and future plans, you've made your mark. Discussions moved at a pace and soon they asked if Millie would consider riding for their development team Crelan-IKO. It was an offer she was unable to refuse.<\/p>

Long-term investment<\/h3>

I was interested to understand the Roodhoofts' expectations of Millie and the relationship she currently has with the team, given she is UK based. They are clearly thinking of a long-term future for her. In September she signed a four-year deal with the team and is now paid a retainer.<\/p>

Aspire and achieve<\/p><\/blockquote>

The brothers are content that she continues to focus on her A levels and ride the races she wants to. She currently attends the Bicester School, whose motto is appropriately \"Aspire and achieve\", where she is studying Mathematics, Physics and Biology.<\/p>

If she wanted to, she could receive support from one of the IKO Crelan coaches but at present Millie continues to be coached by British Cycling's Emma Trott. The Crelan-IKO team provide her with three Stevens cyclocross bikes and a road bike as well as an income.<\/p>

Obviously, they can't provide logistical support when she's based in the UK. Dad and the local bike shop carry out repairs and servicing. One potential issue is that the very beautiful Stevens Bikes are not sold in the UK but so far she's not had to contend with any problems.\"\"
Image credit: <\/em>Paul Paxford<\/em><\/a><\/p>

When she's racing on the continent Crelan-IKO provides full back up including the use of a team camper van and mechanics. Millie prefers to share the camper with a teammate. Not only is it more sociable but it helps her integrate into the team.<\/p>

She's attended training sessions with her new team. Already this has led to improvements in her technique riding in the sand. British riders, due to limited experience, struggle to ride the sand traps of Belgian crosses. By following and testing herself against her more experienced teammates she has acquired new skills.<\/p>

The future<\/h3>

Millie has only been able to ride a limited cyclocross season for the last two years. Covid decimated domestic racing in the UK and as a junior was unable to travel to race in Europe. Although she's had a limited race programme this season, it includes a win and a second place in UCI C2 events, 29th in the famous sand of Zonhoven and ninth at the European Championships.<\/p>

Once she's taken her final A-level exams next summer, she intends to commit to living and racing in Belgium. She'll look forward to no longer having to balance studying and training. At this time of the year, it's a particular challenge as school days last from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm, providing little daylight for training.<\/p>

Millie, like all A-level students, has found the amount of work has really ramped up this year. Her school, she says, has been very supportive of her cycling career. Providing some flexibility over the hours she attends and granting time off for races.<\/p>

Plantur-Pura<\/h3>

The plan is to race on the road with the Roodhooft brothers' Plantur-Pura team. It brings together female riders from across their cyclocross teams to enable them to race together. Plantur, which promotes hair growth, is the sister brand to Alpecin, sponsors of Mathieu van der Poel's Alpecin-Fenix team.<\/p>

Millie is unsure which types of road races will suit her. Prior to becoming a junior, she was limited to circuit races, apart from infrequent races abroad, and then Covid severely restricted the amount of racing in the UK. The reigning Junior National Road Race Champion will join Plantur-Pura at the bottom of a steep learning curve.\"\"
Image credit: <\/em>Paul Paxford<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Visa<\/h3>

When Millie makes the move to Belgium, she can stay in the Crelan-IKO team house. Whilst accommodation won't be a problem, her ability to stay in Belgium will be. Since the UK left the European Union in 2020, UK residents can only stay in the EU for up to 90 days at a time.<\/p>

Millie was only twelve when the referendum on EU membership was held in the UK. Little could she have realised that the outcome would have such a potential effect on her future. Other UK riders, based in Belgium, are currently struggling with the issue. Doubtless, the Roodhooft brothers have a plan for this too.<\/p>

Our thanks to Millie for her time.<\/p>

30 Dec 2021, Tim Costello.<\/p>

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