Athlete Profile | Jean Desrosiers
CyclistWestport, Mass.
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Westport native. High school track coach. Future Olympian.
A very possible dream for Jean Desrosiers, who has gone from "popping wheelies" on the little red bike of his childhood to racing among the world's elite cyclists.
In just seven years of competitive racing, Desrosiers has risen to No. 11 out of 256 national racers at the Category 2 level, one level below the professional racers like three-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Desrosiers now races full-time, traveling around the country as part of the Hawley Racksmith Team. This summer he'll go international, racing in Italy.
His goal:
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"Racing well enough at the 2004 Olympic trials to represent the United States at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece."
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Desrosiers tore a calf muscle and popped a disc behind his knee in a race in 2000 in Vermont. His foot was literally sticking out sideways and he couldn't even walk after the race. But it was important to finish the racing season because he was just beginning to be recognized as an elite racer.
When Desrosiers came home and he visited Southcoast SPORT athletic trainer John Burke, ATC. Burke was able to perform deep tissue massage, taping and other therapy - and Desrosiers was back on the bike in two weeks. Burke continued to support the cyclist's injury throughout the rest of the season so he could finish competing - and winning.
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"Sport has become a part of me. It keeps me in balance - keeps my life in check. The circle of people with whom I race share a desire and motivation that fuels all of us. Even when I'm no longer riding competitively, I know this will carry over into the rest of my life."
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Photos by Corinna Raznikov.
