Full Name: Nicholas Dean Reinert
Nickname: Turbo
Age: 18
Years Racing: 7
Sponsors: Fuji Bikes, Salamander, Ritchey, Tektro Brakes, Shimano, Xpedo Pedals, Bell Helmets, Tifosi Sunglasses, Hincapie Sportswear
Congratulations on your finishes at the recent Jr. Track Nationals, tell us how the weekend went for you?
Overall, I would describe Nationals weekend as surprisingly successful. I set out to achieve a few specific goals, and I was able to achieve those and a few secondary goals. The main goal was to win the individual pursuit and the madison. In both events a few competitors really shined and made it very challenging. Everyone was watching Shane and I in the Madison, and Justin Williams and Iggy Silva were super strong and almost impossible to break. In the pursuit JP LeClair put up a super fast qualifying time and pushed both of us past our limits in final. The Points race was the most unexpected win that I had. I went into the race going all or nothing, I figured I was either going to win the race or have a really bad result from going for broke. I, along with most of the riders, expected Shane Kline to easily take the race. Somehow though I managed to get away from him and the rest of the pack, and end up lapping the field.
As a Jr Track cyclist in America, how do you feel the support is from USA cycling?
The support from USA Cycling is very variable. Sometimes USA Cycling will do an awesome job and provide riders with wonderful opportunities and great racing. Sometimes they really mess up, however, like early this season a USA Cycling director informed me that I was not allowed to race any Elite track races, since I was a junior. This ruling was eventually overturned when it was discovered that this director made up the rule and had no base for his ruling in either USAC or UCI. Another little incident that I had with USAC is the suspension of my coach, Jame Carney. Jame was suspended for 9 months, effective the second day of nationals, for hitting a rider on the back of the helmet. Indeed, what he did was wrong, but I don’t know anybody who would say it is worse than Andy Lakatosh's antics at "The T-Town Incident" which only warranted him a 6 month suspension in the middle of the off-season. That’s beyond the point, and the real issue that I had with the ruling was that since Jame does limited racing, it was really more of a punishment for the rider he coaches than for Jame himself, although the incident was in no way connected to us. Aside from that, USAC is a bit stingy, but they do provide solid racing and opportunities that no other American cycling organization does, so they deserve our respect, so long as they are kept in check.
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
I hope to travel to Aguascalientes, Mexico, and compete in the junior world championships points race. Last year I went and contested the madison with my partner Shane Kline, where we finished 9th. After that I’ll continue racing at my home track in LehighValley. Hopefully I will be able to sign a professional contract and continue riding to pay off my expenses at the University of Pittsburgh, where I’ll be studying chemical engineering.
Who have been your toughest competitors this year?
Shane Kline is always, ironically, my arch rival, but also good friend and teammate. Training together really pushes both of us to higher levels. Justin Williams and Iggy Silva were super-tough in the madison, a race that I naively expected to be easy. JP LeClair was also a really strong rider in the pursuit.
What’s one piece of advice for the up and coming track cyclist looking to improve their riding ability as well as their marketability to sponsors?
I believe that the most important thing to do to improve track ability is to ride a fixed-gear road bike in the off-season. This really helps to improve leg speed, smoothness, and suppleness in the pedal stroke. As far as sponsor marketability, I would say just try to make as many friends as possible. Most people in track racing are really awesome, i've made so many great friends there, and you never know when you make friends with someone who will provide with either a spot on a team or a deal with a sponsor.
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank first of all Pat Marzi, the team manager, for providing all of us with the opportunity to race and train like we do. My parents are a huge source of help, from buying me my first bike to driving me all across the country to go to bike races, they make it possible to race the way that I do. Also, Jame Carney is an amazing coach who has more knowledge of racing than anyone could ask for, and for my first coach and great friend Bob Biese, who even though is no longer my coach has never stopped supporting me and helping me out.