A Tale of Two Enzos: American Cycling’s Next Generation Is on the Rise

Published November 28, 2023 11:00AM

Enzo Ferrari is probably the most famous Enzo on this planet. His eponymous cars are known not only for their elegance but also for pure speed. Making their way up through the US junior ranks are a couple of Enzos who are already showing both elegance and speed on the bike. If all goes according to plan they will soon be joining the crop of young American talent who are already showing their prowess in the European pro peloton.

Fifteen-year-old Enzo Hincapie grew up in a cycling culture in Greenville, South Carolina. His father, George, really needs no introduction as his 19-year career as a professional cyclist includes wins and podiums in the biggest races on the European pro calendar.

“Ever since I was a kid I always looked up to him and he inspired me so much,” says the younger Hincapie. “Every once in a while when I’m training with my dad I get memories of him having to push me up hills and cheer me on to complete a 30-minute ride.”

Sixteen-year-old Enzo Edmonds hails from Brooklyn and began his career racing in the Junior 9-10 division in Central Park after joining the Star Track youth cycling club which has a long history of developing young talent. One of his first victories that year was at the CRCA Hincapie Classic, named for a racer who also began his racing career in New York City in the 1980s.

Both Enzos realized they had a lot to learn about cycling. “I learned so much from my dad like how to work hard, how to appreciate the bike and the places it can take me and what it can bring me,” says Enzo Hincapie. “And also, I am very appreciative to be able to have Bobby Julich as my coach and ride with Christian [Vande Velde] and the guys on weekends as well.”

“One of the most important things I’ve learned as I’ve grown older and progressed is the importance of keeping it fun, especially when you’re younger,” explains Enzo Edmonds. “I’m glad that I didn’t take it super seriously when I was 11 or 12 and I am still really enjoying riding my bike. In the end that’s what’s most important.”

Star Track introduces its young riders to racing on the velodrome which is something Edmonds still enjoys. “My preference still lies with the track. There’s something about flying around the corners above 60kph with no brakes, surrounded by other racers that gives you a thrill that road cycling can’t.”

Edmonds, with the help of former professional cyclist John Eustice, has had the opportunity to live, train, and race in Europe to continue his apprenticeship. He stayed with the Cartier family in France in 2022 and the De Roo family in Belgium in 2023. “Staying in Europe with true cycling families turned my trips into so much more than just bike racing,” says Edmonds. “I was fully immersed in a completely different culture and I gained memories that will last my entire lifetime. They both do so much to support me and I am in contact with them almost every day.

“Their cycling knowledge is also key to my European successes. Their guidance before the races helps me prepare mentally and after the races we talk about what I did right, or wrong, and how to incorporate what I’ve learned in my next race.”

Not surprisingly, both Enzos have been riding well and racking up some impressive wins. “I believe my biggest accomplishment in my cycling career so far was the 2023 15-16 USA National Championships,” says Hincapie. “The reason being is because I was able to break away in the road race with two others and put nine minutes on the peloton and win the sprint to accomplish my third national championship win! That feeling of winning never gets old.”

“I think my biggest accomplishment so far was my win in Belgium this past summer,” remembers Enzo Edmonds. “I had been there for three weeks, learning and adjusting my racing style to the fast-paced, all-out Belgian style. I had come close to winning a few times and was consistently in the top-10. I was also winning most of the bunch sprints, but just couldn’t hit the top of the podium. Then, on a rainy and windy day in Egem, I forced a break of seven guys and was able to finish it off in the final sprint. That race made me realize that I don’t always have to wait until the end of the race to sprint it out, but that I am someone who can make something happen.”

While Edmonds’ sprinting ability is unquestioned, he admits that his climbing and time trials could use some work. “Although they both improved significantly in 2023, I need more time on the TT bike to really be able to contend. Unfortunately, since I live in New York City, there aren’t many places nearby that I can work on climbing,” explains Edmonds, who joined Toby Stanton’s highly successful Hot Tubes program this year.

Enzo Hincapie seems to have the opposite problem. “I think the main area I can improve is sprinting. Sprinting is a very challenging area in the sport of cycling, it takes so much focus, split second decisions, and power. But I still strive to improve every area of the sport because I am still young and can always be stronger.”

Both Enzos would ultimately like to race full time in Europe and represent the US in the Olympics and World Championships. Edmonds has big-time aspirations on the track as well.

Edmonds has some sound advice for other racers making their way up the ranks. “Never give up. Even if you’re off the back with 50k to go, finish the race. In Belgium this summer, I went down in one of the races and I didn’t finish. Afterwards I regretted not pushing all the way to the end. However, in my next race, my chain fell off with about 40k to go and I was a minute and a half behind the peloton when I got back on the bike. I told myself that I was going to try my hardest to finish the race no matter the cost. I ended up off the front of the field on the next lap and finished in the top-five.”

“If I had to give advice to a young rider just starting out I would tell them to just have fun, try different disciplines, and don’t take the sport too seriously as a young kid,” adds Enzo Hincapie.

And what has happened when the two Enzos have raced against each other? “I have raced against Enzo [Hincapie] a few times, the first being the 2021 US Junior Road National Championships,” explains Edmonds. “He narrowly beat me in the TT, but I returned the favor by winning the road race. Our most recent matchup was at the Green Mountain Stage Race, where he beat me in the GC by one second. We always have fun racing against each other and we are great friends off the bike as well.”

Both Enzos have a bright future. They have been brought up in great environments and with quality, caring individuals looking out for them. Oh, and yeah, they are highly talented and motivated. Much like the legendary cars built by their namesake they will only get better with age.