The Ups and Downs of Professional Cycling, an Interview with Jeremiah Wiscovitch
By Suzy Degazon, xtri.com
2/10/09 - Ultra triathlete, cyclist and runner Suzy Degazon had the chance to sit down with Jeremiah Wiscovitch (formerly of Rock Racing) last week to share his thoughts of pro cycling and what he is looking forward to in the future…
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved in cycling?
My name is Jeremiah Wiscovitch and just turned 25, I come from a BMX racing background where I spent the last 4 years racing nationally all across the country. I really wouldn’t have even picked up a bike if it wasn’t for the owner of Incycle bicycles (Dominic Galenti) and my Dad (Al Wiscovitch), they were the ones that convinced me that road cycling was what it was going to take to step up my BMX racing. I entered a few road races and started winning right away and never looked back.
I understand you were a state champion in BMX, do you regret leaving the sport, that now your former competition is competing at Olympic level?
Yeah my time in BMX I was able to become California State Champion in my age group. I do not regret leaving BMX for one second; I have so many special memories in road cycling that I may have never had the chance to experience without leaving the sport. I think it is amazing to see guys I used to race every weekend taking their talents and hard work to the Olympic level. They truly deserve it after all the years of hard work!!
Jeremiah Wiscovitch leads the Rock Racing Team at the Barry Wolfe GP.
photo © Danny Munson
What was your transition from BMX to road cycling?
My transition to road cycling was faster than I would have ever imagined. I feel that BMX is a sport that is a stepping stone to just about anything you could ever want to do in life. It teaches you balance, coordination, and forced me to develop a real work ethic in order to become the athlete I am today. I really was a roadie in denial for a long time before I finally said “hey I’m a roadie!” Ha! BMX is and was a very special time for me and will always have a place in my life whether it’s watching it or dusting off my BMX bike and taking it to the local track.
How long did it take you to become a pro roadie?
I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to turn pro at the end of my second racing season. Team Sea Silver gave me my chance to debut at San Francisco GP where I got to race against the likes of US Postal, Saunier Duval, Domina Vascanze, etc, etc, really heavy hitters. I was in for a real eye opener that weekend. However to my surprise I was able to hang in with the front group until about 10-15 miles to go. I was fairly satisfied with my performance and I think Team Sea Silver was also and they signed me for the following year.
Who coached you and helped you develop so quickly?
When I first started cycling my Dad found me a coach named Eileen Olson who was an amazing influence in my life. Her constant positive thinking and coaching taught me that I had what it took to get to the pro ranks and do it extremely fast. Between Eileen, Dominic, and my Dad those three really are the ones that helped me develop and get me where I needed to be when I needed to be there.
Jeremiah Wiscovitch during the Glendora Time Trial at the San Dimas Stage Race.
photo © Danny Munson
So how many pro teams have you been with since turning pro?
I have been fortunate to have the support of 3 different pro cycling teams over the years. (Sea Silver, Successful Living, Rock Racing). The first two years I was lucky enough to ride under the direction of Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Hegg who is truly a world class person and one hell of a mentor. He always told me when I was ready my talents could take me as far as I could ever want to go. It was a real honor to ride for him and I cherish all the time I spent with him and hope maybe one day I will get the chance to work with him again.
My last two years I spent racing with Rock racing, where I have been lucky enough to build relationships that will last a lifetime.
Is being a pro everything you thought it would be?
This is really a tough question to answer, when you think of turning pro all you see are the cycling magazines and guys on TV winning big races. Then when you’re in the thick of it, it’s extremely tough and requires lots and lots of work. Being a Pro is so much more than glamour and glory; it’s an accomplishment from all your years of blood sweat and tears. Being a pro is amazing from Glory from winning bike races, blood from crashing at 40+ mph and tears from losing by a mere 1 second. So is it what I thought it would be? No it’s so much more!!
Was racing with RR as glamorous as they project i.e. the cars, the girls, uniform, planes helicopters…Good time to reminisce, about the good times…training and then the times you missed planes etc…
Rock Racing is one of the few teams out there that isn’t afraid to think outside the box. I think it showed time and time again. From the Helicopter Movie Promos, Lamborghinis at races or maybe just Mario Cippollini exiting a Rolls Royce at Tour of California. This team is and will always be run Mike's way or the highway. Is that a good thing? I guess only time will tell. It has definitely been a roller coaster ride of memories and experiences which I don’t think I would trade for anything in the world. I mean who else can say they got to meet Paris Hilton at a team party?
Racing with Rock Racing has been and will always be a special time in my life. We were able to put together a group of guys that just loved to race their bikes, and win lots of bike races along the way. I was able to really build some invaluable relationships over the years with my Rock Racing teammates that doesn’t just happen with any team.
I must say though Rock Racing's logistics and organization took a back seat to its glamorous style. I think I would have traded one of our Cadillacs any day to have a solid race schedule that I could train for, rather than never knowing where I will be next weekend. So at least I could roll to the starting line on an even keel. I guess in Hollywood image comes before anything else not excluding race schedules, travel itineraries or even locking in equipment sponsors in a timely fashion.
What was it like racing with the likes of Tyler Hamilton, Oscar Sevilla, and Freddy Rodriguez?
Racing with guys like them was a real honor and are memories that will stay with me forever. Those guys are the cream of the crop and can do some things that you would never think possible on a bicycle. I swear I think Oscar is actually a robot built in a lab just to cycle. The guy has so much talent he can do things that just blow your mind. It is amazing to race side by side these guys and hear each and every one of their stories and hear the sacrifices they had to make to get to where they are today. It is truly amazing and special in every aspect.
What are your plans for 2009?
I’m really excited about this upcoming year both on and off the bike. I have rejoined the cycling club (SC VELO) that I started with to give back and help up and coming cyclist that need direction. When I was in the club it always lacked elite riders to help people like myself to develop into a true professional. I hope to give a few guys on the team the direction they need to reach the level they want. I will be focusing on starting my own coaching business while studying to become a RN. It is a real exciting year for me, you can also look for me at the local California NRC races, and I will be there ready to show what a full time student can do against the full time pros. Ha-ha
What do you do in your off season?
During the off season I really enjoy anything and everything I can get into, from jet skiing, street bike riding, dirt biking, gravity biking, mountain biking and playing Xbox live. If it has wheels or a throttle you can count me in.
What is the key to successful racing at the pro level?
The key is just riding your bike, lots and lots of hours on the bike. Oh yeah, it doesn’t hurt to have Ice in your veins also!! Ha!
What tips would you give to cyclists wanting to be pro?
Just ride your bike and race it hard, don’t force it. If you have the talent and the drive you will find yourself there whether you like it or not.
Cover coaching, going back to school etc...
I’m real excited about starting my coaching business and giving back to riders that really want to step their cycling up to the next level, even if it is making the full distance at your local century ride or sticking it to your local pros. I want to help you reach the level of fitness you wish to be at. From my years of experience racing with world class athletes I think I have learned a lot of valuable knowledge that I can pass on to riders of different calibers.
While our economy continues to take a turn for the worse, I figured 2009 will be a year for me to focus on my future after cycling which is why I will be studying to be a RN while maintaining enough fitness to bang bars in the California NRC races.
Racing Highlights
1st Best Young Rider San Dimas Stage Race
1st Tour of Murrieta Overall GC
2nd Sprinters Jersey San Dimas Stage Race
7th U23 National Championship Crit
10th U23 national Championship RR
