Vincent Oliver is one of the greatest riders our area has ever produced. He has been a joy to watch and race with for almost as long as I can remember. I first raced with him in a spring series when he rode for Lenny and Toga. He has been national champion and has won just about eveything there is to win around here and elsewhere but I’ll let him tell you that. It is always hard to get him to talk, and pictures are even harder. I found two but no closeups. Vince is quiet and deadly, with a nose for the finish line. I think this is a good way to end this series. We’ve talked about Major Taylor and worked our way to our own Major Taylor.

enjoy campocat.

 

JC Vince when did you start racing? Was Toga your start? Where did Lenny Prehime find you? It seemed to me you just appeared one day, and Randy Willier said to me they had to breakaway because if it came down to a sprint you couldn’t be beat.

 

VO I started racing in 1989 as an unattached rider. My first race was on the track at Trexlertown where I finished last. I didn’t “ give up” that easily. I realized that I went out too fast, too early and I had to correct that for the following races. After correcting that mistake I started racing from the back and sprinting with one lap to go, managing to pass everyone except for the first one or two riders. Therefore, I was never winning, always finishing 2nd or 3rd. A few people spoke to me at the track, and said “You have a lot of speed, and I should start racing closer to the front of the field.” After taking the advice I won five of the last six races of the 1989 season at TTown.

I first met Lenny at the track in Kissena Park, where district championships were being held in 1990. Back then you had to qualify for nationals through district championships. I finished 3rd at districts that year. Lenny saw me racing and asked me to join the Toga team, and I responded “I will let you know in a couple of days.” I told him this because I had never raced for a team before and I wanted to ask around to find out if Toga was a good team or not. I didn’t want to be a rider that was new to cycling and jumping from team to team.

 

JC I know Lenny must’ve had you doing every dicipline. Did you do any stage racing?

 

VO Yes, Lenny had me involved in many types of racing, criteriums, circuit races, and a couple of stage races which I never finished.

 

JC When did Lenny have you track racing? 

 

@##=#<1,L>@##=#VO I was racing the track when I met Lenny. At that time I only owned a track bike and that was the only racing I was doing. After I told Lenny I would join the team, he gave me a road bike and said that I should race on the road as well, because it would improve my track racing. I agreed to take the road bike and started racing on the road. My first criterium was the Queens cycling classic, where I finished in 6th place in the category 4 race.

 

JC I know they loved you at TTown. Did you ever get approched for the national team in any capacity, Road, Track, Sprinter, Tandem, whatever?

 

VO No.

 

JC Do you have any memorable races that stand out in your mind? I remember you fought it out with Wilson most recently at the Floyd Series. For years Eugene wanted the track series championship but always came in second to you. 

 

VO Of course the most memorable is winning the national tandem championship at TTown in 1996 with tandem pilot Kirk Whiteman. But there are many others that stand out in my mind such as the tour of Sleepy Hollow, which is a crit held in Tarrytown. This race stands out in my mind, because, it was a difficult course with at least 6 corners and a short hill. I felt pretty good during the entire race, I took a couple of primes and won the race by attacking on the hill. When I attacked no one came with me, and I got such a gap on the field that when I came through the last corner I looked back and didn’t see anyone and cruised to the line for an easy victory, without sprinting.

 

JC You were always busy on Friday night at TTown while I was stuck on Tuesdays, so I never saw you and the pros thrash it out.  I heard about it second hand, especially the national championship win.  

 

VO Yes I was busy on Friday nights. Friday nights were the most exciting part of my cycling career because I enjoyed track racing so much. I loved the speed, excitement, and the adrenaline is high.

 

JC What is happening now? The team looks like a great project. It is with your old team mates from Sony, Kevin and Rob. Can we look foward to more racing from you, or coaching, possibly a world championship?

 

@##=#<2,R>@##=#VO Now, I am working a lot and riding very little with plans of doing more riding. Most of my riding in the future will be in Masters races. The team is a great project and Rob Brown is doing a hell of a job putting things together. I plan to be more involved in the upcoming year. I would like to be involved in the development of up and coming riders.

 

JC The Tour of France is on now, and all the excitment of our own Georgie in the yellow jersey is just amazing. I have been asked by a young boy years ago who I now consider to be a son, if I thought he could ever be in the Tour of France. I did not know what to say to him, except to say that I would do everything in my power to see he had a chance. What is your opinion of why the pro peloton is lacking in color. Do you think we will ever see a more diverse field in the grand tours.  

 

VO No comment.

 

JC You helped me whenever I have asked, especially in the Harlem Velodrome project I tried, and failed. At least we have gotten Kissena fixed now and you helped with the grand re-opening day. I want to thank you for all the great races you have given us over the years, that I’ve watched and participated in. You have always been the complete gentleman and sportsman.  I hope we haven’t seen you hang up your wheels.  

VO No comment.

 

Well folks that is an answer in itself now isn’t it. I told Vince he did not have to answer the controversal questions if he did not want to. I can ask them though because they bothered me when he and others were overlooked at the time, and it still bothers me. I have heard all the why’s and what-not’s, but the truth is the talent was there. He was overlooked for help and consideration for whatever reason. No one should ever apologize for who they are; Major’s legacy lives on.

the cat