Like a Boss!

Jordan takes the win at the Lauwe Kermis with a bike throw

Coming Home

Racing with his fancy watch

Jordan is finally coming home this week. He and his Slipstream Craddock Team led a great racing campaign in Belgium. The 17-18 squad scored 2 wins, and many top 5 finishes. What a great experience for this talented group. Things look great for next year, with the almost all of the 17-18 squad returning next year, along with a couple of the 16 yr olds moving up to join them.

We miss Jordan, and are looking forward to seeing him for the first time in almost 6 weeks.

Jordan is ready for a break from racing in preparation for the 2013 road season, and is sticking with his original plan of not racing much cyclocross this fall. He does plan to race the Chequamegon Short and Fat, as well as Jingle Cross.

He'll be home in Hudson for about 6 weeks, then he travels to the LoneStar Works Cycling Academy in Texas on Oct 8th.

Haaltert Kermesse



Slipstream Craddock dominating the breakaway



Noah Williams 3rd Place

Slipstream Craddock had a great race at the Haaltert Kermis. Noah Williams, Jordan, and Imari Miller finished 3rd, 4th, and 9th, respectively.

The boys will do a couple more races, and then Jordan comes home this Wednesday.

The Cost of Pursuing Your Dreams

The local newspaper, Hudson Star Observer, interviewed Jordan about the upcoming school year, and his plans to travel to Texas for his Junior year of High School. This article prompted Hudson residents to question the support of the school system for elite athletes in less popular sports. A teacher even wrote a letter to the editor praising Jordan for his resolve, and criticizing the school system for the lack of support.

Guest Riding in The Westbrabantse Arrow

Jordan races through the Belgian Countryside

Jordan and Slipstream Craddock teammate Noah Williams are headed to Holland this weekend for the 3-day stage race De Westbrabantse Pijl which translates to "The Westbrabantse Arrow".

The race includes 4 stages. Friday is a 94km road stage. There are 2 stages Saturday, a 9km TT in the morning, then a 88km road stage is the afternoon. Sunday concludes with a 127km road stage.

Jordan and Noah will be guest riding for a Belgian team. It should be quite an adventure for them, as they are not travelling with any other Americans, not event their team director, Christains Williams. Jordan joked they were going to watch the movie "Taken" last night in preparation for the trip.

Jordan Victorious in Lauwe

Jordan wins the Lauwe Kermis

The 17-18 squad of Slipstream Craddock recovered very nicely from a dissappointing race yesterday. Jordan and teammate Jonathon Schilling made a breakaway of 6, then shed 3 of them, finishing in a 3-man sprint. Jordan 1st, Jonathon 3rd.

Recap from Jordan's perspective:
"I took off solo on the first lap, and was away for 2 laps. Then a group of 7 bridged up to me with teammates Jonathon Schilling and Chris Keeling. Later Keeling was dropped from the break, so Christian (Slipstream Craddock team director) told me to hit it and try to drop the others. Only Schilling and USA rider Justin Oien could follow. The 3 of us rotated for 8 laps. With 1 lap to go, Schilling and I started attacking Oien, but couldn't shake him. I led out the sprint and beat Oien in a bike throw. Schilling 3rd."

Results can be viewed here.

Update from Belgium

Action shot from the Kruishoutem  Kermis

Cooling Down Post Race

Placing flowers they've won at the local chapel

A few of the Argyle Army - Jordan, Imari, Noah, and Zeke

Jordan has had a couple of tough races this week. Slipstream Craddock teammate Noah Williams scored a podium finish on Thursday, Aug 9th. Sunday's race did not go as well, with Imari Miller having the best finish on the team - 12th place.

Jordan finished 35th on Thursday, 71st on Sunday. He's hungry for another good result.

Thursday's results can be viewed here.

Sunday's results can be viewed here.

Enjoying Belgium

Photo Op with Andre Greipel

Touring Brugge

Jordan's First International Win

Jordan's day in Belgium came today at the Lierde Kermesse. His Slipstream Craddock team rode their best race so far this season, resulting in Jordan taking his first international cycling victory. The race was 16 laps on a circuit for a total of 90Km. His team raced patiently, and placed Jordan in a breakeaway late in the race. He had several teammates make bridge attempts to join the breakaway, with Mino Giunta eventually making it across. Mino was the rider that Jordan gave his wheel too at the Junior Nationals Road Race. Mino made good on that favor and then some, helping Jordan attack and get away solo for the win. Slipstream Craddock director, Christian Williams was instrumental in orchestrating their race from the sidelines.

In the podium ceremony, it was none other than Classics cycling legend, Peter Van Petegem, who presented Jordan with the victory flowers. Jordan didn't recognize who Peter was until Christian told him.

Jordan has been blessed this year to race with a great team, with a great director. Us parents are so proud of his accomplishments, and so happy he is getting this international experience with his Slipstream Craddock family!

Jordan is interviewed following his victory. Peter Van Petegem is on the far right.

Peter Van Petegem and a very proud Jordan

Results with timing can be found here.