Curtis White: Intelligentsia Cup Crit Boi
A little about crit racing and a lot about 'cross after 10 days of racing in Chicagoland
With the trend toward athletes trying their hand at becoming gravel bois during the summer, Curtis White decided to kick it old school by taking the tried and true route of being a crit boi. White has been racing criteriums this summer with Best Buddies, and last week he was in the Chicagoland area for the 10-day Intelligentsia Cup.
White spotted me at the start of the series-opener in West Dundee and said something to the effect of, “Fancy seeing you here.” “I got lost. What am I doing at a crit??” was my response. More accurately, I recently moved back home to Chicago and what else was I going to do on a Friday night?
But even more accurately, White is significantly less lost on the crit scene than myself. White finished the series in 8th overall and took home a win in Lombard on July 26.
I chatted with White after last Sunday’s finale in Chicago. We talked a little bit about crits and a lot about the coming ‘cross season. Oh yeah, and he managed to snag a mid-interview cupcake as well.
Curtis White: Crit Boi Interview
Zach Schuster: You've done Holy Week, you've done Kerstperiode, how did the Intelli Cup compare to those guys?
Curtis White: The July Kerstperiode? It's nice because this is the time of the year you see a lot 'cross guys really ramp it up. You see it over in Europe. I believe today marked the last day of the Tour of Alsace, which is a big race for a lot of the cyclocrossers. Then you saw Lance Haidet here. It's that part of the season where we're really ramping it up. This last month I got, I believe, 15 race days. It's been a pretty intense period. I enjoyed the racing here. It was my first time at Intelligentsia. I was able to come away with a win, which I am very happy about.
Zach Schuster: I was a little disappointed you picked a day I couldn't make it. I was at work. You have to plan that better next year.
Curtis White: I'll try my best next year. Honestly, right now the level is pretty high. Hats off to the people behind these teams that are really running clean programs. They're able to support their riders and the riders are able to step it up. Every day has been really exciting. It seems like every day, we haven't had the same winner twice.
Zach Schuster: Yeah, it's been all over the place with lots of different guys winning.
Curtis White: We have so many guys who are capable of winning, so you definitely need that luck factor for these races. For me, I know how to train hard. I've been able to spend a lot of time at home preparing for the season, but I need speed in the legs, and that's what the gravel scene might not really give you; that real high-end intensity and speed. I was very happy to come back to the crit scene and be on a program that dedicates itself to that part of the sport.
Zach Schuster: You stole my question. I was going to say, a lot of guys are turning into gravel bois, but you decided to keep it traditional with being a crit boi. So what are some of the other benefits of doing this? I always thought that crits seem like they're a good mix for 'cross.
Curtis White: It's like motor pacing with a lot of sprints when you have some really good guys. There's the technical factor to it too. I was lucky enough to not crash; it's always a risk we take. Just getting that speed, the explosivity, the power is really good. The race I won in Lombard I set a 1-minute power record from the back side to the finish. It was my best 1-minute power in competition. It's something you don't always see in crits, so I was really happy to get that.
Again, that's not something you see in gravel racing either. I think there are benefits to gravel racing, but for something like cyclocross, you need that high end. For me to get to that top-ten level at the World Cup, which is my goal, that's what I need.
Zach Schuster: So what tire pressure were you running?
Curtis White: Well I flatted on the back side today, so I came across the line at about 20 psi.
Zach Schuster: Typically what are you running? We always talk about it in 'cross, but I've learned it's more of a thing than I thought in crit racing.
Curtis White: We were running 28mm tires, which is wider than what I grew up racing on, but I'm running 70 psi, which is lower than I grew up with. It's a good mix, for me being a bigger guy, of having that traction around the corners and being able to minimize the braking as much as I can.
Zach Schuster: We chatted a little bit last Friday, and you said you're all-in on 'cross. How did you end up making that decision? I mean, I kind of look at your power profile, and I'm like Curtis could be a pretty good crit racer. You could be a crit boi full time.
Curtis White: That's where my heart is. It's the scene I grew up in. It's what I love doing. I've thought a lot about where I want to be in the sport, how I want to give back to it, and how much time I have left in the sport. I'm coming up on 27; I'm still a young guy, but there's a bit more pressure.
For me, it's always been about performance; I want to compete at the highest level I can. I am a very results-driven person, and the door is still open for me to compete at a very high World Cup level. I don't know how much longer that door is open, but while I have this gift, that's what I'm pursuing.
[Aside] Are those up for grabs? *Takes a cupcake* Thank you very much.
Where were we? For the next three years, the door is open for me to be at a really good level at the World Cups. I've been able to really hone my cyclocross skills, and that's what I want to be doing. I know there's a lot of discussion about where cyclocross is in the U.S., and I think we have a unique opportunity with the USCX this year. I want to be a part of that scene, and I want to be one of the athletes promoting our scene to the best of my ability. I want to continue at that level, continue going to Europe, and continue competing at Worlds.
Zach Schuster: I don't even have to ask questions. You just talk and answer everything I want to ask. I'll jump right to that one then. Kerry is doing a partial cyclocross season. I just heard Lance is doing a partial cyclocross season. We've got the USCX, we've got a couple of World Cups. What are your thoughts about what we need to do?
Curtis White: What I need to do?
Zach Schuster: No, we, American cyclocross. What are you thinking, what are you hoping for?
Curtis White: Zach, I think you need to be stirring up as much controversy as possible. I'll start it off right now; let's make something up about Eric Brunner.
Zach Schuster: That was another of my questions, dude. You and Kerry, 2019 and 2021, you guys were kind of the odd couple. He's more of a finesse rider, you're more of a power rider, but I look at Brunner, and I think you're very similar. Very powerful dudes. Is that going to change your mentality? I think you guys are going to be nemesi for the next few years. Does that change your approach at all?
Curtis White: I just need to keep preparing the best I know how to. Recognizing what my strengths and weaknesses are. A part of why I wanted to be racing more this summer with Best Buddies was to get that really intense period of racing through June, July, and August. Like I said, in the last 31 days, I've had 15 race days. And I was able to spend 10 days at altitude. I think all of that will translate really well to later season fitness.
Something I saw with Brunner and Gage [Hecht] is they came off a good race period and then they were able to rest hard and come into the season a little bit more gradual. Their peaks were still really high. I spent more time at home. I was able to train very consistently, which is something I am very proud of, but it was too gradual and too consistent. I need that higher peak and deeper valley. For me, this spring and summer were about being a part of a good program with good camaraderie but also having that really high peak. I'm looking forward to a rest for the next week. I'm coaching two camps--Adam Myerson's Cycle-Smart camp and Geoff Proctor's Euro Cross Academy up in Vermont, and then I'm full-on for cyclocross. I'll jump into the ACC race in Indianapolis at the end of August and that will be the last tune-up.
Zach Schuster: Are you going to be at GO Cross?
Curtis White: Absolutely. For me, the USCX is a goal. I'm really happy there's no conflict with the World Cups this year. There's more of an incentive to pursue that as a goal. All those races are C1s. From what I see on the calendar, we have six C1s in the U.S.
Zach Schuster: I think it's a really nice calendar this year. We've got a race in November that's a target race, and then we'll go into Nats and then Europe. It seems like it's perfectly teed up to be good.
Curtis White: Absolutely. I'm really looking forward to the season. I'm kicking off my season at the GP of Beverly the week before Roanoke. It's a local race in my town; the promoter of Gloucester puts it on. It's an awesome event, and my family and friends will be there. It's a good way for me to start off my cyclocross season.
Zach Schuster: I was looking through my photos, and I saw the one from Day 2 of Charm City at the barriers in the last lap. Have you been working on the planks yet?
Curtis White: I have been. I have been.
Zach Schuster: That cost you that race.
Curtis White: It's cost me other races as well, especially the races in Europe at the World Cup level. They're not backing down from the 40 cm barriers. If my goal is to be at a top 10 level, every single guy in the top 10 or 15 is bunny hopping full stick. It's no longer an option. It's something I am training, and I am trying my best to get to that level.
You've got to be uncomfortable to improve.
Zach Schuster: I look at last season, after GO Cross it was like, Oh man, Curtis is unbeatable. Then it seemed like you lulled, Nationals was a low point, but you finished on a real high point at Worlds. My last interview in my phone was with you at Fayetteville. What are you taking from last year and trying to bring into this year?
Curtis White: I think last year was one of my most consistent seasons ever. Which is great, because I had really good depth, I spent that spring and summer getting a lot of volume in, which paid dividends. I'm still benefitting from that now. I'm comfortable pushing big hours and volume as well as getting the sharper, more intense efforts in.
But that's been a big topic with me and my coach. How do we gauge the progression of the season? Yes, I want to be winning these C1s and perform well in the USCX; it's something my sponsors are going to be looking for, and I want to be able to win those because I like winning and performing well.
But Nationals is that one race. It's something I've really wanted to win for a long, long time.
Zach Schuster: You finally admitted it! You kind of slow-roll that every season. You finally admitted it.
Curtis White: I always try to take the pressure off, saying 'Oh, it's just one race.' It's one of those things where I want to win that race. There's no point in getting around that question. I think the last three Nationals I've finished 2nd. I made a comment to you, I don't know how much more fking motivation I need.
Zach Schuster: You did say that.
Curtis White: It's something I'm very motivated for. I want to perform there. But also, I think if I'm able to be at a top 10 World Cup level, then that's the level I need to be at for Nationals.
Zach Schuster: You said something interesting last Friday while we were just chatting. You brought up your age, and I said it's unfortunate you're the same age as Logan Owen because otherwise we'd be talking about Curtis White, 17-time national champion or something, and you said that you would have quit the sport if you had won that much at a young age. Can you elaborate on that?
Curtis White: Being in a very competitive field ... I don't like losing … but I think that's something that has served me well in my life and in my career. I don't know if I would have quit the sport, but if I was more dominant when I was younger, I could see myself being far more complacent with where I am.
You see a lot of athletes who come into their Junior years, they're very talented, they're dominant, and then they're out of the sport. To always be challenged, to have someone to look up to who's beat you in those younger years, in essence, that's kind of a gift. You want to get the most out of what you're doing, and when you have someone who's constantly pushing you, that's really cool.
I didn't know I would say this, but thanks Logan. Thanks to Hyde, Powers, everyone who has kicked my ass over the years because it has motivated me to be a better athlete and hone in on my process.
That idea of never being complacent with where you are and always looking for what the next thing is, what can I improve on? It's always been there for me.
Zach Schuster: And there's always the Euros. Even if you're the American champ, those guys are still there. I think both you and Brunner benefit from that. Eric's been kind of overlooked his whole career, and I think even now people are like, Well what about Eric Brunner? I don't know, he's pretty good.
Curtis White: He is pretty good. I've seen some of his rides. He doesn't race a lot, but he's had some really nice rides. I saw he was third at Mountain Bike Nationals against a very good field. I'm curious to see where he's at. I hope he's able to race more than he has been. I think those week-in, week-out battles will serve both of us well as athletes, but it will also serve our scene well. To showcase those battles every week.
Zach Schuster: I wish in 2019 we had the USCX. I will always remember that season. It was just the best thing going in cyclocross that year.
Curtis White: I'm not counting Kerry out. I saw his schedule, and I'm bummed it doesn't include more cyclocross. I certainly understand it, and he's able to do some cool things on the dirt in gravel, but I think for those races he'll be around, he'll be around to animate. He's still going to show up ready to rip some legs.
Zach Schuster: Have you been on Cannondale for over half your life?
Curtis White: Nine seasons. My first year as a U23 I signed with Cannondale.
Zach Schuster: I was assuming you were on it since you were like 14.
Curtis White: I never went through their devo program. Emma went through their devo program, but I was very fortunate to be a part of that structure for nine seasons. That was my entire pro career up to this point for cyclocross. I think I've said this before, but nothing but gratitude and appreciation for those opportunities. To spend nine years with a brand, as a job, it's something that really molds you as a person. Everyone who was involved with that program was a very special part of my life. But I'm really looking forward to the next chapter.
Zach Schuster: Can you at least wear bright green? Can you bring back the bright green? Is it going to be weird?
Curtis White: It will be weird not having that kind of green. Beyond what my plans are team-wise, at this moment I'm not able to share that.
Zach Schuster: In general, is it going to be weird not racing as part of that program?
Curtis White: Yeah, when you're transitioning to a new team or new program, you have to get used to a new way of operating. Things are in the van in a different place. Mechanics operate differently. You need to have that working relationship. You're more clued into who you're working with. There were a lot of times with Gary Wolff, Mike Berry, and Stu Thorne where we didn't have to speak about every little thing we had to do. We had a really good process. There's going to be some effort dialing in communication, routines, process, getting used to working with new people. That's something I'm really looking forward to.
Zach Schuster: Cool man, I'll let you get back to your cupcake. I appreciate your time.
Curtis White: Yeah, that was an absolute snipe.
Zach Schuster: The cupcake?
Curtis White: Oh my gosh, yeah.
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Curtis is such a classy guy, he's always got a thoughtful answer to the dumb questions I've asked him at races. Glad he's still going to be around a bunch!