Crossing continents: Kate Seiler’s story in Europe’s international peloton

Every year, dozens of American and Australian riders spend their summers far from home, chasing Europe’s crowded race calendar. For smaller teams, these months are both a proving ground and a survival test. We spoke with U.S. rider Kate Seiler about her experiences on European roads.

Photography: Sander Steins

Every Northern Hemisphere summer, a wave of American and Australian riders packs their bags for Europe – cycling’s traditional heartland – where the racing never seems to slow down and the calendar is increasingly crowded. The Women’s WorldTour now stretches across ten months with nearly thirty top-tier events, most concentrated in the European spring-to-autumn block. For many, basing themselves in Girona flats or tucked-away Belgian villages isn’t just romantic; it’s a career necessity, embedding them in the rhythm of cobbles, climbs, and crosswinds.

But away from the spotlight of the biggest Classics and Grand Tours, another story unfolds: the steady rise of smaller teams and smaller races that act as the sport’s proving grounds. In the U.S., criteriums and regional road races – run on lean budgets and with rosters of just a handful of riders – serve as intense tactical classrooms. In Europe, 1.1 and 2.1-level events play a similar role, pitching ambitious Continentals and club teams against bigger-budget squads. These are the races where careers are tested, confidence is built and where the leap to the WorldTour begins.

More small teams now build extended European blocks into their schedules, bringing young talent across the Atlantic and Pacific to gain racing hardiness against deeper fields. Australian riders follow similar patterns, splitting their year between home and a European base. It’s a transoceanic talent pipeline: riders leaving behind familiar roads to live out of team service courses, learning the subtle tactics of European racing, and forging the resilience needed to thrive at cycling’s highest level.

In this landscape, where opportunity meets uncertainty and raw ambition meets seasoned European tactics, we zoom in on those making the leap. Kate Seiler (born 2002 in Louisville, Kentucky) is currently riding for the Belgian club team Carbonbike Giordana by Gen Z. Through her personal journey, we’ll explore how the experience of racing abroad shapes a rider’s skill set – and how the contrasts between U.S. and European racing are as much cultural as they are competitive.

At 23 years old, Kate Seiler has already lived the contrast between America’s small but spirited racing scene and Europe’s deep-rooted cycling culture. Her journey from weekend cyclocross races in Kentucky to the packed pelotons of Belgium is a story of family traditions, resilience, and discovering what it takes to belong on Europe’s roads.

For Seiler, cycling didn’t begin with race numbers or podiums – it started with simple rides to school. “I’d ride with my dad, and sometimes we’d stop at the coffee shop right next to my school,” she recalls. “It wasn’t about racing at first, just about being together on the bike.” The competitive side followed quickly. At nine years old, Seiler lined up for her first cyclocross races, again with her father by her side. “It became a real tradition every weekend… driving to races, spending time with my family, and meeting so many friends,” she says. “That’s really what got me hooked.”

Cyclocross would shape her not just as a rider, but as a person. “It’s such a special atmosphere,” she explains. “The junior team I raced with was fundamental in making me who I am. We had so much fun, but we also raced hard. It gave me a way into the sport without burning out. And honestly, the skills you learn in cyclocross carry over to everything. I think every rider should try different disciplines… it makes you better.”

The step from the U.S. to Europe brought a sharp contrast. “The first difference that stood out was the field sizes,” Seiler says. “In Belgium, every race I’ve done has had at least 50 people, sometimes way more. Back home, some races only have 10 starters. Even the bigger ones usually max out around 75. Racing against 120 riders instead of 50 completely changes the dynamic.”

The racing itself is different, too. “In the U.S., it’s mostly either hilly stage races or flat criteriums. In Europe, you get a much bigger variety, and there’s a race almost every day you can enter. The calendar in the U.S. just isn’t as long or as busy.”

And then there’s the travel. “Growing up in Kentucky, we’d drive two hours almost every weekend just to get to a race,” she says. “Now that I’ve been living in Colorado, I often have to fly. The professional calendar in the U.S. is so spread out that if you want to do everything, it takes a huge amount of money and time.”

For Seiler, perhaps the most striking difference lies not in the racing itself, but in the atmosphere surrounding it. “In Belgium, it blows me away that every race has so many fans who not only show up, but also really know the sport,” she says. “In the U.S., criteriums attract a lot of people, but it feels more like a town event than a cycling crowd. It’s still fun, but in Belgium the history runs so deep… it’s just part of the culture.”

Leaving the U.S. racing scene behind, Kate Seiler quickly discovered that Belgium’s roads demanded something entirely different. From aggressive cornering to international teammates and the grind of kermesse racing, her time in Europe has reshaped how she rides, trains, and thinks about the sport.

Adjusting to European racing meant stepping into a whole new rhythm. “The style here is very aggressive,” Seiler explains. “You have to be at the front and switched on all the time. That was a big adjustment for me at first, but it’s a style that really suits me. I’ve been able to adapt and even thrive in it.” What feels strange to many Americans, she observes, is the constant battle for position. “In the U.S., corners are taken smooth and fast. If you can’t carry speed, you won’t last. But in Belgium it’s different… you fight for the front into every corner, then sprint out of it, every single time. If you can’t handle that, you won’t make it.”

That aggressive style has brought out Seiler’s natural instincts. “I’ve never been great at group sprints,” she admits. “But I love attacking, I love breakaways, and I’m good at making the right selections.” Those instincts already paid off. In 2024, she won Vrasene (Belgium), breaking away in a group of three and holding it to the line. “That kind of racing really plays to my strengths,” she says. “Plus, my cornering and bike handling from the U.S. has transferred over really well. Sometimes I can even get a gap just by taking a few corners faster than others.”

Riding this year with Carbonbike Giordana by Gen Z, a Belgium-based club team with an international roster, has also accelerated her growth. “It’s been great meeting riders from all over Europe,” she says. “Everyone brings something different to the table, different ways of looking at a race. I’ve learned so much from my teammates already. Honestly, I think racing with new people is where you grow the most as a cyclist… you pick up new tactics and new ways to be better.”

Her weeks in Belgium have been a mix of racing, recovery, and discovery. “When I first arrived in May, I was racing almost every couple of days,” Kate Seiler explains. “In between, I’d do two to four hours of training to build into Baloise Ladies Tour. I even managed a long weekend in the Ardennes, which was so much fun. Lately, with more frequent races, training has taken a backseat to racing and recovering. I’ve used the kermesses as training… they’re such great practice and experience. And since I just graduated university and I’m not working right now, I have plenty of time on my hands. My days are pretty slow, so I explore different parts of Belgium, go to Ghent and Bruges, and do lots of coffee rides with my American friends here.”

When asked which moment has meant the most so far, Seiler doesn’t hesitate. “Winning Vrasene last year was huge. My parents were there… it was the first time they’d seen me race in Belgium… and it was also the first win for my team CCB p/b Levine Law Group (USA) here. That meant a lot.”

But she’s just as proud of the races that don’t show up in the results sheet. “I haven’t had a standout result this year, but I feel more confident than ever. I’m consistently in the front of races, making selections I never thought I could.” One memory, in particular, still makes her smile. “I completely forgot I got to race Tour de l’Avenir Femmes last year. I wasn’t anywhere in the competition, but just finishing it felt huge. Being selected in the first place was something I’ll always be proud of.”

Beyond results, Seiler’s journey is also about mindset – learning how to push through the hardest moments, building confidence, and keeping perspective in a sport that can be all-consuming. From leaning on teammates in the darkest races to drawing inspiration from friends and role models, she is shaping not only the rider she is today, but the one she hopes to become.

For Kate Seiler, the toughest moments in a race often come down to mindset – and teammates. “I can think of many, many moments in races that have been very tough,” she admits. “More times than not, my teammates are what get me through it. I love to be a workhorse for my team, so in moments that I’m struggling, I try to think of anything I can do that will benefit my teammates. I often find that I can work harder for my teammates than I can for myself, so when I’m struggling, thinking of them can often pull me out of a funk… and I end up doing better because of it.”

Confidence and consistency have been key areas of focus. “I think my biggest limiter in cycling can often be my mind,” she explains. “This season I think my confidence has increased more than ever. Even on tough days, I find that I can still be in the front and just do anything I can to stay there. In the past, if I got to the back, I would have a lot of trouble getting myself out of it. I think consistency follows confidence… when confidence grows, consistency of results grows too. Outside of cycling, I began seeing a therapist last year, which has really helped me become more aware of what I think about myself and how it plays a role in my performance.”

Seiler has also learned to navigate the pressure of social media. “I think I do a really good job of separating myself from other people and celebrating what they do instead of comparing myself to them. Social media can definitely be hard for people, especially if they’re lacking confidence in themselves. Every rider has their own trajectory, and one path in the sport doesn’t work for everybody.”

Looking ahead, her future in cycling is still open-ended. “I’m honestly not sure what will come next.” she admits. “I really love racing the kermesses here in Belgium, but also having the opportunity to race bigger races like the Baloise Ladies Tour and many of the 1.1’s. Currently, I’m looking for work back home in the U.S., hoping I will have time to race here again. But right now, after graduating from university, my life is a big question mark, and I am taking it month by month.”

Throughout her journey, Seiler has drawn inspiration from those around her. “For three years during my time at Colorado Mesa University, I lived with three of my best friends… Gwendalyn Gibson, Madigan Munro, and Ruby Ryan. They are amazing mountain bikers who inspired me so much. Having roommates and friends that work so hard made it easier to fight through tough school and training days, and times that I didn’t want to be riding,” she says. “Someone else that inspires my racing style and career path is Evie Richards. She’s a great influence for younger riders, showing that you can have a great life balance… spending a lot of time racing at a high level but also having fun and making the most of your life.”

Even seasoned cyclists needs time away from the bike, and for Kate Seiler, life outside racing is just as full of passion and curiosity as her time on the road – from outdoor adventures to cooking experiments and curated music playlists.

When asked about pre-race rituals, she laughs: “No, actually I don’t have any of them.” Instead, she channels her energy into outdoor adventures and hobbies. “I love to spend time outdoors… hiking, camping, swimming, all of it,” she shares. “I also really enjoy cooking and have been practicing a lot – I recently got very into making sourdough bread. When I’m in the States, I like to play pickleball with my friends or go on a hike and watch the sunset. I love to read, and sometimes I paint or do crafts as well.”

After a hard race, comfort food is a must. “When I’m in the U.S., I really love to eat Mexican food,” she says. “While here in Belgium, I go to our team sponsor, Sofré, and order a poké bowl or some yummy sweet potato fries.”

Music plays a big role in her pre-race routine. “Typically, two or more hours before the start of the race, I keep it pretty chill… some country or relaxing music to keep my mind off racing and my heart rate low. Maybe some Adele or Tyler Childers. Then within two hours of the race, I need something faster to get me really excited. Usually rap with Eminem and Drake, or some punk rock throwbacks from Flyleaf, Travis Barker, Rise Against, and Linkin Park. Maybe that’s my one pre-race ritual… the perfect playlist!”

Her interests stretch beyond sport, too. “I’m quite the environmental nerd,” she admits. “I studied environmental science in university and am really excited to begin working in the field one day.”

For now, Kate Seiler is learning how to ride both roads – the one through the peloton, and the one that will shape her life beyond it.

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