Godrie qualifies for the World Championships, but is excluded by strict standards of De Knegt/KNWU: "It's better in other countries"

We first spoke with Godrie in early December, just before the International Cyclocross Rucphen, as part of our comprehensive "Riders from the Region" series. Remarkably, three days after our talk, he secured an impressive fifteenth place in the snowy Val di Sole. Nearly two months later, this result became crucial for Godrie's chance to join Gerben de Knegt's World Championship team, as he needed another top-sixteen World Cup finish to qualify.

The selection process might seem a bit complex. The KNWU, the Dutch cycling federation, follows a unique set of criteria. The Netherlands is allowed to send up to eight riders to the World Championships in Tábor. However, only six riders, including names like Mathieu van der Poel, Pim Ronhaar, Joris Nieuwenhuis, Lars van der Haar, Ryan Kamp, and Corné van Kessel, were likely to be selected last week. The reason? The KNWU's annual selection guideline states that riders must finish in the top sixteen of a World Cup event twice to qualify for the World Championships.

And so, in Hoogerheide - traditionally the World Cup finale - it was all or nothing for Godrie, who was understandably frustrated by such a rule. "The race in Hoogerheide is my very last chance to prove that I want to and can compete in the World Championships," he says about four hours before the start of the West Brabant race. "The KNWU has set this selection norm of two top-sixteen finishes. I managed that in Val di Sole in December with a fifteenth place. It would be great if I could do it again in this final opportunity, although it's going to be very tough. This top-sixteen rule has been around for quite a while. I believe for the past five years it's been either one top-eight or two top-sixteen finishes. The KNWU makes an annual plan with all the ideas for the European and World Championships. So, it didn't come as a surprise. But I've been running into this for a number of years. It's a pity for riders like me that not all spots are filled, even though they could be."

But why does 'cyclo-cross country the Netherlands' adhere to such a strict norm? "In a way, it's understandable, as you need to add something substantial at a World Championship. But personally, it's very disappointing for me that they don't fill all the spots. So sometimes I have to choose to race a lot of World Cups, while with a bit more rest you could actually work towards another level." Slamming your fist on the table seems to mean starting a fight against insurmountable odds. "It's very hard to start something against it. Yet, I do think that the KNWU could offer more support for cyclo-cross. But on the other hand: they are also backed into a corner because they don't have the budget for it."

"Cyclo-cross is still not an Olympic sport and is not subsidized by NOC*NSF," he continues. "They really run into such issues, making it difficult for both camps. So I do think Dutch cyclo-cross can take a few steps forward. For example, there's a very strong generation of women, although some of them will eventually look at where they really want to earn their living. And then, for example, road racing is much more interesting. To keep cyclo-cross high on the agenda in the Netherlands, the KNWU really needs a larger budget. But that's out of our hands. The difference with Belgian Cycling is quite significant in that regard. I don't know if many other countries face the same kind of problems with cyclo-cross. But what I see suggests that it's better organized there. In the Netherlands, you wouldn't expect such a situation," he concludes, sounding the alarm at the same time.`

For Godrie's fans, Hoogerheide was more than just a regular race; it was packed with tension. Finishing 41st meant that Godrie wouldn't be traveling to the Czech Republic for the upcoming World Championships. Reflecting on the race, he told us, "It began with a couple of crashes right in front of me, which made it tough to get ahead. I had a rough start but managed to gain some ground in the first lap. However, after that effort, I pretty much ran out of steam. I realized I couldn't push any further and ended up stuck outside the top forty. My energy was drained in the first round, and from then on, it was just a long struggle."

Sadly, missing the World Championships means more than just lost points for Godrie. "It's also about losing a significant goal. Being part of TeamNL at a World Championship is an entire experience in itself, from exploring the course together to advising younger riders. Things like that." This isn't the first time Godrie has missed out on the world championships due to the selection rule. "In some seasons, it's been a real letdown, particularly when the championships were held on a course that suited me well. This year is no different. I have great memories of Tábor," he recalls, referring to his third place at the 2015 U23 World Championships. "Last year, the championships were in Hoogerheide, a course that I like. It's especially disappointing when you can't join, knowing there's an available spot but being held back by the selection criteria."

Within his team, Orange Babies Cycling Team, Godrie's predicament is a topic of discussion. "The juniors and U23 riders in our team are aware of my situation, which makes them realize they might face similar challenges. It's tough for those who aren’t at the top of the juniors or U23 categories to envision a future in the sport," he points out, highlighting a systemic issue.

In an unexpected turn of events on Sunday evening, national coach De Knegt announced that Hendrikx, who finished 21st at Hoogerheide and wasn't initially set to go to the World Championships, would now be part of the team. This deviation from the selection criteria came as a surprise and added to Godrie's frustration. "Gerben called me to explain that he was giving Mees a spot on the team. He believes Mees has been performing better than me lately and wants to give him a chance because of his youth. He’s eight years my junior, and Gerben sees that as a valid reason to give him the opportunity instead of me," Godrie shared with WielerFlits.

When asked if he thinks this justification is fair, Godrie responds, "That’s the coach's call. He's in charge." He reflects on Hendrix, who had shared his concerns about his future in the sport. "It's disappointing to know there's a spot for me, yet it's not being assigned. I feel like something has been taken from me, but I don't blame Gerben as it's beyond his control. The KNWU has limited financial resources. I’ve often felt this situation works against me. I mentioned this to Gerben, who reminded me that he gave me a chance years ago when I didn't meet the criteria, just as he’s doing now for Mees. Unfortunately, my age is a disadvantage in this case."