Photo by intensepicts.com

Jesse Anthony Interview 22 October 2003 - Verge New England Cyclocross Championship Series webmaster Paul Boudreau sits down with Hot Tubes rider Jesse Anthony to discuss his hopes for the 2003 cross season and what it's like as a young rider to have the unwavering support of family.

PB Jesse, you've had a long road season. Other riders like Tim Johnson have made cyclocross less of a priority these past couple of seasons, choosing to focus on the road. As you come into the 2003 cross season, how excited are you about cross? What are your main objectives for the season? Are you looking at racing through Nationals and then (hopefully) the World Championships?

Jesse I am very excited and motivated for the 2003/2004 cyclocross season. I did not have as good of a road season as I had hoped, so I am very focused on training for 'cross and racing well the entire year. I plan on attending all of the UCI cyclocross events on the east coast this fall and going to Nationals in Portland. My focus will be on the national championships and making it to France for the World Championships in February.

PB This year you're making the jump from the junior ranks to the U-23. Who are the riders you're looking out for?

Jesse I have been looking forward to graduating to the U-23 class for some time now and it's been great racing with the older guys so far. Jeremy Powers, who is riding very well now, and Alan Obye are the two guys I'm looking out for right now, but I don't know who is strong from the west coast and there is always a good field at the national championships.

PB On the personal side, what do you like to do when you're not on the bike?

Jesse I actually enjoy working at the bike shop when I'm not riding. Some of my other favorite things to do are play paintball, enjoy the outdoors, cook, write, and of course hang out with my friends and family.

PB Your younger brothers Silas and Gabe have done pretty well in the ECV Kids' Races the past couple of years, do you see them as the next Anthony duo that will heat up the New England bike races?

Jesse Haha! My younger brothers have some time before they'll be spinning the New England race circuit. Even when they are old enough I don't think they'll choose to dedicate their time to bike racing. They think it's cool that I do it, but I don't see them trying to follow me in racing.

PB Your parents show up at many of your races, your dad has been running the ECV Kids' Race for the past two seasons and organizes some epic group rides, you have family members who ride (including Fiordifrutta/Wheelworks rider Josh Anthony) and the Anthony family is pretty active in supporting the local club. It must be really cool to have so much support at home for what you do.

Jesse My family has always been a huge support to my racing, and having them all involved is awesome. They come to as many races as possible and cheer me on from the sidelines. My dad has been the single most proactive source of support for my entire 'cross career, and he's worked many hours for me in the pit as my mechanic. Josh got me into the sport in the first place and I've followed in his footsteps for many years. He's helped me a lot in my training and technique of cyclocross and it will be sad to see him leave the sport. It's definitely cool to have my whole family behind me and also to have my non-cycling friends interested and supportive of my racing.

PB Have you any thoughts as to what your long term plans are? What's up for next season? Do you have any longer-term goals?

Jesse My long term plan for now is to eventually race professionally either on the road or for cyclocross. At this point I feel that a cyclocross career is more likely, but I haven't ruled out a career on the road yet.

PB Thanks Jesse for taking some time to talk.

Jesse Thanks Paul.

End