Diego Binatena from La Vista on Vimeo.
By Amanda Newell
Staff Writer
When peddling on his bike in a race, freshman Diego Binatena can generate enough watts to power a 50-inch TV, three light bulbs and a Nintendo Wii.
From August 3-23, Binatena helped the USA National Cycling Team win the Tour of Flanders and the Heestert Kermesse, in Belgium. Although Binatena raced alongside high-level cyclists in Europe, he has only been biking competitively for the last two years.
“I originally started on mountain bikes with my dad,” Binatena said. “At first it was a hobby that I took up on the weekends, until I started riding on my mom’s old cycling cross bike. Then I decided I should get serious with it.”
Binatena has been around cycling for most of his life and is the third generation of cyclers in his family.
“My whole family cycles,” Binatena said. “I was born into it. It’s pretty much what I grew up around.”
Binatena attended the USA Cycling West Coast Development Camp in Colorado last summer, where he advanced his skills as a rider. There, he met Larry Nolan, his future manager and founder of the camp. Not long after the camp ended, Binatena received a phone call from Nolan.
“I went up to the camp to have fun, but a couple of months later, Larry called me and asked if I would join Team Specialized,” Binatena said.
Joining Team Specialized was Binatena’s first major step professionally in his biking career. Throughout the year, he has competed with 13 teammates and won many races, including the Sea Otter Classic road race in April and the Jr. State Championship in July.
“Diego has done very well and is becoming a developing rider,” team manager Nolan said. “He is a very quiet person, which is a good characteristic to have, because during a race, he speaks with his legs, not his mouth.”
On average, Binatena bikes 200 miles on weekends and 100 miles during the week. For most of his practice, Binatena trains at the Velodrome track in Carson.
“When I go to the track, I work on sprinting on my bike,” Binatena said. “It’s important to have a good sprint at the end of a race if you want to beat the other guy.”
Binatena’s dreams include making a career out of his racing, being a part of a European-based team and competing in the Olympics someday in the future. With his abilities and talents he knows his goals are in very near reach.
“I also want to go professional as a 17 year old. That’s one of my biggest goals of my life. I think if I stay on track, I have a pretty good chance to achieve whatever I set my mind to,” Binatena said.
Leland Lesnever/ La Vista
Diego is going places. Finishes like a Gator, grabs ahold of a win and won’t let go.