Help Jake join the Olympic Development Academy

My name is Jake Olander and I am a 17-year-old Cyclocross, Mountain and Road bike racer residing in Bend, Oregon. I currently attend Summit High School in Bend, where I will be a senior this year. Earlier this year I was accepted into the USA Cycling Olympic Development Academy for Cyclocross, which I am beyond excited to have this opportunity.

A couple years after moving to Bend, I became very interested in Mountain biking and began to ride with friends and the Bend Endurance Academy. I knew that I had always liked being outdoors, but cycling was also a way for me to clear my head. In 2013, I participated in my first race when I was 10 years old. Shortly after, I tried venturing into the world of Cyclocross and began to train and race. As I continued racing Cyclocross each season, I realized it is something I am truly passionate about. My passion for the sport has pushed me to better my skills, get faster, train harder, get out for as many races as possible and most importantly have fun. For the last couple of years, I have been able to race Cyclocross competitively throughout Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and even across the United States.

This year for Cyclocross I am entering the U23 category, meaning that I will be racing on the professional circuit. I know that I have a lot of work and training to get myself there, but I am committed to putting in the work. Racing in the U23 category this year, I will be racing at a higher level than I ever have before. I believe this program will be a huge step in getting me there. I have created this fundraiser in order to help offset the costs of the tuition. In addition to this fundraiser, I am working between 20-25 hours a week to contribute financially for this opportunity. Even though my family has been a huge financial supporter of my cycling, I feel it is important for me to have partial responsibility for my cycling expenses. The tuition for the program includes housing, food, coaching and support at UCI races across the US and possibly Europe. I truly believe there is so much for me to gain from this program, including additional coaching and mentorship from world class experts, support at races on a national level and a high-level UCI race schedule.

I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had thus far, and for what is still ahead. I have had a goal of racing Cyclocross across the US and even in Europe, and this program is one step closer to my goal. I would also like to thank everyone in the community for the support I have had along the way including Bend Endurance Academy, Cascadia Junior Cycling, Bowen Sports Performance, Deschutes Brewery Cyclocross and the entire OBRA community. I would like to thank my family for supporting me throughout my cycling journey, and I would also like to thank my coach Bart Bowen for being such a great mentor and preparing me for what is ahead. I am truly excited and grateful for this opportunity and I appreciate any and all support that comes my way.

I look forward to seeing everyone at races this season, and I cannot wait to get back on the cyclocross course.