Syracuse Racing Development Racer Spotlight 1st edition: Marcello Prattico Im going to try out something new here that I plan on continuing throughout the colder months of the year. I see this as an opportunity to bring some attention to the (I wont use the term weekend warrior because thats a lousy bullshit term) amateur racers in the Syracuse area. We can read until our eyes are blurry about the lives of pro bike racers but what about the mom of 3 who races on the weekends and wakes up early to put in training hours then goes to her full time job? Theres something in all of that which is just as brutal and beautiful and difficult as any pro racers life. The difference is that for every one pro racer you know, you know 100+ of these everyday people who just love to race their bikes when they can. Utilizing a Q & A consisting of 25 questions well take a quick snapshot into what makes us tick as racers, bicycle enthusiasts, and perhaps a little more. I decided that with Marcello moving to NJ this month that this would serve as an attempt to give him some much overdue kudos for the man he is and what hes brought to the cycling scene around Syracuse. I met Marcello only a couple years ago when I first started cycling - probably at an OCC ride or Wednesday Night Worlds ride. I found in Marcello one of the friendliest smiles (that never seems to leave his face) as well as someone who was incredibly approachable for someone like me new to the sport. If youve met Marcello then you know I dont have to go much further. Anyways, Ill wrap up my end of it so you can get to know the man but the best I can say to you now Marcello is THANKS! for all of the great riding moments and especially your enthusiasm and dedication that you brought. Youll be missed man. -dave p.s. may I suggest a Chianti while you chew on this? 1. Name, Age, where are you from? How long have you been in the Syracuse area? Family? What do you do as your 9-5? 43 years old, married to Maria for 14 years with two kids Cristina 9 and Luca 6. I work as Director of Web Services at Syracuse University. In November I will be joining a cool startup in New Jersey called jet 2. How long you’ve been riding and also how long have you been racing? I’ve been riding and racing in various degrees since 1987 when my brothers, friends and I decided to buy racing bikes. 3. What team do you belong to and how did you end up there? Racing for Bike Loft East, we branched out from our sister team Max Power Cycling. Bike Loft has more of a racing focus and we’ve been getting a great team turnout in races the last few years. 4. How did you first get into bike racing? Was there anyone that influenced you to get into it, etc…what’s the story? My brothers and neighborhood friends loved to ride our bikes all over Syracuse and farther out. I don’t know what triggered it, but we started noticing bike racing and Triathlon. We were hooked with the sport. We loved the style surrounding the sport and how different it was from anything else. Greg Lemond, Andy Hampsten and the 7 Eleven Team were huge heros. My bedroom was covered with cut out pics of Euro Pros from Winning magazine. In the early 90s we all started going to Tuesday Night Training rides run by Scott Wright, Dave Faso and Dave Madonna. From then on we were hooked. We did not race as much early on, but eased into it. Eventually we would do races like the Tour de Loop as our big goal of the year. 5. Road, CX, MTB? Do you have a favorite and why? All at some point. Road in my primary love, but Cyclocross is right up there. I had an existential crisis this year when I had to choose my primary discipline in my USA Cycling license. I chose Cyclocross and don’t regret it. 6. Do you set racing goals or is it more of a just go out and do it, have fun kind of thing? I usually just go out and have fun, but this year I’ve been more serious about trying to get a better result. 7. What are your favorite races and why? It’s like asking who your favorite child is, It is hard to say. I love Hollenbecks with the low key fun atmosphere and the big cookies. The Syracuse Crit is always fun since the course suits me well. I remember placing 3rd the first time I raced there. For cyclocross any race is my favorite. It is always fun and each course has a great challenge. 8. What’s your favorite thing about racing? I am a competitive person and just love doing it. I love the nervous feeling at the start and the feeling of accomplishment when your finish. 9. What motivates you? I just simply love being on my bike. If its a nice ride in good weather with thoughts going through your head or the all out intensity of a cyclocross race. Cycling provides the quiet solace of a lone ride or the camaraderie of a group ride or intensity of a race. It has it all. 10. What’s your least favorite thing about racing? Missing a race. I was bummed to miss out on Ellison Park this year since I had to go to NJ and do some apartment hunting. 11. What is your go-to pre-ride food? What is your go-to race fuel? How do you recover after a race? Nutella for pre ride food. I’ve been putting some on Coco Pops rices cakes and that gives me the energy I need. Combine that with a pre ride espresso and you are good to go. During a race I don’t eat much unless it is a long race. I try to get some of Tim O’Shea’s Giddy Up Bars, Clif shots for quick bursts and Clif bars for longer rides. For after race recovery I try not to go too crazy and get protein. greek yogurt, Whey protein and other good stuff. I will also have a good beer here and there. This year I’ve been [aying closer attention to diet and realize that even though putting in a big effort may make you think you should reward yourself. Eating right has benefits for the whole season. 12. What would you like to see more of in the local racing scene? More Crits in mid summer. There is a big lull in racing during June/July/ August and Thater comes too late with not much of a crit lead up. 13. What tips, encouragement, etc. can you give to people who have never raced or just started to race? Don’t worry too much about it and just race. You will be surprised at how you do. Don’t take it too seriously and don’t be afraid to talk to guys/girls who are racing and learn. Roadies and other racers are quite friendly around here. 14. Do you have any people that inspire you/encourage you when it comes to bike racing? The local folks like Dave Faso, Skinny Phil, Bryan Blake, Dave Tate and more seem to love to encourage people to race and are super helpful. They are staples of the sport in the area. 15. How do you maintain the delicate balance of work, family life, and bike racing? You have to make time for it. It won’t happen if you hope to do it. I make deals with my wife on time and we work together. She knows I love riding so she gives me space when I need it. Family first, riding second. 16. Do you have a good race memory or story to share? There are lots. But the most recent one was crashing a few times at Cross out Child Abuse. I rolled a clincher, the tube was snapped. I thought I was done for the race. Having signed up for a second race I thought I would drop out. But once I got to the pit, Jeremy Clay got me going with a new wheel. I fought hard and finished second in the Masters 35+ 17. What’s your favorite local training ride? Ride up 91 into the Pompey Hills. Lately I’ve been riding up Frank Long Rd. more to checkout the 25% gradients. 18. What would your dream cycling getaway be? Italy to follow the Giro especially in the Dolomites. Climbing the Mortirolo and the Stelvio. Add some Tour de France climbs up L’Alpe D’Huez too. 19. Do you have/follow a favorite pro-racer? Who? Why? Fabian Cancellara and Vincenzo Nibali. Fabian, because he is Fabian. Nibali is from Sicily near where I was born, so he is basically a hometown guy. 20. What’s the most memorable and/or unusual thing you’ve seen/done on a bike ride? I had a chance to ride in Florence a couple years ago during a work sponsored trip. One ride I went up into the hills around Florence into some small country roads by vineyards and olive trees. As I was riding I heard classical music which made the whole experience seem surreal. It felt like I was in a dream. I stopped for a second to hear where the sound was coming from. There was a Villa nearby where musicians were practicing. I visited Italy many times int he past but never had a chance to ride. Visits would be centered around relatives and some tourist visits to the big cities. This was the first time I really experienced riding in Italy and it was fun. 21. What do you do during the winter months in preparation for the spring/summer season? I usually ride the rollers in the basement, go to the gym and lift weights. In the past I tried running and sometimes went to spinning classes. I also try to ride outside when it is nice. 22. What are your off season plans, goals? This year I will try to build on the fitness and weight loss from last year. Last winter I started working with Tim O’Shea and he helped me get down from 228lbs to 190lbs. The weight loss made a huge difference in racing and enjoyment of riding. This year I’ll try to get down a little more and just get better where I can. 23. How can CNY improve or build the race community? There are lots of good elements in place. The CX scene is strong and getting better with more races. There are clinics and impromtu training rides that gets lots of people showing up. The Wednesday Night Worlds are popular and run by great folks. Dave Tate has been doing a great job whipping up enthusiasm for racing and various fun events. So the trajectory is set. I would suggest trying to get younger riders involved where possible. There could also be some sort of tie in to races like the Syracuse Race Weekend where lead up training rides and races can get newbies ready for the ultimate challenge of a race. 24. Are you the most Italian bike rider in the Syracuse area? By heritage yes, I was born in Italy and moved here when I was 5. I did not speak English until first grade. By bike ownership I think I make have been sacrilegious by getting a Bianchi with Shimano and a Pinarello with SRAM. I need to make up for my lack of Campy in my bike stable and soon! Although my Italian tricolor Kask makes up for it since I bought it in Italy and Bike Loft East Team has Castelli kits. 25. provide us with a Haiku ! Riding in Pompey On an Italian bike without Campy Fausto Coppi cries
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 01:01:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015