Meet Tom Scott, a British cyclist who made a bold move across the pond to pursue his passion for racing. Despite feeling a bit weird about claiming an American national title, Scott's journey began with a simple Google search. He discovered a USA Cycling page listing colleges with cycling programs and sent out emails, eventually choosing Marian University in Indianapolis.
Studying exercise science, Scott balances his academic life with training. He appreciates the university's facilities, including an indoor training room and a velodrome. Scott's versatility shines as he competes in criteriums, mountain biking, cyclo-cross, and road racing, all while enjoying the campus life.
His winter forte lies in cyclo-cross, a discipline he's been racing since his youth. Scott's American races have seen steady improvement, culminating in a second-place finish in the Major Taylor Cross Cup and a third in the King's Day CX. He notes that American races offer a deeper level of competition compared to British nationals, though he prefers the muddier conditions.
Scott's aspirations extend beyond the US, as he's raced against top cyclists like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. He reflects on a disqualification from the British National Cyclo-cross Championships, where he raced for Marian University, a club not affiliated with British Cycling. Despite this setback, Scott remains inspired by the success of former junior rivals and friends, pushing him to strive for higher achievements.
With another year at Marian before graduation, Scott is undecided about his future in professional racing. However, he encourages teenage cycling talents to consider America as an option, emphasizing the potential for a professional career in the collegiate scene.
