Jesse Anthony thought his cycling career was over.

Only three years into his professional career, Anthony contracted mononucleosis in 2009. The sickness, paired with injuries Anthony suffered in 2008, affected his training, which in turn affected his performance. One of the fastest-rising young cycling stars in U.S. Cyclocross couldn't even win a race. Because of it, Anthony couldn't find a job and doubts began to creep in his mind.

"That was the most difficult time period in my life," Anthony said after completing the first stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix bike race Wednesday morning in St. Paul. "Recovering from mono, trying to figure out whether I really wanted to continue doing this and understanding why I even wanted to race, took its toll. But all I wanted to do was race. I knew I wasn't done with it."

Anthony kept pushing himself to get better, with little to show for it. But Anthony's lack of results didn't matter to Jonas Carney, who knew of his ability when he rode with Carney's KodakGallery.com team in 2006. Carney, now Optum Pro Cycling men's performance director, wanted him anyway and extended an offer to Anthony.

"I was almost forced out of the sport because I couldn't find a contract with a team anywhere. I gave serious thought about what else I could do with my life until Jonas came along," Anthony said. "He gave me a chance."

Since signing with Optum, Anthony has resurrected his career. Most importantly, he has rewarded Carney's faith with victories at the 2011 Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minneapolis, a first stage win in the 2011 Tour of Utah and the 2010 Festningsrittet race in Norway.

Brian Wicker — ALL, Star Tribune
Jesse Anthony raced in the professional men’s race of the Nature Valley Grand Prix bike races in St. Paul on Wednesday.

Anthony rode again Wednesday night, and wound up 11th overall.

Last year he won the event by unseating three-time Nature Valley champion Rory Sutherland.

"He's an incredibly talented cyclist. He brings so much drive and passion to the team," Carney said. "He gives so much, sacrifices so much and digs deeper than the next guy, which I think are all qualities of a champion cyclist."

That passion developed in Anthony while growing up in Beverly, Mass., where he first raced. He credits cycling friends Matt McCormack, Stew Thorne and Toby Stanton for helping him stick with cycling and progressing.

His introduction to competitive cycling came in a regional bike series in Massachusetts.

"I thought it was just the coolest thing ever at the time," he said.

That feeling hasn't left. He's a seven-time junior and U23 national cyclocross champion, three-time U23 US Grand Prix of Cyclocross champion and 2007 Elite Verge New England Series champion. But he says there are several things he still wants to accomplish.

His goal is to race in Europe full time on one of the world's top teams. His Optum teammate, Scott Zwizanski, says he believes there is no limit to what Anthony can achieve because of his skill set and winning mentality.

"He has a never-give-up attitude, which rubs off on the rest of the team," Zwizanski said. "If things aren't going to well for him, he won't give up easily and if he's going out, he's going out with a fight."

Looking back, Anthony said he wouldn't change anything about his career path, especially the period of uncertainty in 2009.

"It's taught me to appreciate every day, every race I compete in, every opportunity I get," Anthony said. "Everything won't be perfect, so you have to make the most of what you have and not take anything for granted."