Mumford senior Jackson Capela started competitive cycling as a hobby, but it has become much more serious.
Capela does most of his riding at the Lexus Velodrome in downtown Detroit, but he was one of 50 athletes chosen for the finalist phase of “Milk Life presents, The Next Olympic Hopeful,” at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
His event will be featured on NBC on Dec. 29 when six winners will be invited to join national team camps to prepare for the opportunity to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Mustang Voice: How did you start bike riding?
Capela: I got started with my mom being a cyclist and she was at a cycling meeting one day for her club, and this lady that ran a nonprofit youth program came into the meeting and told my mom about the Velodrome. My mom took me even though at the time, the Velodrome was an hour away. Around 10th grade I started taking it more seriously, and it grew from there.
MV: How long do you plan on cycling?
Capela: Forever, but probably not competitively.
MV: How does it feel having your little brother as competition?
Capela: It’s fun because you don’t see a lot of African Americans racing, so it’s good having him out there.
MV: Do you have any rivals?
Capela: I only see myself as a serious rival.
MV: What can you tell us about the tryouts that will be on TV in December?
Capela: For like four days I stayed at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. They have great facilities and people there to teach you technique and strategies for your sport. If I get invited to the national team camp, it’ll be announced on the show on the 29th.
