J. Craeghs

J. Craeghs is a dedicated rouleur for the racing team Mannekes. Born and raised in Belgium, Jorn currently resides in Sint-Gillis, Brussels. At 34 years old, he has been passionate about sports for most of his life. His journey began with football and exploring various sports during his younger years, eventually transitioning to endurance sports in his mid-twenties.

This shift occurred after Craeghs and his friends successfully completed the Rotterdam Marathon in 2015, achieving a personal time of 3 hours and 34 minutes. Inspired by this accomplishment, they founded 'De Uitdaging' (Dutch for 'The Challenge'), a group committed to taking on physical challenges annually to raise funds for local non-profit organizations. Their efforts have supported causes such as rehabilitation centers, refugee children, kids with muscular diseases, and food collection for those in need.

Craeghs' passion for cycling was ignited during the La Marmotte challenge in the French Alps, and it has remained his primary sport ever since. He has participated in numerous one-day cycling events, including Liege-Bastogne-Liege, La Cannibale, and a week of mountain conquering in the Pyrenees. His performance peaks with specific goals in mind, driving his training and physique to new heights.

Living in Brussels for the past four years, Jorn has mostly cycled solo until discovering Brussels Unchained in the spring of this year. He has enjoyed participating in Fast Tuesdays, appreciating the camaraderie and competitive edge of group rides. Jorn aspires to join the Brussels Unchained Racing team to further enhance his cycling experience and participate in proper races, which he believes bring out his best performance.

Craeghs describes himself as a 'hard rider' ("hardrijder" in Dutch), capable of pushing hard for extended periods on flat or rolling terrain. Despite his height (1.91 meters) and weight (85kg), he excels in maintaining a consistent pace uphill on long hills or mountains. While not explosive, Craeghs leverages his power play on challenging parts of a track to outperform competitors.

Craeghs' profile reflects his potential, with sharp increases in physique towards his challenges and subsequent drops. He recently became a father, which impacted his training in 2024. However, with his routine settling in, he anticipates a better year in 2025.