You can’t shake a stick at your local cyclocross series without hitting somebody that has decided to concentrate on ‘cross because training and racing on the road meant too much time away from the family. Want to hear something crazy? Jonathan Page feels the same way. Granted for him being a pro roadie meant spending weeks, not a day or hours, away from his family, but it’s the same idea. This is not to say that your decision to hang up the road shoes for a focused pursuit of cyclocross means you will soon be standing on the podium of the Elite World Cyclocross Championship like Jonathan did in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium in January 2007. But it does make it that much easier to justify your cyclocross obsession knowing that the United States’ most successful male racer is on the same wavelength.
Cyclocross Magazine contributor Dan Seaton has an in-depth interview with Jonathan Page in our upcoming Issue 7, while contributor Bill Schieken also recently caught up with Jonathan to talk about his career, training and goals, and we have an excerpt of that below.
When did you start racing and how long did it take you to realize this is something you could pursue as a career?
JP: I started racing cross in 1995. I tried to turn it into a career starting in 2001 I suppose but didn’t really have a career so to speak until around 2003.
How did you come to primarily focus on cyclocross rather than road or mtb?
JP: I didn’t want to lead the life that many road pros lead. I miss my wife and kids too much when I am gone for just a few days … I can’t imagine for a few weeks.
You’ve been doing this awhile and probably have forgotten more about cyclocross than most of us will ever know. With that said, do you work with a coach?
JP: Yes.
What do you think the biggest benefit is?
JP: He is a calm nice guy that believes in me the way I am. He gives me strength. That’s the biggest benefit.
You have a new bike sponsor. So I guess the obvious question is what has Blue done for you? The spy shots of the new ride on Cyclocross Magazine’s look sweet.
JP: They are my second biggest cash sponsor after Planet Bike and I have gotten to help design the new bike to be exactly what I want. That will benefit both of us I think.
What is your favorite European race venue and why? How about U.S. venue?
JP: I like Koksijde because riding in the sand dunes reminds me of riding in the snow in New Hampshire. I also like Middlekerk because I always seem to do well there and of course, I will always like Hooglede Gits!! Any course in Switzerland is great too because of the scenery and the visit with our good friends our “2nd family” there. In the U.S. I used to like Gloucester when I did it and now I don’t really have a favorite I guess.
You can read the entire interview by Bill here.
