Biography
Little did Vince know when he took up cycling less than four years ago that he’d be aspiring to commit his all to in an effort to race at the highest level. As it happens, the Central Valley is conducive to building strong cycling skills: climbing, time-trialing, and descending. Those hard days into the winds across the valley combined with his natural competitive inclination brings into perspective the direction he finds his life now taking.
Having graduated with a BA in philosophy from CSU-Fresno in 2003, he undertook the challenge of going on the road to play tennis as a professional — an experience that took him across the United States, Europe and to Africa. Not realizing when he bought his first ‘real’ bicycle in October 2005 he’d become so zealous about the sport of cycling. And after thirteen years of playing tennis competitively, through the camps, through high school, and finally through college and on the pro circuit, he opted for a change.
He quickly discovered the local regional racing club, where he received mentoring from some very experienced and accomplished riders, all of whom encouraged him to race. This, of course, led him through the typical course of cycling, and in 2006 he dabbled and had some success. Vince worked his way through the ranks, racing as prior commitments allowed, to a Category 3 rider by the middle of the year.
In 2007 he began the year as a Cat 3 and with a few more wins earned enough points for his Cat 2 upgrade by February. That is when the education began. He was fortunate in enjoying some success even at this high level and was able to get his Cat 1 upgrade by the end of the year, but was always aware that there will be much more to learn. Over the winter of 2007 he decided to make a full commitment to cycling and quit his full-time job and take on a job that was less demanding of his time. This allowed him to put in many hours on the bike and his fitness drastically improved. Over the last two years he has raced as a category 1 cyclist and has continued to work very hard at improving his fitness. He has raced over 60 times this season and has gotten consistant results through out the year. He has had a chance to travel to such stage races as Tour of Gila, Mt. Hood Stage Race, Cascade Stage Race and Tour of Utah. These races were very tough, but also great experience for him. It was humbling at times, but also a chance to see the best competition in the country. He knows if he continues to work hard and improve like he has over the last 4 years he will be able to make a major impact at this level.
His goal for the upcoming year with the Yahoo! team is to continue to get solid results and to improve his race strategy. He plans on working very hard this winter and believes he will once again see considerable improvement. Over the next year he would like to race throughout the United States, and race a full NRC schedule. He believes his abilities as a consistent climber and an aspiring all-arounder make his well suited for contributing to a team in both the single and the multi-day races.
Race Results
2009
Spring Hill RR: 1st place
Palm Bluffs Crit: 1st place
Clovis Old Town Crit: 1st place
Folsom South Canal Time Trial:2nd place
Wards Ferry RR: 2nd place
Leesville Road Race:3rd place
Camp San Louis Road Race: 3rd place
Patterson Pass Road race: 3rd place
Sisquoc Road Race: 5th place
Ventura stage race: 5th overall, 6th on stage 3
Santa Barbara RR: 6th place
UCLA RR (pro 1/2): 7th place
Madera Stage Race: 7th overall
Pescadero RR: 8th place
Boulevard RR: 10th place
Vacaville District Crit: 12th place
Nevada City Bike Classic: 13th place
Sea Otter RR: 13th place
Sea Otter Circuit Race: 16th place
Mt. Hood Stage Race: 21st overall
Tour of Gila Stage 1: 43rd
2008
Coyote Creek Circuit Race: 1st place
Mt. Ashland Hill Climb: 1st place (course record)
Northern California Cal Cup Series: 2nd Overall
Pine Flat Road Race: 2nd place
Spring Hill Road Race: 2nd place
Patterson Pass Road Race: 2nd place
Challenge Road Race: 2nd pace
Mt. Shasta Hill Climb: 2nd place
Madera Stage Race: GC, 4th place
Ben Hur Hill Climb: 6th place
Daulton Road Race: 3rd place
Sharon Time Trial: 10th place
Santa Cruz Crit: 7th place
San Ardo Road Race: 9th place
Central Valley Classic Crit: 9th place
Timpani Crit: 9th place
Sea Otter Road Race: 9th place
Pescadero Road Race: 9th place
Winters Road Race: 10th place
University Road Race: 11th place
Elite National Road Race: 13th place
Snelling Road Race: 14th place
Sisquoc Road Race: 14th place
Fort Ord District Road Race: 15th place
Mt. Hamilton Road Race: 16th place
Nevada City Bicycle Classic: 18th place
Boulevard Road Race: 19th place
2007
EMC Criterium: 1st place
Memorial Day Crierium: 3rd place
Panoche Valley Road ace: 4th place
Dinuba Criterium: 4th place
Modesto Criterium: 5th place
Salinas Criterium: 6th place
Copperopolis Road Race: 9th place
Sea Otter Road Race: 13th place
Berkeley Hills Road Race: 13th place
Snelling Road Race: 16th place
