Season 1, Episode 8: Michael van den Ham, Part One: Previewing The World Cyclocross Championships with Canada's National Team Coach!
On this episode of the pedalcast, we sit down with Michael van den Ham, head coach of the Canadian National Cyclo-cross Team and one of the country’s most accomplished off-road cyclists. Originally from Brandon, Manitoba, Michael brings a rare blend of elite racing experience and coaching perspective as we preview the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in the Netherlands.
Michael shares his insights on the team and the course, as we get the insider's look on the eve of the championships!
Part two, coming soon, will go deeper into Michael’s own cycling journey — from national titles and World Championship starts to his transition into coaching and shaping the next generation of Canadian riders.
Guests
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Michael van den Ham
Michael van den Ham is one of Canada’s most accomplished off-road cyclists — a multiple-time Canadian cyclo-cross national champion and a veteran of eight UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. Growing up on a grain farm in Brandon, Manitoba, Michael’s passion for bikes began early and led him from his first win at age 17 to a long career racing cyclo-cross, gravel, and mountain bikes across North America and Europe.
While cyclo-cross has been his specialty, Michael has also thrived on gravel, including overall wins and stage victories at major events like the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder.
After stepping back from full-time professional cyclo-cross competition, he shifted into coaching and athlete development — working with Cycling Canada’s national cyclo-cross program and helping riders of all levels through his work with Cycle-Smart, where he’s both a coach and a longtime mentee of elite trainers.
Now based in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Michael combines elite racing experience with a deep commitment to mentorship, community, and growing Canadian cycling.