About
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Date of Birth/Location: May 5, 1985; Wilmington, DE
Height/ Weight: 6′1″, 160 lbs
Current Residence:
Kennett Square, PA
Tucson, AZ
Education (include years):
Yale University- ‘07
Years Racing:
2.5
Years as a Pro:
Neo Pro
Previous Team(s)/Year(s):
Empire Cycling Team, 2007-08
Strengths on the bike:
Time Trials, Climbing
Strengths off the bike:
Cooking, being the worst bike mechanic in the world, skiing, scuba diving
Facebook, gossip, relaxing
Nickname:
Sherriff, Angry Watts, Goofy, Townsie, Chode
Family Status:
Single
Favorite Movies:
The Royal Tenenbaums, Bad Santa, Dark Knight, Office Space, American Psycho
Currently on my iPod:
Daft Punk, MIA, Bloc Party, Modest Mouse, Muse, Rage
Little known fact about Jon:
I talk to my parents everyday.
Website/Blog:
Missingsaddle.com (coming soon)
Palmares
Career Highlights:
2008 Elite National TT Champion
Wins:
2008
1st Elite National TT Championship
1st Fitchburg Longsjo Classic TT
1st Stage 1 ITT, Giro d’ New Jersey
1st Commerce Bank ITT
2007
1st ITT, Tour de Millersburg (Pro 1,2)
1st Overall, Fitchburg Classic Stage Race (Cat. 3)
1st Stage 1 (ITT), Fitchburg Stage Race (Cat. 3)
1st Stage 3 (RR), Fitchburg Stage Race (Cat. 3)
Other Major Results:
2008
4th Overall, Valley of the Sun
4th Stage 1 ITT, Valley of the Sun
4th Tour of Hilltowns
2007
5th Overall, Tour de Millersburg (Pro 1,2)
8th Stage 2 RR, Tour de Millersburg, (Pro 1,2)
10th Stage 3 Tour de Millersburg (Pro 1,2)
14th Stage 1, Green Mountain Stage Race (Pro 1,2)
14th Stage 3, Green Mountain Stage Race (Pro 1,2)
15th Overall, U23 Individual Time Trial
30th Overall, U23 Road Race
In his own words
2009 will be your first year among the pro ranks, though you’ve competed against top competition already in NRC races. What differences do you expect doing a full schedule of NRC races?
More race days and travel. A steep learning curve.
What are your goals or expectations for the 2009 season, in particular since you’re essentially going from a leadership role on an elite amateur team to rookie status with OUCH pb Maxxis?
I’m going into the season with an open and positive attitude. As a neo-pro, I know my role on the team and look forward to taking direction and learning from the veterans.
As a first-year pro, it’s difficult to get opportunities to ride for your own results. Do you expect time trials to provide you with opportunities to ride for yourself in 2009?
If I get the green light to open it up in a time trial, for sure!
How did you spend this off-season? What did your off-season training program look like, aside from perhaps occasionally shoveling snow?
Ha, no snow shoveling here. I escaped the cold climate and moved down to sunny Tucson for the fall and winter. I’ve put in some quality miles and made some good friends.
You’re only been racing a few years after being a rower. Why the switch?
I rowed for seven years. I took up cycling as a form of cross-training my junior year of college. I fell in love with it and realized it better suited my physiology. With my crew coach’s blessing, I made the switch my senior year. Sadly, I have not touched an oar since ?
Who were/are your cycling mentors and/or influences?
My coach Ben Sharp, my old teammates on Empire, and my crew coach at Yale, Andy Card.
What was your first bike? When/how did you get it?
Trek 5200. Early birthday present from my parents.
What was your first win?
Stage 1, Fitchburg; Cat. 4- 2006
What would you consider your finest moment on the bike?
My win at Elite Nationals.
What was your worst or most embarrassing moment on the bike?
Face planting on a metal grate bridge going 40 mph.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen on a bike ride?
The Gray Wolf and Shmeagle.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve done on a bike ride?
Get an In n’ Out Burger with Floyd half-way through a five-hour ride.
What’s the one thing you’ve done on a ride (training or race) that you will absolutely never do again?
Get an In n’ Out Burger with Floyd half-way through a five-hour ride.
When you’re not on your bike, what do you like to do?
Hang out with my roommates, frequent the local coffee shops, enjoy a nice meal and night out in Tucson, surf the internet.
If you weren’t a professional cyclist, what would you be doing?
Probably Grad or Med school
