Local legend at a tender age, Jorden Wakeley is the fast man on two wheels in Northern Michigan. And he’s pretty darn fast with the Pros in Wisconsin, too.

As the Pro XCT series made its annual stop in Wisconsin, the Tower of Power headed west to take on the best riders in the country. Wakeley didn’t hop in a bus, or have someone drive him. Amongst a gaggle of professionals in slicked out rides and endless tire options, Einstein Racing’s phenom was lacking only in materials, not firepower.

In spite of three crashes and a flat tire, he finished just 13 minutes down on the winner and ahead of a number of pros that make the national circuit each year. With a bit more luck, he could have been well into the top twenty overall, racing alongside the likes of Brian Matter, Sam Schultz, Colin Cares and a whole lot more.

What is most impressive about Wakeley is that he works 45 hours a week, rides when he can and dominates everywhere he goes. As he’s pointed out himself, it’s very tough to stay peaked from March ’till November, but he does it with a humble, quiet style that makes him one of the easiest people to root for in the sport. And while some riders take two months off to train in warmer climes, Wakeley is still in Grayling doing hot laps at Hanson Hills in February. Jorden is an impossibly likeable person that is truly and sincerely appreciative of all the support he gets from the mere mortals who wish him well.

As the mountain bike season clicks into gear, keep your eyes peeled for Jorden at all the big races around Northern Michigan, with a special eye on the Iceman Cometh. Enjoy watching this guy while you can, because he might be racing around the country very, very soon.