Paul Burgoine writes Helen Wyman (Kona) finished second to Sanne Cant (BKCP) in the final Superprestige race of the season in Middelkerke
![]() |
Paul interview Helen and started by asking how she felt the race went? “Yeah, it was good. I’m a bit tired now as I’ve done a lot of racing and travelling so it does catch up with you eventually but yeah. The sand section was where the race was won and lost which seemed ridiculous, because it was such a short section and every time I rode it I either got a gap or caught back up to Sanne, and the one time I didn’t ride it, she rode away from me. So I’m happy. Sanne rode a good race and came back from a crash to win”.
I asked Helen to reflect on the past season and how she felt it had gone. “I’ve had an awesome season, the best ever… European Champion, won Koppenburg Cross again and I’ve won fifteen other races and twenty five or so podiums so it’s great and I still have four races leftâ€.
You are guaranteed second place in the UCI ranking behind Marianne Vos and the GB women’s team will finish top of the rankings, how do you feel about that?
“Well, that doesn’t really mean anything for me. Being number one nation doesn’t mean anything in terms of money or anything but it’s impressive to know we have achieved that status as a country.”
“It’s not really due to me as it’s Nikki Harris (Telenet-Fidea) and Gabby Day (Rapha-Focus) because you have to have three people that count. Nikki has been consistent for quite a few seasons, but this year Gabby has really raised her game so it’s down to her points that we have beat the Dutchâ€.
Do you see any other girls that are emerging from the ranks? “Not currently. There are some junior girls coming through and some youth riders that will be becoming elite just for the fact that they are turning seventeen, so some of them could be good. I’m afraid I don’t know too much about the English scene but a lot of girls come out here for races this year so that’s good to see them leaving England and gaining valuable experienceâ€.
How do you feel about the rise of interest of cyclo-cross in the USA. Do you think they could host a World Cup event?
“They could easily do a World Cup. They have already proved they can put on a top event and with great success, everyone who raced there in Louisville said it was one of the most awesome races in terms of spectators. They said the whole crowd cheered for them.”
“The crowds were amazing and I have never had so many people cheer for me the entire way around a race and Marianne Vos said the same so it’s not just me they were cheering for just because I race there. They were cheering for everybody the whole way round. It was a very exciting race, the atmosphere was outstanding the course was fantastic and they made the correct decision with moving it forward a day because the following day the course was totally flooded.”
“But you can’t have a World Championships in America every year but they should definitely be considered in the future and I don’t see why they shouldn’t have a World Cupâ€.
How do you think racing in America could work for the European based riders? “It would have to be at the beginning of the season. You couldn’t race there and then go straight in to a World Cup event in Europe the week after. I don’t think the end of season would work either. But I think they are looking at their options.”
“The opportunity is there though, the countries interest in Cyclo Cross is growing and the quality of the riders there is also good. Also the equality for men and women is in place and that must be good thing. I think they should be rewarded with a World Cup event for their effortsâ€.
Is there equal prize money for men and women in all American Cross races? “The majority of them do. I think about 90% have equal prize money for the first three placesâ€.
I was shocked to see that the Superprestige race didn’t even have the Women’s start list on the web site and womens race in the morning before the juniors and Under 23’s.
“I know, the UCI are definitely looking into different options and hopefully that will mean the women’s race not being four hours before the Men’s Elite race so we don’t get anyone watching.”
“In terms of prize money it’s a slow progress but I’m sure they will get there, and the UCI have to lead the way on this. Yhey need to say this is what you must provide or you can’t have a raceâ€.
With the end of the season looming what are your plans for the summer? “It will be three weeks without a bike and a holiday, then I will probably do ten days of racing just for fun nothing to serious ‘it’s all about cross for me’”
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 4
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 3
- Crit Result: Velo29 Winter Series 3
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League #4
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (LVVP #13)
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (Hillingdon #6)
- CX Result: NWCCA CX League Round 9
- CX Result: London/SE CX League Rd 10
- CX Result: Wessex CX League Rd 13
- CX Result: Eastern Cyclo-Cross League 11
- CX Result: East Kent CX League 5
- British Track Championships: Day 3 Report
- Track Results: British Track Championhip Results (para)
- Track Results: British Track Championship Results (M)
- Track Result: British Track Championships Results (W)
- British Track Championships: Day 2 Report
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- Team Feature: Sam Watson’s Journey to WorldTour
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- 2022/2023 National Trophy Cyclocross Series Final Standings
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 7
- CX Result: Wessex CX League, Rd 12
- CX Result: Eastern Region CX League Rd 10
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LVYCC Winter Races 1
Other News on VeloUK
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
- Event News: Midlands handicap league returns in 2023
- News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up
- Race Dates: Track Events 2023
- News: Santini Cycling UK
- News: Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Report
- Events: Velo Club St Raphael Time Trial
- Startlist: British Cyclocross Championships 2023
- BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023
- News: Brother UK Continues to Sponsor Cycling
- Dave Rayner Fund Supported Riders
- Event news: British Team Cup
- National Trophy: Final Round, Cyclopark
- News: Pedal Club December Lunch Report
- Team News: Velo Bavarian Race Team 2023
- 2023 British teams – Richardson’s Trek
- Team News: 26th Year for Arctic-Aircon RT
- Event News: British Masters RR Champs
- News: West Midlands RR Calendar
- Team News: New cycling team in Central Region
- News: UCI World Masters Track Championships
- 2023: National Under 23, Youth & Junior Road Series
- National Trophy Cyclocross Round 5: Startlist
- News: 2023 British National Road Series
- New Bikes! Ribble’s Reynolds 725 (Gravel bike)