Bredene - Jordan's final race of 2011

Jordan leading the pack at Bredene. Photo by Tom Robertson.

Jordan did his last race of EuroCrossCamp today in Bredene, and had another bad day. For those that have followed him all cross season, he hasn't been himself since early November in Cincinatti. He's been sick on and off since then, and hasn't had the opportunity to rest up long enough to get completely healthy.

As you might guess, this has been as much of a mental battle as a physical one. Jordan had high hopes of performing up to his full potential, and making a bid for the US CX World's team. For obvious reasons, Jordan will not be petitioning for selection to CX worlds this year.

Jordan plans to rest up as much as he can in preparation for Nationals next week, in hopes for a good result there. Then he plans to take an extended break, in preparation for next road season with his new team, Slipstream-Craddock Junior Developement.

The support from his family, friends, and cycling community has been overwhelming, and for this we are very greatful. Clearly Jordan still had excellent success this cross season, including being selected for EuroCrossCamp, repeating his 3-peat at Jingle Cross, and winning the MN State CX Championships in spectacular come-from-behind fashion. We thank you sincerely for providing him with the opportunity for these once in a life time racing experiences.

Article About Jordan in the Local Press

Hudson Star Observer Article

Loenhout GVA

At the Loenhout Finish with Tobin Ortenblad. Photo by Tom Robertson

Today's race was a GVA in Loenhout. This course had several muddy sections with a flyover, whoops, and some wicked ditches.

I was feeling a little better than I had in Zolder so I was really looking forward to the race.

I had an ok start but lost a few spots. I started chasing pretty hard and through a long running section I caught half a dozen riders.

I kept chasing super hard and on the banner above the finish line it said I was sitting in 25th place. I faded a little with two laps to go so I took a majority of that lap easier than before.

With one lap to go there were a few people in front of me that I was able to catch and rolled in for 28th place.

I'm pretty happy with my result here today and I can't wait to race tomorrow!!

A Tough Day at Zolder

Jordan on the log pavement stretch. Photo by Tom Robertson.

Today's race was at the Zolder Circuit. This course is one of the faster ones that we are doing on this trip with a long road section and a few steep, rutted drops.
I went into the race not really having any expectations because I was feeling very tired and fatigued during my warm-up. I had a decent initial start but once we got going I had no speed and went right to last place.
I picked up a spot or two on the next road section but the next riders were already a ways ahead of us. I was feeling terrible and was just trying to ride as well as I could.
After two laps I wasn't feeling any better and continued losing time so I chose to save myself for the remaining races and pulled out.
I am super disappointed with how I did here and really hope I can have at least one good race when I'm over here. My next race is Wednesday at Loenhout

Diegem Superprestiege

Last night we raced in Diegem. It's one of the oldest Superprestieges and a super cool one too.

The course was a little muddy but had very long road climb, paved downhill, and a sandpit.

I had a very bad start at was nearing the back of the pack. I started chasing pretty hard to catch as many guys as I could.

Mid-way through the race I had made up a lot of places but I was still quite a ways back. I switched bikes with two laps left to get a clean bike with no mud on it.

After switching I made up a few more spots. On the final lap up the long road climb I totally blew up and lost several places. I tried to salvage as much as I could and came across the line for 49th.

I am pretty dissapointed with my start at this race and I really hope to make up for it on Monday at Zolder!

Full Diegem Results here

Cyclocross Popularity in Belgium

Namur World Cup Elite Race - Photo by Tom Robertson

In the United States, Cyclocross is a growing sport, but is still very small in comparison to mainstream sports like Football, Baseball, Hockey, and Basketball. In Europe, Soccer is the most popular sport. However, cycling is right up there. The discipline of Cyclocross is particularly popular in Belgium.

In the US, an event is deemed popular if they can draw more spectators than racers. In Belgium, they have permanent cyclocross venues, and spectators pay around 10 euros to enter. Events get THOUSANDS of spectators, filling stands, and lining much of the course, several people deep.

Sponsorship is clearly at another level at these events. Crowd barriers line most of the course, with sponsorship banners drapped over every inch of the course. Belgian cross superstars like Sven Nys and Kevin Pauwels are worshiped by fans, seeking their trading cards and autographs. Yes, they have trading cards!

The UCI (United Cycliste Internationale) is the world governing body of cycling. They oversee, and set policy, for all of the biggest bike races in the world. These include the Tour de France, World Championships, and Cyclocross World Cup Series.

The 3 biggest European UCI Cyclocross Series are the UCI World Cup, GVA Trophee, and Super Prestige. Each series boasts 8 events, most of which are in and around Belgium.

Last Sunday's race in Namur was a World Cup event. Tomorrow's race in Diegem is a Super Prestige. Eurocrosscampers will also be racing the Zolder World Cup this coming Monday. Jordan may also get the opportunity to race the GVA Trophee in Baal on New Year's Day.

First Week In Izegem

Izegem has been an awesome place for my first week and I love the house here!! All of this week so far have been non-race days so our days usually follow a pretty routine schedule.

We get up at 8, eat breakfast, ride at 10, Lunch at noon, dinner at 6, and a meeting at 8. This of course leaves a ton of down time for all of us to just relax and study or catch up on the Facebook world.

On Monday, myself and a few other juniors went into town to eat at the Glass House. The food was awesome and the atmosphere was great!

Monday night really sucked! I woke up in the middle of the night and got super sick and didn't fall asleep until 5. So, pretty much all of Tuesday was spent in my bed just resting from being sick.

Wednesday was a pretty cool day. The first half of the day was pretty normal. I recovered quite a bit from being sick and I was able to ride inside on the trainer.

After lunch all of us headed to the BMC service course. This place was insane!!! They had one of the team buses there, team cars, countless bikes and wheelsets, luggage, and tons of other sweet things!

Another thing that was cool about the service course is that they had Cadel Evans' skinsuit from the final TT at the Tour this year along with most of his bikes!

Izegem is for sure an awesome place and I can't wait to race in Diegem tomorrow!

Jordan's Euro Cross Camp Racing Schedule

Sun, Dec 18 - Namur UCI World Cup
Wed, Dec 21 - Izegem Intersquad Training Race
Fri, Dec 23 - Diegem UCI Superprestige
Mon, Dec 26 - Zolder UCI World Cup
Wed, Dec 28 - Loenhout GVA Trophy
Fri, Dec 30 - Leuven
Sun, Jan 1 - Baal (Tenative)

Namur World Cup

Today was my first race in Europe in Namur. I went into the race just hoping for a top 20 because I knew it would be way harder than any U.S. race.

The course was super muddy with several rutted drops, and off camber section, and lots of elevation. A lot of the course was not rideable so I knew there would be quite a bit of running today.

I had a decent start from the front row and was able to keep my spot about mid-field for most of the race.

I was having a ton of fun on during the whole race! I was switching bikes every lap so I could have a mud-free bike. I came in to the finish for 20th place, a solid 7:30 down on the winner. I'm still super pumped with my result especially since this was my first European race.

I am racing again on friday here and I can't wait!!

Namur World Cup Juniors Results

EuroCrossCamp IX Coverage

EuroCrossCamp Website:
http://www.eurocrosscamp.com/

Photographer Tom Robertson has a blog that will chronicle EuroCrossCamp IX.
http://www.tomrobertsonphoto.com/blog/

Bend USGP

This weekend I headed to Bend, Oregon for the final two races in the USGP. I was really looking forward to racing in Bend again this year because the town is so awesome. Unfortunately, the weekend after Jingle Cross I got sick again and I was still feeling it this weekend.
This course on the first day was pretty cool with a good mix of power and technical sections, and it was super dry and dusty. I had a pretty good start on the first day and was fourth into the first corner. I started fading about half a lap in and just tried to stay in the top 10.
With 3 laps to go I was riding with my teammate Zack Gould when I flatted and had to switch bikes. After switching I never really go my rhythm back and rode the last three laps solo into 7th place.
The second day's course was relatively unchanged and was just as dry as yesterday. I had about the same start as yesterday but stayed in contact with the front group a little longer.
After a lap I was riding alone in 6th place with a solid gap to both 5th place in front, and 7th place behind me. I just kept riding tempo for the rest of the race and came in for 6th.
I was a little disappointed to be sick again for another big race but that's just part of racing. I'm super excited to leave for EuroCross Camp on Thursday for some awesome European race experience!

Press Coverage of Jordan

Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel Jingle Cross Rock Coverage:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/134724363.html
Latest UCI Cyclocross Rankings:
http://www.podiuminsight.com/2011/11/29/compton-tops-uci-cross-rankings-powers-moves-up-to-11th/
EuroCrossCamp IX Announcements:
Cyclingnews: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/get-ready-for-euro-cross-camp-ix
Cyclocross Magazine: http://www.cxmagazine.com/selections-eurocrosscamp-ix-trebon-mcdonald-eckmann-dillman-top-roster