At 29, Jack Burke broke the record for climbing the Mortirolo, a legendary Italian pass, beating the time of Vincenzo Nibali, former winner of the Tour de France and the Tour of Italy, by nearly a minute. The Canadian, an amateur rider, now hopes to have his chance in the World Tour, the elite of Cycling.
A second chance. That's all that Jack Burke, a 29-year-old amateur cyclist who missed out on a professional career, is asking. The Canadian put all the chances on his side to make his comeback by beating the ascent record of Mortirolo, a legendary pass located near the Italian-Swiss border in Lombardy.
Burke did about a minute better than Vincenzo Nibali, who had swallowed the Alpine monster in 44'52'' during the 16e stage of the Tour of Italy 2019. The Toronto native did it in just 43'45''. “I have just broken the Mortirolo record. It's November 16th, that's why I'm cold. Yes, I sprayed it”Burke was satisfied perched at the top of Mortirolo.
In addition to the Mortirolo, Jack Burke would also have erased the record of the Stelvio, another eminent Italian pass. The North American climber assured that he would post the data for this record online in the coming weeks. After Nibali, Burke should therefore take the scalp of another former winner of the Giro in the person of Jai Hindley, current record holder (1h10'41'' during the 18e stage of the 2020 Giro). Performances worth remembering since Burke set these times by starting at the foot of the passes, when Nibali and Hindley climbed these mountains with around a hundred kilometers under their belts, in addition to the fatigue accumulated by two weeks of racing.
Tested positive then exonerated at 18
If Burke is an amateur competing with the best professionals on the clock, he is not a novice. Great hope of Canadian cycling, the record-breaker has had a tortuous career. In 2013, when he was only 18 years old, Jack Burke won the time trial of the 3e stage of the Tour de l'Abitibi, in Canada. A few days later, he nevertheless tested positive for hydrochlorotiazide, a product likely to mask other substances. Before the courts of his country, the cyclist, then barely an adult, defended himself by explaining that he had been contaminated by water. Dion Burke, his father, manages to prove that Malatric water is only partially treated and that this substance can be found in the organisms of those who consume it.
A convincing argument for the courts, but not for the UCI, which appealed the case before being once again dismissed. “I’m glad I was exonerated.” Other people can think whatever they wantdeclared the young runner to Montreal Journal . Even though I have been cleared, there is still doubt. » Collateral victim of this affair, the town of Malatric, whose water quality has been called into question. “So much the better if he got away with it, but what I’m saying is that this product is not found in our water”fumed Martin Ferron, mayor of the Quebec city.
A professional career disrupted by Covid-19
Despite this affair, Jack Burke is not suspended, but loses his victory on the clock. Which does not prevent him from pursuing his career. He turned professional in 2016 in a Continental team (3e world division) and shines on the North American circuit, without breaking the screen. Enough to try his luck in Europe with Leopard Pro Cycling then Team Vorarlberg Santic, also playing at the third level in the world. With the professionals, his main feat of arms is his victory on the 2e stage of the Tour de Beauce in 2018, one of the most prestigious stage races in North America.
While he is coming off a good 2019 season, the year 2020 is anesthetized by the Covid-19 pandemic, stopping all activity and its progress. The Canadian climber will spend two more seasons with a professional team before returning to amateur training with American training, while remaining living in Austria to satisfy his desire for hiking in the Alps.
A book and a podcast to his credit
Once back among amateurs, Jack Burke diversified by writing a book entitled How to become a professional cyclist. The Canadian is even experimenting with a podcast on the same theme, with different professional runners taking turns to share their experience. Moving away from his professional ambitions, Jack Burke even planned not to race in 2024. « Steve (his trainer) thanks for convincing me to train again in May. I won every race I did this year. I broke the course record on three of them”he declared at the top of Mortirolo.
At 29 years old, Jack Burke therefore seems ready to make his return to the professional world, or even to the World Tour. “Anyone, anywhere, anytime. I will do whatever you want. I just want to have a chance against the best”launched Burke to the big teams in the peloton.
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