The versatile Jesse Anthony
22-year old Jesse Anthony has already more cyclocross titles to his name than most folks twice his age. The Boston native recently shared some of his thoughts with slowtwitch on racing cross and getting ready for the road season.
ST: Are you happy how your cross season went?
Jesse: Yes I was really excited to see myself make another step up in a few races, and even though I was inconsistent, I am happy with the overall season.
ST: How come you did not go to Europe with the other North Americans?
Jesse: I think it's fun racing over there, and definitely something different and exciting at times, but to me it's too expensive. My sponsors are focused on the US market, so I would have to pay for racing over there out of my own pocket. If I was paid to go there, I probably would.
ST: What are your thoughts on how cross here compares to racing in Europe?
Jesse: Cyclocross is getting a lot bigger here, but I think the biggest difference is that in Europe it is a spectator sport, and here in the US it's a participation sport. More people in the US want to participate in it, while in Europe the biggest fans just want to watch their favorite riders battle it out.
ST: Do you have any tips for people who might consider racing cyclocross?
Jesse: Sure, cyclocross is so much fun, so enjoy yourself.
ST: On the road you are racing for Team Type 1, is that correct?
Jesse: Yes, I'm really pumped to be back with Team Type 1 for 2009. We have a really strong and focused team and I'm excited to get going with those guys.
ST: Do you consider yourself a road biker who races cyclocross in the winter, or a cyclocrosser who races on the road in the summer?
Jesse: I'm both a road racer and cyclocross racer equally. If it's fall, I'm full-on in cyclocross mode, in the spring and summer I'm totally focused on road racing.
ST: What other sports do you participate in?
Jesse: I like to ski and hike a little bit.
ST: Do you do any running at all?
Jesse: I do a little running at the beginning of the 'cross season, but over the last few years I've done less and less.
ST: What about motocross?
Jesse: I love motocross, I really enjoy hitting up one of the Supercross races during the winter in California. I also bought a dirtbike last summer and I have a blast riding it!
ST: What is your athletic background?
Jesse: I've been riding bikes since I was a little kid. I never participated in many other sports. A little baseball when I was really young, and I've always tried to ski a bunch of times in the winter.
ST: Tell us about your family.
Jesse: I am 1 of 7 kids, and we were all home-schooled by my parents. I come from an awesome and supportive family.
ST: Do any of your siblings race bikes or are involved in similar activities?
Jesse: At present my older sister raced the cyclocross season and improved a lot by December, so we'll see if she continues that next year. She is a really good runner and is getting into triathlons this summer too.
ST: Can you talk about your training?
Jesse: Hmm, I try not to remember the hard training weeks. During the road season it would be lots of long rides with some tempo work. During the 'cross season it would be lots of shorter rides with some of the sickest intervals you can think up. A special thanks goes to Gord Fraser and CTS for almost making the throw up a few times this fall.
ST: What do you do to overcome a disappointing race?
Jesse: Ooh, I think about it way too much, and then I usually turn to my friends Tim Johnson and Lynn Bessette for advice.
ST: How are things going for you in terms of sponsorship?
Jesse: I have the best sponsors that I could ever wish for. Jamis has been a huge support in the last few years, and I have a ton of long-term sponsors like Mavic, Oakley, Pedros, Fizik, Giro, Cape Ann Sports Physical Therapy, Cyclocrossworld.com, SRAM, Ola Loa, Clif Bar and others. Also every sponsor like TRP Brakes, Ritchey and Champion Systems, that's come on board for the Jamis program has just been fantastic and so supportive, I really can't wish for any better support.
ST: Do you even have an off-season?
Jesse: Haha, I'm just ending my off season right now, it's been 3 weeks since nationals and I did some skiing and hiking in my off time. I also took some rest and completely decompressed. So yeah, I have a 3 week off-season from real training, and I'll have about 2 months off from racing.
ST: Do you follow any other sports?
Jesse: I'm a huge Red Sox fan!
ST: Which food items do you like best and least?
Jesse: I really have a weakness for ice cream. I love it. I don't like olives.
ST: What is your music taste?
Jesse: I like a lot of alternative and some good hip-hop. There's a time for everything though, I enjoy classical or jazz at the right times.
ST: What was the last book you read?
Jesse: Oh wow, I don't even remember the last book I read in its entirety. I read the Bible a lot.
ST: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Jesse: I'll probably be doing the same thing, maybe racing in Europe?
ST: Is there anything else we should know about you?
Jesse: I'm really motivated for the up-coming road season, so know that I'll be trying my best!
