Jesse Melamed
The long journey to No. 1
Earning two wins in three races, Jesse Melamed rode through the chaos of a global pandemic to finish the 2020 Enduro World Series as the No. 1 ranked rider, the first Canadian to do so. It was the realization of a years-long project for Melamed, who’s raced with Rocky Mountain since the ews launched in 2013. With his 2017 win at home in Whistler, the rider has been a podium threat much of that time.
Two wins in a wild season is impressive. How did you find consistent success in a chaotic year?
I was surrounded by really good people. I took advantage of a silver lining of the pandemic to really take a step back when it first happened. covid was a big shock and I didn’t know what to do with myself when it first happened, but I was able to almost take a mini career vacation at home.
With the team staff, for the past three or four years now, we’ve had the same people around. I think that was a huge reason why I was able to do well. We’re all just friends, and it’s really easy to be away in these stressful situations and remain calm.
I’ve been trying for eight years, since Dre Hestler picked me up for the team. It’s been a long time of putting a lot of pieces together. Last year, it all just fell into place perfectly. I’m happy and I’m grateful, especially considering how crazy and chaotic it was.
Is there something that clicked to get that consistency?
It’s hard to say. I wouldn’t say I stopped trying as hard, but I started letting it come to me a little bit more, so I made fewer unforced errors – that, combined with that new Altitude. Getting on that bike really suited me. I was able to ride more calm and aggressive, which is kind of an oxymoron, but yeah.
Your Youtube course previews and how-tos have quite a following. You share more than people might expect from someone in a very competitive sport. Do you ever have any reservations about sharing so much?
I definitely wonder if I’m sharing too much. Posting my race videos from last season is pretty good content for some of my competitors, stuff I’d definitely use. I try to study what Sam Hill and Richie Rude are doing in races so maybe I gave a bit too much away.
I guess we’ll see what happens next season. Maybe I’ve burned myself. But obviously people really like it and part of me thinks it’s just good content. Until I start getting beat and I can’t win again, then maybe I’ll go back into secrecy.
You spent time this past winter skiing. How important to you is it to mix up your routine? What kind of training are you doing off the bike?
Normally I’d go down south and get a road training camp in to get base miles. The skiing allowed me to still get out and have a lot of fun. It keeps me disciplined in other areas. It’s a win-win because I get the perfect long, slow base miles, but I was also getting to ski really rad stuff.
What pressure is there to repeat last year’s success?
I’m very eager and keen to defend that. I wouldn’t say there’s much pressure, only that I’m confident that I can face whoever is going to be challenging me. I think it’ll be exciting and I’m looking forward to it.
“Until I start getting beat and I can’t win again, then maybe I’ll go back into secrecy.” left
Jesse Melamed races in Zermatt, Switzerland