Jason Yannelli // Cycling
Motto: “YUT”
The word “YUT,” painted in red, white and blue on the top tube of Jason Yanelli’s bike, will be familiar to anyone who has spent time around Marines. “YUT” is an expression of motivation and high enthusiasm, similar to the Army’s “Hooah” or the Navy’s “Hooyah.” Jason explains “since most Marines couldn’t pronounce my last name I earned the nickname Sergeant YUT, and it has stuck with me ever since. Now my bike racing teammates yell YUT when they want me to attack for the win, and chalk YUT on the road before major races, like the summit of Mt Washington.”
Jason’s cycling career began at the age of 13, as a middle school student racing on a high school team in New England. He moved to South Carolina and posted an almost perfect two seasons of racing as a USAC junior, upgrading to Category 3 by age 17. Racing took a back seat to a 10-year military career, rehab from TBI, and 10 years supporting a young family. In 2017, Jason exploded back on to the New England racing scene, racking up 25 wins in road racing, cyclocross and occasionally triathlon.
In 2019 Jason earned his Cat 2 upgrade and took the GC win at the Tour De Millersburg. He is currently ranked 2nd in the state for Cat 2s for road race, time trial and crit, is Maine’s Elite Time Trial State Champion, and came in fourth overall in the New England Time Trial Championships. Jason also enjoys leaving Monday morning “surprises” for his coach on Training Peaks: a Double Everester, a sub-four hour century, and a 200 mile ride with a 100 mile cool down in support of the Fast Freddie Foundation.
For 2020, Jason is excited to line up with the nation’s to pros at the Sea Otter Classic, and looks forward to the Joe Martin Stage Race, Tour De Millersburg, Green Mountain Stage Race, Tucson Camp, and hopefully DK200. “I am getting to the point in my career where other athletes want to hear about my training and the secret to getting strong so fast,” said Jason. “I try to send them to Paris Island (the Marine Corps Recruit Depot) to learn but haven’t had any takers yet.”