The Skylar Schneider Interview
Skylar Schneider at 19 years old is set to join Boels Dolmans as the youngest rider on the #1 UCI Women’s World Tour Team. She joins a stellar roster of World Champions, National Champions and Olympic Champions. Her domestic results and silver medal at the Junior World Championships told the world she was ready for a great future but her stage win in Thüringen against a World Tour field confirmed her progression to the top. She joins the likes of Lizzie Deignan, Anna van der Breggen, Megan Guarnier, Amy Pieters, Jip van den Bos, Amalie Dideriksen, Karol-Ann Canuel, Christine Majerus, Nikki Brammeier and world champion Chantal Blaak for her first full season in Europe.
TSH would like to thank the Hotel at Midtown , Chicago’s premiere fitness oasis, for hosting Skylar Schneider after returning from her Colombian Training camp.
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Luke Batten
Welcome home! I feel like it was just yesterday we were talking about your excitement getting off Junior Gears and now you are heading to Europe soon for your first races with Boels Dolmans? To me signing with Boels Dolmans is like getting a call from Serena Williams and being asked be her doubles partner at Wimbledon. When you are contacted by a team like Boels-Dolmans what does it feel like? exciting?, intimidating? mind-blowing? Can you tell us a bit about this process and your feelings in signing with the team?
Skylar Schneider
Crazy, right! Time flies, I remember counting down the races to when I would finally be through with junior gears! Signing with Boels Dolmans is certainly all of those things but most of all it is extremely motivating. I can vividly remember- because it really wasn’t that long ago- watching the team dominating races and thinking, “one day I want to be on that team.” So when the director first reached out to me, I thought it was a dream. No really, I read the initial e-mail before bed one night in Belgium, so when I woke up the next morning I anxiously checked my inbox to make sure it was there! I certainly feel like I’m in a position where a lot of people are watching what I do now and it’s my goal to lead by example with class and respect. I don’t feel any extra pressure, just positive motivation to work hard. I love being a cyclist, I’ve been doing it for 15 years, and hope to be in the sport for many more. It’s a beautiful thing when passion meets profession.
Luke Batten
I think a lot of people’s first or second question is going to be how does it feel to be racing on another team without your sister, Sam Schneider, because you two have been racing together for practically a decade. It is obvious you two are the best of friends and have been partners in crime in some of the most thrilling sprints on the domestic scene. Can you describe the emotions involved in this?
Skylar Schneider
It’s really hard and makes me sad! Growing up I always imagined that we would be teammates for our whole lives. We’ve traveled the World together and helped each other onto countless podiums, those memories and experiences are so special. It makes me crazy to imagine the day we will race against each other.. I know our mom and dad are already stressing about it, ha! Despite wearing different kits this year, I’m positive that our friendship will remain strong and we’ll still be The Schneider Sisters! That being said we’re both super competitive, there’s no way we’re going to make it easy on each other in races..
Luke Batten
Despite your age of 19 you have been racing for as long as some veterans. Many times I’ve personally witnessed you mentoring new riders on ISCORP with race advice, tactics, training. Seeing as you are the new kid on the block of the World Tour and the youngest team member will you miss this aspect of your role on the team?
Skylar Schneider
Honestly, sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m only 19! I do intend to keep in touch with my roots and hopefully continue to be a mentor and friend for the girls on ISCorp. But I also realize that I have a lot to learn on the World Tour level and I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for all of my new teammates, so I feel lucky to be the new kid on the block and to be learning from them.
Luke Batten
At TSH we have done a couple interviews with you and your sister. Plus you two wrote out the wonderful Letter to a Young Sprinter who many a Junior cyclist has mentioned to me reading. In fact I heard the post was emailed to entire Development teams as required reading. I think your younger fans are terribly excited about this next chapter in your life. I am wondering if you could share your thoughts on taking that next step as a young racer and maybe more importantly a young woman who is moving to Europe and away from family for the first time. How do you prepare? How do you deal with anxieties? What are some of the experiences you take with you to be successful in the future?
Skylar Schneider
I’m so happy to hear that! No doubt this year will be full of learning, but that’s also just a part of growing up. Most importantly I am mentally ready to embrace the ups & downs and make the most of the amazing opportunity that I have. Keeping in touch with “my” people & family back home will be really important. Not being scared to ask for help will also be important. I’ll take it day by day and not take a single moment for granted.
Luke Batten
I noticed on Instagram you were recently in Colombia training. This is not the first time you have ventured down there by yourself to get some winter miles. Can you tell us a bit about the country and what attracts you to the area.
Skylar Schneider
I really love Colombia, it’s one of my favorite places to go to. It was the first country I ever traveled to outside of the U.S. and have since been there four different times with the opportunity to experience different cities and meet many great people along the way. The training is unbeatable; both the views and the terrain provide for a cyclist’s dream, where the road less traveled could lead to the most stunning view imaginable or the steepest climb ever.
Part II. We will start the sentence and you finish it. ready set go!
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Boels Dolmans is…the best team in the World!
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I am reading…. Chanel: The Couturiere at Work.
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My guiltily pleasure is….riding vintage bikes to get frozen custard in the summertime with whoever happens to be staying in my home, I could do it every night and never bore of it.
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What I hope to learn in 2018…so many things! From learning to speak French and Dutch to driving a stick-shift car to time-trialing to making the perfect dish of gnocchi. Just to name a few!
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My morning ritual starts with….a French-press cup of coffee and avocado toast and ends with… getting on mi bicicleta!