Team Winston Salem: Cyclocross Season
Dear Team and Friends,
It’s been an exceptional cyclocross season for Team Winston-Salem. From national podiums to muddy recoveries, Jules Van Kempen and Jen Malik have exemplified resilience, determination, and the true spirit of cross racing. As the season concludes, both riders leave behind a trail of impressive results and a renewed motivation heading into Pan Ams, Nationals, and upcoming international races.
Jules Van Kempen: Conquering the USCX Circuit
Jules kicked off his season at Go Cross in Roanoke, followed by races in Rochester, Baltimore, Waterloo, and across the USCX circuit. It’s been a series of fast, tactical battles; distinct from Europe’s more technical, muddy courses. He’s faced top national rivals and has consistently been in the mix from race start to finish.
“It’s definitely been pretty hot for most of it,” Jules said. “But it’s been really fun racing against the same group of top guys week after week. You get into battles with the same people, and that’s always exciting.”
After several top-five finishes, Jules claimed his first podium in Baltimore, edging out Kerry Werner and Tyler Clark in a thrilling last-lap battle. He followed up with second and third-place finishes at Trek Cup, ultimately finishing third overall in the USCX Series, a major career milestone.
“After the first couple weekends I was sitting fifth overall, and I didn’t think I could make up that gap. But then I had a really good weekend at Trek, second and third, and that launched me into third overall. That felt huge.”
Cincinnati: First UCI Win and Resilient Comebacks
At Cincinnati, Jules and Jen both made headlines, each in their own compelling ways.
For Jules, the weekend marked a major breakthrough. On Day One, he secured his first-ever C1 (one of the highest classifications of cyclocross races) victory, leading a tactical race from the front.
“It was my first time being first call-up, so I had a bit of a target on my back,” he said. “It was super fast and tactical, but I got a small gap coming out of the woods and was able to hold it to the line. I’ve been wanting that UCI win for a long time, it was really cool to finally get it.”
The next day, a crash early in the race left him in the back, but Jules fought through the mud, passing riders and finishing with another win, a perfect weekend.
Meanwhile, Jen demonstrated true grit. With a burden of race logistics in the scrappyness that is cyclocross racing, she still delivered a performance that inspired everyone.
“Oh, I love it! It was so good, finally!” she said after her first true mud race of the year. “The course was absurd, evolving every lap, and there were sections that were faster to run. It was everything I love about cyclocross.”
Despite limited resources and the wild weather, Jen raced smart, leaned on friends, and finished strongly in 8th and 11th, much to her and her family’s delight.
Home Race and Looking Ahead: The Zoe Clay Memorial GP
Our season culminated at the Zoe Clay Memorial GP weekend. The race is a heartfelt tribute to our dear friend Zoe, who passed away October 2023. The course, featuring her favorite elements like “Zoe’s Little Mountain” bridge and ducks along the course, was a beautiful homage.
The team gathered from all over to celebrate, starting with a team dinner Friday night, followed by a ride with the 0530 crew, a staple of Winston’s riding culture. Saturday at the Crossnore Children’s Home featured fierce competitions, including Jen’s victory over a talented field and Jules’s strong showing in the men’s pro race.
On Sunday, we hosted a memorial run, with local racers and team members covering nearly five kilometers of off-road terrain, honoring Zoe’s memory.
The main event saw Jen race against rising stars like Hadley Molnar. Despite flipping over the barriers, Jen pushed hard and ultimately took the win for Team Winston-Salem!
Jules faced a tougher challenge in the men’s race, weaving through the field and engaging in a tense finale with Cypress Gorey.
A fall in the last corner cost him the win in the final moments of the race, but he remains focused on future goals: Pan Ams, Nationals, and European World Cups, as he aims for World Championship qualification.
Looking Forward
Jules feels strong and motivated: “I’ve felt really strong this year,” Jules said. “Now it’s just about taking that next step forward.”
Meanwhile, Jen continues her season of growth, balancing work, travel, and racing with relentless resilience.