{"id":25026,"title":"Tot Ziens Ellen van Loy","description":"The 2023 Sluitingsprijs (Closing Prize) cyclocross at Oostmalle marks the end of Ellen van Loy\u2019s incredible cyclocross career. We say farewell and pay tribute to the Belgian star.","content":"

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

The 2023 Sluitingsprijs (Closing Prize) cyclocross at Oostmalle marks the end of Ellen van Loy\u2019s incredible cyclocross career. We pay tribute to the Belgian star.<\/p>

\"zbjoa0utxggprlce1xokvvagjxomxhglxncg5s2gqw107fnj.jpg\"In a previous article<\/a>, I described Ellen as the accidental cyclocross legend. When I interviewed her in 2021, she revealed that she only took up cycling to join her husband Tom on his pleasure rides. This eventually led to her riding cyclocross for the first time at the age of 28.<\/p>

\"3ugj2z0gyq8j4evl8quxrpy4lzvrtudtxordvuhgxskdc5mk.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>Despite combining full-time work as a carer for adults with Downs Syndrome, Dementia and Autism, Ellen reached the top echelons of the sport. She became, as Belgian cyclocross fans refer to the best riders, a \u201ctopper\u201d.<\/p>

Cyclocross Champion<\/h3>

Ellen wasn\u2019t a prolific winner but she was frequently on the podium and consistently battling for victory against full-time riders such as Sanne Cant.<\/p>

Had Ellen\u2019s career not coincided with that of the multiple Belgian cyclocross champion, she would have almost certainly won the national title herself.<\/p>

She had to be content with six silver medals in the Belgian national cyclocross championship. Beaten each time by her nemesis Sanne Cant.<\/p>

Crowned champion<\/p><\/blockquote>

At the end of the 2014-15 season, she was crowned champion of the Bpost Bank Trofee series, finished second in the UCI World Cup and was the third-ranked rider in the world.<\/p>

Ellen had five top-ten finishes at the World Championships including eighth and best Belgian at D\u00fcbendorf in 2020.<\/span><\/p>

\"a3wqzhanuluxjdagrzbt97asxix3hi8pv93byrkcy4hupdr3.jpg\"Ellen is a favourite with the fans<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

One of the most remarkable aspects of her cyclocross career is the sheer volume of races she has competed in.<\/span><\/p>

Nearly five hundred UCI cyclocross races<\/p><\/blockquote>

Over the past fourteen years, Ellen started nearly five hundred UCI cyclocross races, achieving a top twenty in 87% of them and failing to finish a mere six. In the 2016-17 season alone, she participated in nearly fifty races. This doesn\u2019t include any non-categorised events.<\/span><\/p>

UCI Cyclocross Victories<\/h3>

Her last UCI cyclocross race win was <\/span>at the 2018 GP Hasselt where she finished ahead of Denise Betsema and Sanne Cant. Ellen has also enjoyed victory in non-UCI National B cyclocross races. These are the highest standard in Belgium below the UCI C2 level.<\/p>

She\u2019s achieved over thirty top-ten places in UCI World Cup races. Her best World Cup result was second at Ligni\u00e8res-en-Berry in 2016 just twenty-one seconds behind, yes you guessed it, Sanne Cant.<\/span><\/p>

\"vzabzsf6bmujfcywyt9lf2vp1rmqsfwca3vo9az9gmjhzyff.jpg\"Riding for the Sven Nys team<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Ellen enjoyed the pleasure of victory in nine UCI cyclocross races. Her first came almost exactly ten years ago at Valkenburg where she took the win ahead of Dutch rider Sabrina Stultiens and Britain\u2019s Helen Wyman.<\/p>

Transformation of Women\u2019s Cyclocross<\/h3>

The results from that race are worth noting. Although a Dutch rider placed second in the race, overall it was very different from the current Dutch domination. Dutch girls were more notable for filling the last six places.<\/p>

Dutch riders winning all the women\u2019s races are not the only change Ellen has seen. Originally, women\u2019s races were only shown on TV as brief highlights along with the under-23 men and juniors.<\/p>

Equal prize money was considered an unrealistic dream<\/p><\/blockquote>

The number of spectators too was significantly lower than for the men\u2019s race. Equal prize money was considered an unrealistic dream.<\/p>

Then something simple happened that had a major impact on women\u2019s cyclocross. The order of the races was changed so that women would ride just before the elite men and their races were broadcast in full.<\/p>

\"c0dsjbxschmyculnyymm719bbpd4hhyz6yjojyi6jthlvqze.jpg\"Leading the field at the Belgian championship<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

As a consequence, interest inside and outside Belgium grew. As cycling fans realised that women\u2019s cyclocross was often more exciting than men\u2019s, viewing figures surged. The number of spectators increased and cyclocross as a profession for women became a more realistic proposition.<\/p>

It\u2019s easy to underestimate Ellen\u2019s part in the transformation. Obviously, she was one of the riders during this period but I think her contribution has been important. To be successful in attracting an audience, sports need real characters that fans can relate to.<\/p>

Popular Rider<\/h3>

Ellen is a popular and visible rider with the viewing Belgian public. It\u2019s not because she\u2019s courted popularity. She\u2019s just been herself. She\u2019s not afraid to express her opinion, has a great sense of humour, treats all as equals and is very approachable.<\/p>