He's been there before and, he concedes, he might just thrive on it.

Jonathan Page, America's most successful international male cyclocross racer, is having another relatively quiet season, with a few top performances but a spate of frustrating mechanicals, illnesses and other bad luck, plus an unusual mid-season bike sponsor switch.

Now, with a week to go before the national championships in Kansas City, the Planet Bike pro is looking to break out with a fourth elite national title, and then carry the momentum into the world championships.

Page out of history: Page at Koksijde

Photo: Courtesy Blue Competition Cycles

"This is the start of my season," he told VeloNews this week. "There is a lot riding on it. This is the make-or-break part of the season."

Page is competing in this weekend's World Cup in Igorre, Spain, then doing another race Monday before coming to the U.S. on Tuesday for nationals. Unlike previous seasons, where he has dropped into nationals at the last minute and then flown back to Europe immediately, this year Page will spend another week or so visiting in-laws in Minnesota before heading back to his home in Belgium for the rest of the season.

Page out of history: Page won both races of the Planet Bike Cup this fall.

Photo: Dave Simmermon

"I'm excited to have a bit of a holiday," Page said. "We thought it might be a little smart to have a little holiday and not come directly over and race my ass off and get overtired."

Page seems to thrive on a bit of chaos, with his back approaching the wall, if not right up against it. In his 2006-07 season, he injured his shoulder and, virtually penniless and sponsor-less in Belgium, he defied his doctor's suggestion and flew back for nationals — but finished a disappointing second. He then pinned his hopes and career on a breakthrough worlds performance, and got it, with a silver medal at worlds in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium.

Page out of history: Page with his silver medal at the 2007 worlds

Photo: Agence France Presse

By comparison, this year Page is sitting pretty.

"I'm in better circumstances. I can race my bike, I'm not hurt. I don’t have a doctor telling me I can’t ride my bike. I’m better off and I think I am now on the same or better path, as far as fitness."

Page has a steady team situation, and is working with a new trainer in Belgium, who has persuaded the normally low-tech New Hampshirite to use some newfangled scientific training.

"I do use my heart-rate monitor now. Boy, that’s helpful," he said with a chuckle.

Page out of history: Page was second at U.S. Nationals last year.

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

Last month Page did suddenly switch from Ridley to Blue bikes, following a sponsorship dispute with Ridley.

"I don't want to get anyone in trouble there (at Ridley)," Page said. "They are nice people and they are great bikes. But I did switch to Blue. I've been friends with some people at Blue for a while, and they are one of the companies I talked to last year when I was putting this all together with Planet Bike."

That taken care of, Page says he's coming into nationals with good form, but modest results. He was fourth at CrossVegas in September, then won some other domestic races. In Europe, he has finished on the podium a few times, but suffered a spate of untimely bad luck recently — a few flats, a crash or two (including one that broke his frame — a Ridley — in three places), a cold and a bout of diarrhea that put him out of action two weeks ago.

"It hasn't been awful, but finishing 15th place is not something to write home about. When you look at a race from a TV standpoint, you don’t see me. I'm not making excuses, I'm just telling how it is.

"I'm just looking for some luck. Once the stars start going my way it will snowball and get bigger and bigger. I’ve got the fitness and I’ve got to keep telling myself that."