At just 23 years old, Eli Iserbyt races with the confidence, skills, and palmares of a seasoned pro. His skills were on display at the 2021 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Waterloo, where he rode away from the field to win the elite race.
The Belgian ‘cross rider was the 2017-18 U23 European and world cyclocross champ, and he’s currently the European elite men’s cyclocross champ. He’s been racing Ridley bikes for more than half a decade, and along the way has picked up a few custom bikes from the Belgian brand.
Here is the Ridley X-Night that Iserbyt is riding for the 2021-22 ‘cross season.
The Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal team issue Ridley bikes are black, so Iserbyt’s blue-on-blue custom paint scheme is noticable.
The colors of the European ‘cross champ.
That Deda aero road bar held in place by a Deda stem looks all business.
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 is a go-to for many European ’cross riders, not just roadies.
This 170mm 46/39 Shimano Dura-Ace crank has already seen some action.
A threaded bottom bracket is usually a better bet than a press-fit option for cyclocross.
Seatstay clearance on the Ridley X-Night.
Iserbyt is 5’5″ (165cm), and Ridely manufacturers the X-Night in 41cm, 48cm, 56cm, and 58cm sizes. In previous seasons, Iserbyt was on a 48cm bike.
Whatever the Euro ‘cross champ is doing — on whatever size he’s riding — seems to work.
The Shimano eTube wire to the Dura-Ace rear derailleur is zip-tied to stay out of the way, so it does not get unplugged nor sheared accidentally.