Jamaican cyclist Jordanio James says she leaves Switzerland physically battered but mentally stronger after finishing 22nd in the concluding race of the UCI Cyclo-cross training camp on Sunday,  an achievement she considers one of the most significant of her young cycling career.

The 19-year-old, who rides for a collegiate road cycling team in the United States, competed in only the fifth cyclo-cross race of her life, yet she pushed through heavy rain, deep mud, and repeated crashes on a course she described as “the hardest I have ever done.”

“The race was very difficult for me. It is the hardest cyclocross race I have ever done even though it was only four I have done before this,” she said. “The training camp really helped me because everything I was taught at the camp, I realised I had to do it and when I did, it really made it much better because if not it would have been really worse for me.”

The race, part of the fourth round of the Swiss Cyclo-cross Cup – Eagle Cross, unfolded on the grounds of the UCI World Cycling Centre (WCC) in Aigle, where 25 athletes from 16 countries had spent the week training under expert coaches Ed Collins, Sven Vanthourenhout and former world champion Eva Lechner.

James, who was among six athletes from countries making their debut at the camp, battled additional adversity caused by rain that turned the already technical course into a quagmire.

“Then, the fact that it was raining made the race even harder than usual because it was muddy, slippery, and I had no spikes on my shoe because I am new to cyclocross,” she explained. “I did not know I was to have spikes. So, I had a lot of sliding down the hills and issues running but the coaches were really supportive in cheering me on and instructing me during the race. The people there were also very supportive.”

Her objective was simple: survive.

“My main aim for the race was to finish because I knew I would not be ready to be competing to win because that race was filled with a lot of professional racers that are ranked as some of the best, and I know I am just starting,” she said. “I also knew just to finish the race with that course would have been a big challenge for me, and I believe I did really good to finish because not everyone got to, and given my lack of experience. I am really proud.”

Despite repeated falls and bruising, James pushed through to the end.

“The cheers from the spectators, officials, coaches and UCI officials was really encouraging and it really gave me the push to keep going even when I was in pain from the many falls and hits from crashing on the course. So, I am grateful for this training I was able to receive and I would love to continue exploring this discipline, but the first thing I have to do is actually own my own bike… because I wasn’t used to the bike I rod,e and it was not up to date either.”

Road cycling coach, Arthur Compass, watched from the sidelines and admitted what he saw surprised even him.

“I can only describe the course as a minefield. It was even more difficult under wet and muddy conditions on top of that, foot holes left by earlier races held,” he said. “It’s amazing that she finished the race as several others, even more experienced riders, did not finish. I must give her supreme credit. The conditions were treacherous to say the least.

“I watched her run, lift her bike and jump hurdles all afternoon. I watched her slide down banks, get up and go again several times. She displayed real heart. If the training is extended, she will improve dramatically and make it to world level with proper equipment and full support.”

The UCI coaching staff echoed similar sentiments. In their camp feedback, they noted that while her self-care needed improvement and she requires better equipment and more opportunity to practice independently, they were impressed by her determination on race day, saying she “gave it her all” and encouraged her to continue pursuing cyclo-cross.

For James, the journey is just beginning.

“I know I am just starting, and I would not be on that level yet,” she said. “But I also learned that I am very determined. Even when I saw it was going badly for me, I kept going.”

She finished. And for now, that was the victory.