Jonathan is 19 years old and makes his home in Rockville, Maryland. Over the past few years he has ridden for teams such as Snow Valley and Tri-State Velo and now comes to the Sakonnet Cycling Team looking for new challenges.

Q: So how did you become involved in cycling?

A: When I played ice hockey I only rode recreationally with family members and used the bike just as a way to stay active in the off-season. The sport just grew on me from there and I wanted to become competitive. I won the first junior race that I entered and I was hooked.

Q: Who is the one person that has made the greatest impact on your cycling?

A: With out a doubt Brian Walton, he changed me so much not only as a racer but also as a person. He taught me how to train, race, and behave in the sport of cycling. I don’t think I could ever be where I am today with out the help that he has given me along the way.

Q: Are there any races that you particularly enjoy?

A: Of course, there is a local road race that I love to take part in every year called the Poolesville High School Road Race. The course goes over all my old training roads and brings back fond memories. It also includes a 3-kilometer section of dirt gravel every lap so it always makes for an interesting race. I also enjoy Fitchburg because it is just so hard. I always said that I was going to be an all around bike racer and be able to compete in all disciplines and Fitchburg really tests that every year.

Q: Will those races be target races for you during the 2005 season?

A: Well, yes and no. I’ve been looking at things and it’s difficult to really say what I want to do next season. Of course everyone wants to be on form for trips to Europe and South American and I’m no exception. I think though that Espoir Nationals in Park City will be my primary goal because I have had difficulty at Nationals in previous years with crashes and illness so I don’t think I have ever really raced Nationals to my full potential. This year I want to change that.

Q: What are your long-term ambitions in the sport?

A: Well I’m going to go with this as long as I can and I certainly will never be able to just put the sport down but I have come to recognize that the chances of me making a living racing my bicycle in the long run probably will never happen. Until then though I’m going to make the most of it and enjoy the time I spend on the bike.

Q: Lastly, now that you’re racing with Sakonnet Cycling Team what are your impressions of the team?

A: Sakonnet has been great, the sponsors really help out and everything the sponsors do is just complimented by the management of the team. It’s truly a professionally run organization and I think the results in 2005 will show that. I can’t wait to get out to some of the big races and really show what we’ve got.

Great coaching and a strong desire to succeed will take this kid far - Editor

Report provided by:

CRCA/Sakonnet Technology Cycling Team