While most three-year-olds are learning to ride tricycles, Jake Pinhancos was riding his very first four-wheeler. When he turned four, he graduated to a dirt bike, and since then, he’s never looked back. Now, ten years later, the 14-year-old Rochester teen is taking his riding talents to the international stage to compete in the 2012 FIM Junior Motocross World Championships in Sevlievo, Bulgaria.
“I was speechless, to be honest,” said Pinhancos when he learned he would be traveling to Bulgaria at the end of August. “I found out about two weeks before the competition that I would be going.”
Pinhancos began competing at the age of four, but it wasn’t until 2010 when he became more competitive. Then he began training at Capeway Rovers in Carver three to four times per week in both the morning and at night. The hard work started paying off when he earned his first international motocross trip to France in 2010.
“Until 2010, I was just one of the normal kids going to all the races and having fun,” said Pinhancos. “But 2010 was the year I went out and dominated everything. I started getting more competitive and had to train more.”
In order to make it to the highest level of motocross, hard work and dedication are both essential, as is sacrifice. Pinhancos is homeschooled in order to better suit his training schedule. During the winter months, he trains in Florida. His mother, Suzanne, who bought him his first four-wheeler at age three, is his trainer and is responsible for monitoring his diet. She has even ridden a dirt bike. In addition to his mother, Pinhancos’ father and sister are also key contributors to his success.
“They support me a lot, and they gave up a lot of stuff so I could ride and I’m very thankful for that,” said Pinhancos.
Every athlete must face adversity during his or her career, and Pinhancos is no exception. Following his trip to France in 2010, Pinhancos broke his leg not once, but twice in 2011, sidetracking him from training.
“It was pretty hard,” said Pinhancos. “I spent a month to a month and a half trying to get my leg healed up. I started getting more comfortable and then I broke it again, unfortunately. I spent another four to five weeks getting that healed up. Two months after that, I got back up to my speed and started getting faster and faster.”
Pinhancos’ talents on the bike have earned him recognition and high honors such as FIM Champion Youth Rider of the Year. At just 14 years old, he’s accomplished so much on the track, taking his talents to the international stage. Still, there’s much more this teen wants to accomplish.
“I’m hoping to turn pro when I turn 16 or 18 because that’s the legal age limit to turn pro,” said Pinhancos. “But for now, I’m going to focus on my amateur career and what lies in front of me.”
Despite all the titles and the international success, the reason Pinhancos rides remains quite simple.
“I think the best part is being able to be myself and do what I love to do and do what I want to do,” he said.
By Katy Fitzpatrick
