Interview with Wilson

Century Central's Mihael Ginghina sat down with team Mengoni's Wilson Vasquez in his home in Piermont, NY. Overlooking the Hudson River and the well known road that most NYC cyclist use on their way to Nyack's Runcible Spoon, Wilson and I to discussed his plans for the upcoming season and life's little changes.

Wilson started his road career with team Sony Music in 1993 and quickly became one of the best regional riders. He established himself by winning the CRCA Club Championship three times. Because he is virtually unbeatable in Central Park, Wilson was recruited by Mr. Isendorf to ride for team GS Mengoni. That year he was the first rider riding for GS Mengoni that won Central Park's jewel race the GS Mengoni. Wilson repeated that feat winning the race three more times in his career. It seems no matter what pro riders come to town, when it comes to Central and Prospect Park, they have to come past Wilson if they are to win.

CC: Wilson, The Spring Series started today, and as you have won the overall five times in the your career you were noticeably missing.

WV: I'm not in shape to race yet. Priorities changed a bit for me this year with the birth of my third boy Jonnah, and new job as Real Estate sale associate.

CC: With the exception of one year where you raced full time you have always managed a full time job, father of two boys, and were in top shape through out the whole season. What makes this year different?

WV: I got married to my first wife very young. By the time I started racing Jeremy (now 12 years old) and Darielle (now 10 years old) were older. As you know having a new born is much more demanding. Being a real estate sales associate is great because I can spend a lot of time with my son Jonnah, as I work from home quite a bit. However, I don't have the luxury of a fixed schedule where I know I'm going to train. I use to also commute to work on a bicycle, which was 40 miles round trip, now I work two blocks away, and I drive there.

CC: How do you plan to get back into shape?

WV: I shaved my legs for the first time in months yesterday. I'm telling myself, it's time to race! I don't have a specific plan, I just need to loose some weight, and ride my bike.

CC: How much weight do you need to loose?

WV: A lot! My racing weight is 180 lbs, and now I'm about 210 lbs. I've done it before, so I'm not really worried.

CC: I noticed that you have a bass guitar, do you play that often?

WV: I have recently. It really helps me unwind at the end of the day. I used to play the guitar when I was younger and stopped for a few years, now I'm really enjoying it again.

CC: Do you play by yourself or with others?

WV: Almost always by myself, or with a video of Louis Johnson, although I did met with Louis and Dave (Toga and Gothem bike shop owners) last week and that was a lot of fun, so we may make it a regular thing.

CC: Do you have any other interest?

WV: There is one more thing that I have always wanted, and that is a boat. Living so close to the river and having a marina right here is making to hard to resist. I still have to look over the numbers a little more closely and see what we can afford, but I'm definitely planning on spending some time on the water this year.

My time with Wilson was quickly interrupted as his lovely wife Sherri walked in with their 9th month old boy Jonnah. Clearly Wilson has other things on his plate besides bicycle racing. However, if Marty Northstein, Joe Papp or any other top Pro's and amateur want to win the GS Mengoni, they still have to pass Wilson before the finish line if they are to win.

Photo credit: Stephen Chang