Jammin' with Aiden Mapel

Story by Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

Photo above courtesy Sergio Garabito Photography

It was a wet, fall afternoon when 13-year-old Aiden Mapel and JAM elite team rider Scott Smith rode their cyclocross bikes to Robinson State Park in Agwam, Massachusetts. Smith was riding slightly ahead and stopped to wait for Mapel where the trail turns a corner.

“I heard something and looked back and he’s lying in the woods with his bike somewhere else,” Smith said.  “And I was like, ‘Aiden, what are you doing?’”

“It was super slippery with the wet leaves covering the ground,” Mapel said. “I hit a root and I went into a tree. That was a short ride.”

Mapel scratched his face but was otherwise okay. He shook it off and the two rode to Smith’s parent’s house nearby.

“I was worried because his parents were busy and he fell on his face and I was thinking I’m going to be in so much trouble,” Smith said. “But his parents were really understanding and said, ‘Oh, it happens.’”

Despite that fall, Mapel knows how to handle his bike. He’s been riding since he was two years old. When he was three, he started racing BMX and is three-time state BMX champion in his age category. Four years ago he started racing cyclocross. Last year, he dropped BMX to focus on road and cross, and showed up on the start line at 26 races, winning Sucker Brook Cross and Keene Pumpkincross.

“He left BMX behind, as sad as that is,” said his dad Chris.

“But he had a successful cross season,” added his mom Cindy.

Last year, Mapel received a $250 grant from the JAM Fund.

“I used the money to buy a Giro helmet and for race fees,” he said.

Mapel is one of about 25 young cyclists who have received a grant since the JAM Fund started its grant awards program five years ago. His enthusiasm for the sport and his commitment to the cross community made him a shoe-in to win one.

“Aiden has been a part of the Northampton Cycling Club youth program, races BMX as well as cross and volunteers at club events,” said JAM Fund Co-Founder and Coach Al Donahue. “He and his dad have always helped out with events, which is really important in my eyes.”

Aiden Mapel at the Quabbin Reservoir on Sept. 20, 2015. Photo courtesy Turkey Hill Photography.

Mapel is in the 8th grade at Southwick Regional. On half-days, he rides his bike to school about three miles from home. During the spring, he runs with the track team, competing in the 100 and 200-meter sprints and long jump. In summer, he races his road bike and lifts weights at the gym. In the fall, he races cyclocross. In winter, he races skis in downhill and giant slalom. And in between, he volunteers at numerous events including leading the junior cyclocross clinics at Look Park. Oh, and he keeps up with his studies.

“Every day after school I’d come home and do homework,” Mapel said. “Usually around five when dad got home, we’d go on ride or ride rollers until it was dark.”

Now with more daylight, he runs and rides.

“I’ll run five days a week and sometimes Saturday, and ride my bike like three or four days,” he said.

“He’s young and shy but motivated to train, which is weird for a young kid to want to train so much,” Smith said. “When I was his age, I was riding around for fun not thinking about bike racing. If he sticks with this trajectory and having this much fun, I don’t see why he wouldn’t be riding for JAM in the future.”

Smith has become a mentor to Mapel. They live only a few miles apart in neighboring towns and have been on some fun rides together, like the time Smith invited Mapel to a hill climb challenge on Route 66—a playful inter-team competition between U23 Cyclocross National Champion Ellen Noble and JAM/NCC/Vittoria development team rider Chris Niesen. It was dubbed the Ellen v. Cheddar Hill Climb. And it was really cold and miserable.

“I invited him to come along and he didn’t have a rain jacket,” Smith said. “So I lent him one of mine. It was really cold and gross and raining, and he never complained once. He drove to the hill in the van and we hung out and watched the race and rode our bikes home.”

“This is the perfect example of how we want the program to create community,” Donahue said. “I know both Scott and Aiden get a lot out of riding together.”

Mapel’s goals this year are to improve his race fitness and compete at next January's Cross Nationals in Hartford, Connecticut, which is only 20 minutes from his house. He also plans to volunteer and ride the July 16 Grand Fundo. That’s where the JAM Fund will announce its next crop of grant recipients.

“We want to help out kids 10 to 16 years old who just love the sport and want to try races for fun,” Donahue said. “If they want to race and be a part of the community by volunteering at a few events, then that’s all they need to apply. More is expected from grant applicants 17 and up. From this group we are looking for a bigger commitment to training and volunteering with their primary focus on cross."

Cyclists aged 10 to 25 interested in a JAM Fund Grant may apply at http://www.jamcycling.org/what-is-a-jam-grant/.

And don’t forget to register for the July 16 Grand Fundo.

Noble Signs With Aspire Racing

Ellen Noble signed on with Aspire Racing, the cyclocross team owned by JAM Co-Founder and four-time U.S. National Cyclocross Champion Jeremy Powers. While racing for JAM/NCC/Vittoria this past season, Noble won the U23 National and Pan American Championships. She also won four UCI races, had 12 podium finishes and represented the United States at the World Championships in Zolder, Belgium, getting 6th place in the U23, the best placed American there. Read today's official announcement of Noble's move to the professional ranks.

The Silent B

Story by Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

Above photo from 2015 Grand Fundo by Meg McMahon

Brad Huff stacks cement block after cement block to build a makeshift outdoor grill on the hillside of Black Birch Vineyards in Southampton, Massachusetts. His sun drenched farm boy muscles bulge from his cutoff t-shirt. He wears a bandana around his neck to wipe the sweat from his forehead before lifting a dozen more cinderblocks. It's not the kind of summer afternoon expected of a pro cyclist in the midst of race season.

"We put a 400-pound piece of metal on top," Huff says. "It's a lot of heavy lifting."

Huff is setting up for the JAM Fund's biggest fundraiser, the Grand Fundo, an event that includes an epic bike ride through the Pioneer Valley followed by a giant pig roast and barbecue. He's volunteered at every one since the first in 2010.

"When something needs to be done, he doesn't ask me questions he just does it," says four-time Cyclocross National Champion and JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers. "He marks the course, carries things, does day to day stuff that makes things happen."

Powers and JAM Fund co-founders Mukunda Feldman and Alec Donahue agree that Huff is more than a brick slayer for the Fundo. He's the Silent B in JAM. (Think lamb.)

"For Jeremy, the B stands for accountability. For JAM, it stands for Brad," Huff says. "I’m like the big brother who likes to impose his knowledge on the guys."

"From counting steaks to doing laundry, he's full gas all week, often at the expense of his legs and training," Feldman says. "He goes above and beyond to support the kids and the people who turn out to raise money for the Fundo."

"Mukunda and I built the grill for a couple years now," Huff says. "Usually it's Mukunda and I build it while Jeremy acts like he's helping. Every year it's got better and better and we get the Fund kids to help out so Mukunda isn't working himself to the bone, like he always does."

In the week leading up to the Fundo, it's all hands on deck. Huff takes on chores as if he was back at home in Springfield, Missouri.

"I grew up on a small farm and we raised Holstein heifers," Huff said. "I'd brush hog, milk a cow by hand, bring in feed and do what had to be done, and that really helped create the work ethic that I carry into my athletic career."

The day before the Fundo, Huff, Powers and a few of the younger riders in the JAM clan made a reconnaissance ride of the course and marked it with spray paint and arrows. The small posse of cyclists with stakes and spray cans raised the eyebrows of one of the hill town residents when they stopped at his driveway to fix a flat. But Huff's midwest charm was irresistible.

"This guy comes out of the house and yells to us, 'What are you doing out there?'" Powers says. "And Huff said back to him, 'Well, we’re changing a tire and marking the road for our charity event tomorrow. What are you doing there with those bales you got rolling on that machine? The wire you're using is too light to tie 'em up.' And the guy in the driveway realizes we got a farmer in the group, and he yells back, 'If you want to take off your sissy pants and help me...' and they had a conversation in farmer talk. And ever since that day that guy waves to us."

On the day of the Fundo, Huff is out on course riding with the slower cyclists and bringing up the rear to make sure everyone reaches the finish at the vineyard.

"Brad literally does laps of riding, pushing somebody up Kings Highway and turning back and going to the bottom and pushing someone else up and doing that all day," Feldman says. "He’s the last to get back from the ride despite being one of the fastest guys out there. And every year there is a story from some recreational rider carrying a few extra pounds who says, 'All of a sudden I found an extra hand pushing my back and he pushed me for ten miles, and oh my God, he went to get someone else.' He’s amazing."

Welcome to Hazzard County

Brad Huff in his "Daisy Dukes" and Jeremy Powers set up for the 2013 Grand Fundo. Courtesy Brad Huff.

About 400 cyclists rode the Fundo last July. Huff was easy to pick out from the crowd in his former Optum team jersey and bright orange helmet, bandana and socks. While he's setting up though, he looks like something out of The Dukes of Hazzard.

"Every single time he shows up to the Fundo with the Daisy Dukes, you know, those short shorts," Powers giggles. "Sometimes they’re pinstripes or cutoff jeans up to his crotch. I’ve never seen Huff at a Fundo without them."

Huff posing in his Rally Cycling Team kit recently. Courtesy Brad Huff.

Outdoing himself, Huff is now sporting the All-American look in stars 'n stripes lycra tights with his new team Rally Cycling. And his season is off to a good start. He won the stage one circuit race at the Chico Stage Race in Redding, California in February, and put his teammate on the top of the podium in the overall classification. He's still going strong entering his 38th year. But no matter where Huff is in his road or track racing schedule, he always makes time for JAM Fund.

Big Brother Brad

In 2012, Huff helped Stephen Hyde, then racing for JAM Fund and now representing Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld, from debilitating knee pain. Hyde was in the middle of cross season and suffering from patellar tendinitis, although at the time, no one could figure out what was wrong. Huff used his own frequent flyer miles to fly Hyde to Missouri, got him a free place to stay and brought him to his physical training specialists Jim Raynor and Karen Rakowski at Mercy Hospital.

"He said he had an injury and couldn't figure it out," Huff says. "I talked to Al and Jeremy and said if I could get him to Springfield, I think we can help him."

Huff then called Hyde at home in Easthampton, and by the time they hung up, Hyde had a ticket to Missouri.

"I couldn't bend my knee. I couldn't pedal. I could hardly walk. Brad had been through almost the exact same situation before, and these are the specialists that put him back together and saved his career," Hyde says. "After six weeks of trying everything, it took only one day at Mercy with the doctors to get movement and momentum to move forward. At last progress! I was moved to tears as I left the building without pain."

And then Huff drove Hyde to The Bike Surgeon in Shiloh, Illinois.

"Chris Norrington worked on his fit, his pedals, his cleats and got him dialed," Huff says. "Within a week, Hyde went from not being able to ride and think clearly as an athlete, to boom, a whole new world! And within a year he turned pro on the road and his performances outweighed anything he thought possible during his injury period. That was one of my feel-good moments; to help a rider on the JAM Fund. That solidified my commitment to JAM and everyone knew I meant serious business to helping JAM, not just with the Fundo, but with more than that."

"He cashed in a lot of favors and did a fair amount of coffee making to make it happen for me-- a guy he hardly knew," Hyde says. "He spent time away from his life to help a friend of a friend because he has such a large amount of compassion for people. I am forever grateful and proud to call Huff a friend."

Now in his eleventh year as a pro cyclist, Huff has been a mentor not only to Hyde but to other JAM Fund graduates such as Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo) and Anthony Clark (Squid), all now on a pro cycling career path of their own.

"When we go to races, it’s Missouri tough love," Powers says. "When Durrin and Clark were at team camp or a crit in the middle of the country, Huff would tell them what they should and shouldn’t be doing. It’s mentorship. The Silent B is from consistent participation in JAM. He’s reached out to the riders and helped them. He’s personally taken time to make those relationships happen. And that’s always valuable about Huff. He’ll send them text messages. Like before Nationals he sent a message to Hyde and myself and said go as hard as you can, and you’ll still be friends. He's able to call out the elephant in the room and say go out there and give it 110%."

"We're a functional family, we support each other" Huff says. "I wouldn't have my life any other way than to be a part of the JAM Fund."

Beginnings of the Bromance

Huff and Powers raced together on the road for the Jelly Belly Cycling Team during 2008 to 2013.

Huff's connection to JAM blossomed out of his bromance with Powers. The two became good friends more than a decade ago while teammates for Jelly Belly Cycling. Powers remembers it wasn't necessarily love at first sight.

"The first time I met Brad was at Crit Nationals in 2006," Powers says. "He was on Slipstream, and I remember he rolled up and he had a mullet. He was loud and a bit obnoxious. He reminded me of Slayer and he had an aura. Everyone would say, 'Oh that’s Brad Huff, he’s just crazy, he’s like Young Blood.' Everyone was talking about how wild and fearless this guy was. I didn’t talk to him that day. But when I became teammates with him I found out he was extremely friendly. But I remember I had a feeling about Brad, that he was crazy, like he must go to sleep listening to Metallica. That’s my first impression of the Huffster."

Powers has numerous stories of their days on the road, particularly one about a steep road race in the Tibetan Highlands of China.

"We’re both suffering through this race," Powers says. "I was looking at Huff and he was looking at me and our faces were bright red because it was so hard, and he said, 'I’m going to die.' And I said, 'No, I’m going to die.' And he said, 'No, I’m going to die.' We won a lot of races together but we also suffered a lot together. He would say get your head out of your ass, you can do this. And we built a bond through helping each other out. We’ll be friends forever. He’ll be the friend that hangs out with me on the porch when I’m 60."

"We have a mutual respect for each other," Huff says. "And I support him, like when I showed up half naked at the 2008 Cross Nationals in a Daisy Duke outfit and rainbow wig in freezing cold weather. And at Kansas City National Championships, I was there to support him. We’ll pretty much do anything for each other. I drove with two friends down to World Championships in Louisville and got to go behind the scenes and give him a big hug before the race started. Every fan dreams of going up to Jeremy at a cross race and giving him a hug, but I actually do that. It’s a pretty neat, having your best friend be the top ten in the world in his discipline. It makes you become better too and want more for yourself."

The Chicken Thing

Huff shares a bro moment in Mukunda Feldman's bathroom the week of the 2015 Grand Fundo.

Huff wants the best for everyone, and he's a perfectionist. Having graduated with a dietetics degree from Missouri State University, he considers himself an expert on food safety and claims he saved everyone from food poisoning at the first Fundo.

"I was the critical control guy for food in the danger zone," Huff says. "They had chicken out everywhere, and I have a picture I can text you where I cleaned out the refrigerator and put the chicken in there."

"That was not true. Fully false. No one is in danger of getting sick at the Fundo," Feldman says. "Brad and I have an ongoing battle over adequate refrigeration ever since the first year when we were tying to fit everything in my refrigerator the night before. So that’s an ongoing battle... the battle about ice and temperatures that Brad and I have every year, which is a lot of fun."

For the record, the chicken has since been stored in an industrial refrigerator at Feldman's Tart Baking Company in Northampton.

This year, the Grand Fundo is July 16. Huff hopes to be there for the seventh year in a row.

"Every year, it's up in the air, but so far, I'm the only person besides Jeremy, Al and Mukunda and their significant others who have been at the Fundo every year," Huff says.

"He’s such a staple that I can’t imagine if he can’t come," Powers says.  "We’re not even talking about it."

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Photos of the 2014 Grand Fundo by Meg McMahon.

The Book of Cross: Chapter 3

The third and final chapter of The Book of Cross is a glowing reminder of the devotion and dedication Jeremy Powers has put into his JAM Fund program. The JAM/NCC/Vittoria team is honored to be featured in this latest video and even more honored to ride the tails of JPow's star.

This is the third and final chapter of The Book of Cross that follows Jeremy Powers from the U.S. National Championships in Asheville, N.C. to the World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. Video produced by Motofish.

Some scenes from The Book of Cross Chapter 3

Scott Smith Finds Fans, Weird Food and Jesus in Europe

Scott Smith is back in the U.S. following his nearly month-long tour racing cyclocross in Europe. 

"It's cold!" Smith said from his Western Massachusetts home where it was 20 degrees and snowing on Thursday. "It was 40 the past few weeks in Belgium."

About a week after finishing 4th in the U23 Cyclocross National Championships in Asheville, North Carolina, Smith flew across the pond and competed in five races in Belgium and the Netherlands. It was his first time racing on the European circuit.

"It was really cool, like going to the major leagues" Smith said. "I was tired from the long cross season, and after nationals, I was pretty smoked. I knew the racing was going to be really hard, and it was."

His first Euro race was on January 24 in Hoogerheide, Netherlands, where Smith finished 41st, but he achieved his goal of finishing on the lead lap.

"I really liked Hoogerheide because it was super slippery and had fun drop-ins," he said.

The following weekend, Smith was in the fifth row at the start of the U23 World Championships in Zolder, Belgium.

"The start was great, I got up as far as I could get" he said. "I had a clean race and rode most everything except for the steep run-up in sand. I slid out on one of the transitions from the drop-in to the pavement. I hit my handlebars on the ground and the tape unraveled, so I had to pit. But the pit was pretty close. It went well for what I had to work with. I was super tired and ran out of gas, but I stayed and finished on the lead lap."

Smith represented Team USA at the World Championships. He stayed at the USA Cycling house in Sittard, Netherlands with other American riders. Renting a USA team van, he got back and forth to races that were about two hours from his European home base.

"Adapting to that lifestyle was easy," he said. "I ate the same stuff as I do here, and you can get some weirder food at the stores if you want."

Scott Smith racing at Bpost Bank Trofee in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium on Feb. 6. Photo by Josef Cooreman.

The World Championships are the grand finale of cyclocross, but there was still some racing in the weeks that followed for those seeking experience and perhaps UCI ranking points. For Smith, the experience was most valuable at this point in his cycling career. Three days after Worlds, he raced with the elite men's field at Parkcross in Maldegem, where he showed off his technical skills by hopping the barriers. Then he raced U23 at Sint-Niklaas and Hoogstraten, where he had one of his best finishes of the trip, getting 23rd. The attention fans gave to his long golden locks made him feel like a rockstar.

"People are paying to watch these races and asking for rider cards, autographs and to take pictures with you," Smith said. "They wanted me to take off my helmet and glasses and they took pictures of my face and hair."

The challenges Smith faced racing overseas were slightly different than in the United States. Belgian cross is well known for the thick, heavy mud, which Smith likened to doing "tractor pulls." Parkcross had four sand pits, which he also said were "super hard." And Smith says it took time getting used to the course markers.

"They use orange wooden stakes and rope to tie off courses, so if you fall anywhere you hurt yourself," he said. "There’s a lot of drop-ins and ruts that if you hit it wrong, you hit a pole or medal fence not one of those flimsy stakes. I wasn’t really ready for that. It adds a level of danger to it. You have to pay attention more and pick your lines exactly."

One of the best parts of his experience overseas was exploring places he's never been.

"I liked getting lost on my training rides and seeing new things," he said. "When we rode around we found weird stuff like a small hut where people pray and there would be Jesus statues and stuff. You never know what you're going to find."

Thinking ahead, Smith says he would do a few things differently next year.

"I would take a better mid-season brake and maybe not race as much," he said. "I would do the big races and make them count and go over for Worlds and stay. And if I go back, I would make sure I'm running faster, because they run pretty fast."

Smith plans on racing the road this summer in preparation for next fall's cross season. He will always have the great memory of his first European cross tour.

"The racing was cool," he said. "To see what it’s like at the highest level of the sport and to see what they do differently, it was amazing."

Story by Vicky Sama

Header photo by Kurt Van Hout

Images from World Championships

U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Ellen Noble and Scott Smith both accomplished some firsts during their trip to the Cyclocross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium on January 30 and 31. Noble raced in the inaugural women's U23 World Championships-- an event created this year separate from the elite women's race. That allowed 40 more women to compete at World Championships than in previous years, according to UCI officials.

Scott Smith competed in his first-ever World Championships after having a strong cross season and finishing 4th at Nationals in Asheville, North Carolina, three weeks ago. That helped him qualify for Zolder. Both JAM/NCC/Vittoria elite team riders raced for Team USA at Worlds with 28 other cyclists from the United States. Noble's 6th place finish in the women's U23 was the top placed finish of all the Americans.

Ellen Noble blasted off the start line in the first-ever U23 women's Cyclocross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium on Jan. 30. Photo by Mike Albright. 

Noble rode in second place during the first part of the women's U23 race before slipping back. She recovered and finished 6th, becoming the best-placed American finisher at World Championships. Photo by Phillippe Thys.

This image from the live broadcast reveals the torrential downpour in the early part of the women's U23 race.

Noble's control on the technical descents helped her regain seconds on other riders. This particular part of the course had some of the most slippery mud and deep ruts. Photo by Marc Deceuninck.

Noble crosses the finish line in 43:16 for 6th place, 1:38 behind winner Evie Richards of Great Britain.

Exhausted but pleased at the end of the race. "I'm extremely happy for this hard-fought result on such a demanding and soaking wet course," Noble said. Photo by Meg McMahon.

Scott Smith (looking off to the right), got a fourth row start in the men's U23 race on Jan. 31. UCI image. 

Fifty-two riders staged for the U23 men's competition. UCI image.

Smith said the race was hard but clearly was having a good time at World Championships. Photo by Pieter Van Hoorebeke.

"This really is the major leagues," Smith said about his first time in the World Championships. Photo by Marshall Kappell.

Thanks to the photographers above who endure the cold and mud, who stand on their feet for countless hours, get pushed and shoved through crowds to get the perfect shot and help record the history of our favorite sport. We so appreciate your work and devotion.

2016 Grand Fundo Registration Opens

You've seen what JAM riders did in Europe, now ride with us at the Grand Fundo!

Registration is now open for this year's JAM Fund Grand Fundo, the annual bike ride in Western Massachusetts with four-time Cyclocross National Champion Jeremy Powers and friends. The event is Saturday, July 16 at Black Birch Vineyards in Southampton. Last year 400 riders participated and the cutoff this year will be 500, so save your place by registering now!

In addition to pedaling with Powers, you'll ride with JAM/NCC/Vittoria elite cyclists who have just completed a fantastic few weeks racing in Europe. U23 Cyclocross National Champion Ellen Noble and Scott Smith represented Team USA at the World Cup in Hoogerheide, Netherlands and World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. Noble had the best finish of all 30 Americans in the season's grand finale, getting 6th in the first-ever women's U23 World Championships on Jan. 30. Smith got his taste of the challenging Belgian mud in the men's U23 race on Jan. 31. In addition to Noble and Smith, JAM Fund was proud to have three of its alumni in the elite field of men at Worlds. Stephen Hyde (Canondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo) and Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes) raced on Sunday along with Powers.

The Grand Fundo is JAM Fund's biggest fundraiser, and it's how we get the team to races such as National and World Championships. When you register for the Grand Fundo, your money goes toward the JAM Fund development cycling program that helps make our riders' dreams come true.

This year's Grand Fundo offers the same three ride options: the 38-mile Mini Fundo, 68-mile Grand Fundo and 88-mile Grand Hundo. We'll have the famous ice cream truck, fully stocked rest stops, support vehicles, post-ride barbecue and world famous raffle where you can win incredible prizes and gifts from JAM Fund partners. If you haven't experienced the Grand Fundo, don't miss it this year. It's going to be another great ride! Register or buy raffle tickets now.

Photos by Meg McMahon.

Noble is Top American on the Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

HEUSDEN-ZOLDER, BELGIUM: U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Ellen Noble had a blistering fast start in today's World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. As the rain poured down making it nearly impossible to see, Noble furiously sprinted ahead with an Italian rider. The two opened a gap immediately stringing out the 40 others in the first-ever women's U23 World Championships. Noble looked strong, holding onto second place during the first half lap. But on one of the 180-degree, off-camber turns Noble slipped back to ninth. She fought valiantly over the remaining three laps and moved up to finish 6th.

"I'm extremely happy for this hard-fought result on such a demanding and soaking wet course," Noble said.

The downpour made it difficult to see and most riders had to ditch their glasses.

Evie Richards of Great Britain won the women's U23 race, creating history in the inaugural Cyclocross World Championships for women under 23 years old. Previously, women of all ages had to race together in the elite women's field.

Early in the race, Ellen Noble was riding in 2nd place. She eventually finished 6th.

Noble from Kennebunkport, Maine was the top American finisher of the day. Other Team U.S.A. riders in the women's U23 race were Hannah Arensman (27th/Rutherford College, North Carolina) and her sister Allison Arensman (29th), Emma Swartz (32nd/Madison, Wisconsin) and Laurel Rathburn (35th/Monument, Colorado). Katie Antonneau (Racine, Wisconsin) got 8th in the elite women's race, and Gage Hecht (Parker, Colorado) got 12th in the junior men's race.

On Sunday, JAM/NCC/Vittoria's Scott Smith races with the U23 men in his first-ever World Championships. His race starts at 5 a.m. ET. 

U.S. Cyclocross National Champion and JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers leads the list of Americans who will compete in the elite men's race including former JAM Fund riders Stephen Hyde, Jeremy Durrin and Anthony Clark, all of Western Massachusetts. The elite men's race is the final event on Sunday and starts at 9 a.m. ET.

Highlights of the Under 23 Women's Race at the 2016 Cyclo-cross World Championships from Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

World Championships Preview

Photo by cyclephotos.co.uk.

The biggest weekend in European cyclocross is here! Ellen Noble and Scott Smith will be racing at the Cyclocross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium this weekend in front of an estimated 50,000 screaming spectators. Noble will represent Team USA as the reigning U23 U.S. Cyclocross National Champion in her race on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. 

Smith will also be wearing red, white and blue (although mostly red and blue) in the U23 men's race on Sunday at 6:00 a.m. ET. It will be the first time either of them have raced in the World Championships, but Noble has already earned her chops in Europe, racing in five World Cups this season including last week's mudfest in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Smith made his Euro World Cup debut at Hoogerheide and is ready to tackle some more mud in Zolder, where the forecast is calling for rain. Bring it on.

Scott Smith racing in his first-ever European World Cup, dredges through the mud of Hoogerheide, Netherlands on Jan. 24. Photo by Fabienne Vanheste.

In addition to Noble and Smith, the USA's World Team has 29 other racers including our JAM Fund co-founder and four-time U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Jeremy Powers (Aspire) and JAM alumni Stephen Hyde (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com), Jeremy Durrin (Neon Velo) and Anthony Clark (Squid Bikes).

All Saturday and Sunday races will be live online, but watching will be tricky for those of us in the U.S. In order to see it, you'll need to use something like Hola or Tunnelbear.

Ride along with Powers and the guys from Global Cycling Network as they review the World Championship course. 

See more photos from Friday's pre-ride in Zolder as seen through the lens of Matthew Lasala.

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News/Blog

Heavy Mud in Hoogerheide

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator, jamcycling@gmail.com

Above photo by Phillippe Thys

Ellen Noble and Scott Smith of JAM/NCC/Vittoria represented Team USA at the Cyclocross World Cup series finale in Hoogerheide, Netherlands on Sunday. And it was brutal. The course was challenging with thick, heavy mud and a 45-stair run-up. It was Noble's third trip to Europe since November and her fifth time racing in the World Cup this season.

"Even after a disappointing race, there are still many reasons to smile," Noble said. "I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here."

Noble is now ranked 22nd in the world.

Scott Smith welcomed the mud and ruts in his first-ever World Cup race. Photo by Kristel Van Gilst.

Smith made his World Cup debut in Hoogerheide, finishing 41st among the U23 men--not bad for his first time on the European circuit.

"It was a great experience," Smith said. "The course was hard and fun. I felt like I averaged around a 50 cadence for the whole race."

Two weeks ago, Noble and Smith were racing in the slick mud at the U.S. National Championships in Asheville, North Carolina, where Noble defended her U23 Cyclocross National Championship. Smith got 4th. Now the two of them are preparing for the season's final test in Europe: the World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. Noble races on Saturday, Jan. 30 with the U23 women, who, unlike in the World Cup, will race in their own category separate from the elite women. She has the advantage of having raced in Zolder last month, which will be the same course this weekend with a few minor changes. Smith will race in the U23 men on Sunday, Jan. 31. Race organizers say 70,000 spectators could be at the race this weekend.

Bring on the cowbells!

Watch the highlights of the women's race in Hoogerheide above and see Noble's strong start (on the right side of screen).

Six JAM family riders to race at Worlds

Photo by Bart Raeymaekers

Six current or former cyclists from the JAM Fund Cycling program-- who all live, ride and train in Western Massachusetts-- will represent the United States at Cyclocross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium on Jan. 30 and 31. Current JAM/NCC/Vittoria elite team members Ellen Noble and Scott Smith leave on Wednesday for their overseas trip. Noble won her second consecutive U23 Cyclocross National Championship last week in Asheville, North Carolina. Smith finished 4th in the U23 men.

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again, JAM Fund Cycling Team makes dreams come true," Noble said after hearing that Smith qualified for the World's team.

Fresh off his fourth Cyclocross National Championship is JAM Fund Co-founder Jeremy Powers (Southampton, Mass./Aspire Racing), who is already in Europe racing as a warm-up for Worlds. JAM alumni Stephen Hyde (Easthampton, Mass./Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld), Anthony Clark (Feeding Hills, Mass./Squid/Feeding Hills) and Jeremy Durrin (Westhampton, Mass./Neon Velo) will be racing for Team USA along with Powers in the men's elite race on Sunday, Jan. 31. Clark and Durrin were selected for Worlds this week after two other riders declined their bid on the U.S. team.

Thirty-one riders from the U.S. will race in the Cyclocross World Championships. Noble will race on Saturday, Jan. 30 with the U23 women. Smith will race with the U23 men on Sunday.

Noble Moves Up in World Ranking

Fresh off her victory at U.S. Cyclocross National Championships, Ellen Noble moved up this week in international rankings. Of the 453 elite women who earned UCI points this year, Noble is now ranked number 19. To top that off, she is number two among women under 23 years old. Noble earned 80 UCI points for winning the U23 National Championships on Sunday, moving her up five places from the previous week.

Noble travels to Belgium next week and will race at World Championships in Zolder on Jan. 30.

Smith to Join Noble in World Championships

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USA Cycling announced today that Scott Smith (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) will represent the United States competing at Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium at the end of the month. Smith was selected for Team USA after finishing fourth on Sunday in the U23 Cyclocross National Championships in Asheville, N.C. He will accompany teammate Ellen Noble and 29 other U.S. athletes on the trip overseas.

"I'm really blown away with the news today," Smith said. "I had a tough block of training before nationals, getting sick and then messing up my hamstrings, but I gave it all I had to come away with fourth, just off the podium. Now my dreams are coming true, and I'm going across the pond to do what I love and race 'cross against the best in the world."

Coach Alec Donahue says the goal is to get Smith to experience Belgium and enjoy the process.

"This is my dream that it would happen," Donahue said. "Scott will get his feet wet in the U23 at Worlds where it's going to be insanely difficult. If he can finish on the lead lap, that's what we're looking for. And it's great for Ellen to have another teammate to be there."

Scott Smith (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) front and center at the start of the U23 Cyclocross National Championships on Jan. 10. Photo by Vicky Sama.

Monday's announcement was an added boost for the JAM/NCC/Vittoria squad. Noble had already qualified for the World Championships with her 14th place finish at November's World Cup in Koksijde. She solidified her position after winning the women's U23 Cyclocross National Championship on Sunday.

Donahue says Noble and Smith's World's team qualifications are motivating for Jack Kisseberth, who also wishes he could join his teammates to Belgium. But he'll have to wait until next year. Still, Kisseberth was one of the big standouts in Sunday's elite men's race, finishing 11th place-- an amazing feat considering he was racing Cat 4 at the beginning of the previous cross season.

"For a second year riding cross, knocking on top ten at nationals, that was unexpected really," Donahue said. "Jack was the most surprising ride of the weekend for me. He knocked his front brake loose and it was just on. I think he was out there for two laps before he pitted, so the brake was just hanging on for two laps. To pull off 11th with that was even more remarkable."

Kisseberth returns home to Boston following a strong end to his cross race season. Smith and Noble are at training camp in Greenville this week and will head to Belgium on January 20. The World Cup is scheduled for Jan. 30-31 in Heusden-Zolder. They will stay in Belgium for five more races after Worlds.

(Photos by Vicky Sama)

Noble Repeats National Championship, Team Rallies

ELLEN NOBLE WINS HER SECOND U23 U.S. CYCLOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Ellen Noble lifts her bike in victory after crossing the line for her second U23 Cyclocross National Championship.

What a day! Ellen Noble won her second consecutive U23 National Championship today, starting an incredible day for the JAM/NCC/Vittoria team. Noble and Emma White (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) took the early lead in the first lap in extremely slippery conditions after a night of steady rain. White came off the first major climb on Heckle Hill in front of Noble. Sofia Gomez Villafane wasn't far behind. But Noble wouldn't let White get away for long, and by the time they hit Bonk Breaker Hill, Noble was out front with no one else in sight. Noble dominated the rest of the race, riding solo up front for the last three laps to victory.

"This is a huge win for me going into worlds in a couple of weeks," Noble said. "Winning it last year felt really good, but to win it with our own race and going into worlds means so much more. It's such an amazing feeling. Doing it on a mud course is an extra bonus."

Noble finished 17 seconds ahead of Gomez Villafane. White got third.

Noble heads to Belgium to compete in World Championships in Zolder at the end of the month.

Scott Smith (center) charges off the start line with the U23 men's field at Cyclocross National Championships.

In the men's U23, Scott Smith finished a strong 4th place, just missing the podium, in a strong field of 59 racers. The course was still slick when the race started at 12:30 p.m.

"I started feeling good later in the race," Smith said. "It was just fun to ride the drop offs and slippery parts of the course, so that kept it motivating."

Jack Kisseberth catching his breath after the climb up Heckle Hill during the elite men's race. 

Jack Kisseberth raced in the elite men's field that started at 3:30 p.m., after the sun and wind dried up conditions a bit. He finished 11th in a field stacked with extreme talent. 

"My last two laps were my fastest," Kisseberth said. "I felt good. Wish it was sloppier. It dried up from the races earlier in the day. It was still a cool course."

Jena Greaser descends Heckle Hill during the elite women's race.

Jena Greaser rode a solid race, finishing 11th in the women's elite field, which was won for the twelfth time by Katie Compton (Trek).

JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers won his fourth Cyclocross National Championship on Sunday.

JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers (Aspire Racing) wowed the crowd in the final race of the day, winning his fourth Cyclocross National Championship, ten seconds ahead of his JAM protege Stephen Hyde (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com). 

Full results from all today's national championships are on One to Go.

Story and photos by Vicky Sama

National Championships Live Coverage

The U.S. Cyclocross National Championships will be streamed live starting on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Ultrasport.tv.  The JAM/NCC/Vittoria team will be racing one after another, so you can enjoy a full day of race coverage watching our riders live as it happens. First up will be Ellen Noble who will defend her 2015 national title in the U23 women's race that starts at 11:30 a.m. Scott Smith will be racing with the U23 men's race that begins immediately after the women's race. Jena Greaser will be racing with the elite women at 2:30, and Jack Kisseberth will be in the elite men's race at 3:30.

Here is the schedule of Sunday races:

11:30 a.m. Women U23, 40 minutes
12:30 p.m. Men U23, 50 minutes
2:30 p.m. Women's Elite, 50 minutes
3:30 p.m. Men's Elite, 60 minutes

Don't miss it!

JAM Top Five Lists

While JAM/NCC/Vittoria is in Asheville, N.C. for the Cyclocross National Championships, we've had some time to ponder. This morning over breakfast, Al Donahue, Ellen Noble, Scott Smith and Jack Kisseberth started making a list of our top fives in the subjects below. It was clear that our music list was not going to pass the censors, so we left that one out.

TOP 5 BREAKFASTS

1. oatmeal with nuts and berries (sometimes add peanut butter or trail mix)
2. bacon, eggs and avocado
3. pancakes and strawberries
4. waffles with real maple syrup
5. Ellen's grandmother's honey almond milk french toast with cinnamon, eggs, bacon and home fries

FIVE THINGS IN OUR JERSEY POCKET

1. iPhone
2. credit card
3. driver's license
4. extra long sleeve windbreaker
5. kitanaboy folding saw (in Al's pocket)

FIVE INJURIES WE'VE SUFFERED

1. Ellen recently had a sprained ankle.
2. Okay, number one wasn't bad enough: Ellen lost skin on her back during a mountain bike race last spring (which may have also caused that sinus infection she got shortly after).
3. Jack was airlifted with a concussion and broken wrist after biting it hard in the gnar at Woodward, CA downhill dirt jump. He doesn't remember much else about it. No surprise.
4. Scott separated his AC joint the week before CX Nationals in Austin last year.
5. Case Butler ate pavement during a training road ride in Greenville and was towed to town in a boat hitched to the back of a pickup truck.

FIVE TOP SWEETS

1. Sour Patch Kids
2. Raw chocolate chip cookie dough (Al's favorite)
3. Reece's Peanut Butter Cups
4. Trolli Neon Gummy Worms
5. Ellen's grandma's Buster Bars

(Above photo: JAM/NCC/Vittoria team eating breakfast at the team house in Asheville.)

Coach Al Tackles Nationals

It was 18 degrees when JAM/NCC/Vittoria coach and JAM Fund co-founder Alec Donahue warmed up this morning for the Cyclocross National Championships at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. Donahue raced in the master's 40-44 category, one of the toughest and largest fields, with 105 guys vying for the championship title.

From the start, Donahue and eventual race winner Matthew Timmerman (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) took the lead with a handful of others and quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field. Donahue road up the steep climb near the bike barn, but it was clear that Timmerman had the gears to spin up a bit easier. Timmerman was consistent, gaining a few seconds here and there. Donahue battled it out with five others for the rest of the podium spots and eventually finished 6th.

"It took two to three laps for me to dial in the corners," Donahue said. "Riding the run-up was important. It just blows my legs for the rest of the lap."

Al Donahue (JAM/NCC/Vittoria) climbs the steepest hill in the race on the second lap ahead of others running it. Photo by Vicky Sama.

Donahue hopes his disappointment with the race result will be overshadowed by his athletes' performances at nationals. This weekend, Donahue will be on the sidelines coaching the JAM/NCC/Vittoria team and preparing his riders for the best national championships they can have. Team members Ellen Noble, Scott Smith, Jack Kisseberth and Jena Greaser will be racing on Sunday.

JAM Fund to Benefit from Vermont Gravel Grinder

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

jamcycling@gmail.com

The Rasputitsa Spring Classic will donate a significant portion of its profits from its April 16 gravel grinder to JAM Fund and Little Bellas, two New England non-profit cycling organizations, race founders Heidi Myers and Anthony Moccia announced on Monday. 

“Our mission has always been to exist for what we call the 3 C’s: the love of cycling, the love of community, and the love of charity, and working with these two organizations really aligns with those goals,” said Moccia.

“We are so excited to be working with the Rasputitsa team this year to create a truly impactful, fun and classic day of spring riding," said JAM Fund co-founder and reigning U.S. Cyclocross National Champion Jeremy Powers. "JAM Fund is not just racers. We aspire to shape great ambassadors and role models for our community. We are extremely grateful for the support Rasputitsa has offered us through their event. They are partnering like-minded organizations to change lives through cycling, a goal that is core to the JAM Fund.” 

In addition to its financial support, the Rasputitsa is offering four lucky winners of its online raffle a chance to ride the course in advance of the race with cycling pros Powers and Lea Davison of Little Bellas, as well as some members of the JAM Fund Cycling Team. The preview ride will take place on Feb. 8, and the race is April 16. Included in this grand prize is overnight accommodations and a post-ride bonfire lunch. In addition, JAM Fund is offering a series of prizes such as a signed Jeremy Powers' jersey and other swag. The deadline for the raffle is Jan. 26. Enter here: 

 Additional list of raffle prizes include the following:

• 2 entries into the JAM Fund Grand Fundo on Saturday, July 16, 2016
• 2 places at the VIP dinner on Friday, July 15th, the evening before the Grand Fundo
• Signed Jeremy Powers jersey
• 2 Grand Fundo T-shirts
• 2 JAM Fund goodie bags filled with all kinds of great gifts from its partners 

“Supporting organizations that are giving back and growing the sport of cycling is very important to us," said Myers. "We’ve never been in this for the money. We’ve always just wanted to invite a bunch of riders to our neck of the woods to ride what we consider some truly exceptional landscapes." 

In only its third year, the Rasputitsa Spring Classic has experienced tremendous growth and the 2016 event sold out four months before the April 16 race date. Volunteers are still needed and donations can be made to www.jamcycling.org. 

JAM/NCC/Vittoria in Asheville for National Championships

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicky Sama, JAM Fund Media Coordinator

jamcycling@gmail.com

JAM/NCC/Vittoria is in Asheville, North Carolina this week for the U.S. Cyclocross National Championships. Ellen Noble returns to defend her U23 national title after spending several weeks in Belgium racing in the World Cup.

“I’m excited to be here in Asheville. It’s always cool to see different parts of the country and world and race,” Noble said. “After walking the course today, I’m really excited to see how it changes during the week and look forward to racing the U23 race on Sunday, especially since the U23 are given our own event for the first time.”

Scott Smith will be racing on Sunday with the U23 men. He comes to nationals with one U23 title win this cross season, crowned the U23 Verge Series Champion. He has consistently finished in the top ten in the elite men’s fields and landed in third at the Supercross Cup in Stony Point, New York in November. Smith was out surveying the nation's race course today with Noble.

“Looks like a well-balanced course,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of hard pedaling, technical stuff, good elevation a good amount of running.”

Coach Al Donahue likes the course design.

“The course is skewed slightly more to the fitness rider but you still need to be good at the technical stuff,” Donahue said. “It’s challenging but fair. There’s plenty of room for passing. There aren’t any bottlenecks, so you can have a mediocre start and do well. The person most prepared physically and technically is going to win. And that’s always what you’re hoping for.”

JAM/NCC/Vittoria’s Jack Kisseberth moves up into the elite men’s event at nationals this year. He is coming off a strong cross season, getting top ten in the elite men’s fields in six of his last eight cross races. Kisseberth’s most impressive finish this season was 3rd place at Rhode Island’s NBX Grand Prix in early December.  

JAM Fund co-founder Jeremy Powers returns to cross nationals in pursuit of his fourth national championship title in five years.

According to USA Cycling, some 2,000 cyclists will compete at the Cyclocross National Championships this week on the grounds of the historic Biltmore Estate. As many as 35 stars-and-stripes championship jerseys will be awarded from Jan. 5-10. Noble, Smith, Kisseberth and Jena Greaser will be racing on Sunday.  Donahue races in the masters 40+ on Wednesday. You can watch the race live online at ultrasport.tv starting at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10.

JAM/NCC/Vittoria team and friends survey the Cyclocross National Championship course while riders practice the drop on Jan. 4.

Take the Quote Quiz!

Photo by Angelica Dixon

How well do you know the JAM team? Match the quote with the JAM cyclist or alum who said it in one of our stories published during 2015.

ANSWER CHOICES: Ellen Noble, Scott Smith, Jack Kisseberth, Jena Greaser, Chris Neisen, Stephen Hyde, Anthony Clark, Jeremy Durrin and Mira Fowler. Answers are now at the bottom of this post.

THE QUOTES

1. “The team provided me with opportunities I could never have dreamed of, and I owe a lot to Jeremy, Alec and Mukunda for shaping my life what it is today. If it wasn’t for them, I would have never raced cyclocross or met my wife Gabby.” – (Who said it?)

2. “Me and my friends built this trail network called the Fern Forest and it had a bunch of downhill tracks and dirt jumps. We spent five hours a day digging and riding. That was pretty much my life outside of school. The whole experience, digging and hanging out with friends, that combination got me into biking.”– (Who said it?)

3. “If there was a sleeping contest, I would crush it! I could sleep 11 hours a night and not have trouble getting to sleep again. Al says I can sprint well because I’m rested.” – (Who said it?)

4. “JAM pushed me to be a better person every day. It was never about wining races and going home. It was about leaving whatever situation we entered better than when we got into it. I am confident in myself as a professional racer now, and it’s because JAM made me this way.” – (Who said it?)

5. “In five years I see myself with a house in Western Massachusetts with a dog and a national championship jersey mounted on the wall while I’m racing for a pro continental team. Or at least I’ll be a yo-yo master.” – (Who said it?)

6. “When I was in 7th grade, my best friend Trevor asked me if I wanted to go on a mountain bike group ride. At the time, I had a crappy Walmart mountain bike, and I went with him on a legitimate ride with guys in spandex. I had never seen that before. I was in T-shirt and cutoffs.” – (Who said it?)

7. “I had knee surgery in Dec. 2014, so I was not sure I was going to be racing this fall, but a month a half ago, everything was coming along well. At the race this weekend, Richard Fries said over the loud speaker, ‘Who’s that person riding on Caroline Mani’s wheel?’” – (Who said it?)

8. “I’ve been riding since I was really little. I’ve been practicing cross since I was 8 or 9.” –(Who said it?)

9. “Wanananana.” –(Who said it?)

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SEE HOW YOU DID IN THE ANSWERS BELOW!

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1. Jeremy Durrin, 2. Jack Kisseberth, 3. Ellen Noble, 4. Stephen Hyde, 5. Chris Neisen, 6. Scott Smith, 7. Jena Greaser, 8. 10-year-old Mira Fowler, and 9. Anthony Clark.

Got all nine correct? Awesome! You're a JAM super fan!

7-8 correct answers = good job, you've made the podium!

5-6 correct answers = nice effort!

3-4 correct answers = not bad, but you need a bit more training,

1-2 correct answers = it was a tough challenge, but you'll do better next time.

0 correct answers = OTB, but that's okay because somebody has to finish last!