Jayden McMullen during the U17 race at the Ontario Cycling Cyclo-cross provincial championships. The 15-year went from the back of the back at the starting line to the gold medal. (photo / courtesy Pedal Power)
From back of the pack to gold medal
McMullen wins Cycling Ontario U17 Cyclo-cross provincial race
December 6, 2021
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS - Prior to the race, a podium finish wasn't on the mind of Jayden McMullen.
Starting from the back of the pack, the 15-year old from St. Thomas was only hoping his bike would survive the rigors of the U17 course, at the Ontario Cycling Association Cyclo-cross provincial championships, November, in Milton.
However, with a few strategic moves and taking advantage of space to advance pass opponents, McMullen pedalled his way to the event's gold medal, winning the four lap race by just under two minutes. His final lap was 33 second faster than the next best final lap time.
"For the first half of the race I thought I wasn't going to win or make it to the podium, but I pulled it together. I was worried that I wouldn't do well," said McMullen, a student at St. Joseph's high school. "I found an opening at the side where I kind of sped through and started to make my way to the front. I started to catch up to the front and slowly pass people."
McMullen, who trains with K-W Cycling Academy out of Waterloo, took the lead while going through a muddy stretch.
"I started to catch up and then I passed the first place rider in a mud pit," McMullen said. "I started to feel more confident because I started to excel in the mud."
Cyclo-cross courses consists of many short laps featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, hills and mud pits , plus barriers that are two to three feet in height, forcing the cyclist to actually lift his bike over the barrier to continue on. The sport is most popular in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
The bike itself has characteristics of both road racing bikes and mountain bikes, including a lightweight frame on tires wheels with knobby tread tires.
At Provincials, McMullen had to start at the back of the group, due to not finishing his previous race because of mechanical issues.
"Usually at the start of the race I'm not the fastest. I can't start too quick," McMullen said. "But after when people tire, I get momentum and speed. I have the better endurance."
Jayden McMullen during the U17 race at the Ontario Cycling Cyclo-cross provincial champion ships. The 15-year went from the back of the back to the gold medal. (photo / courtesy Pedal Power)
McMullen, the son of Melony and Robert and brother to Liam, finished with a gold medal in just his first year on the Ontario Cycling OCup circuit.
"This is the first season where I got in to the O Cups and got really competitive with it," said McMullen. "I came in with no one knowing me and I just came out of no where."
It all started three years ago when McMullen got a cross bike and was riding with the Nordic Cats cross club, near Thamesford.
"It's gets really competitive and it's really fast," said McMullen, on ra. It's gets you excited trying to go through thick piles of mud or sand. It has a bit of everything, gravel, grass, mud, sand. It's just fun."
Late in November, at the Canadian track championships in Milton, McMullen helped KW Cycling bring home an U17 bronze medal in team pursuit.
As an individual, McMullen finished fifth, in the U17 men's 7.5-kilometre scratch race, ninth, in the two kilometre pursuit, ninth in the elimination race and 11th, in the points race.
McMullen also rides with the London Centennial Wheelers and trains at the Forest City Velodrome in south London.
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