Parenteau Loses Pursuit to Ex-Olympian Nitz

Roger Parenteau did not get into cycling with both eyes open. Six years ago, he merely started commuting to and from work--Pacific Beach to downtown San Diego--on a bike as a means to stay in shape.

He never envisioned himself becoming a world-class cyclist.

Of course, when you’re blind in one eye, it’s difficult to envision yourself becoming a world-class anything in regards to athletics.

At 23, Parenteau lost the use of his left eye; the result of an explosion that also temporarily deafened him. He was in the Navy then and had never competed in sports.

It wasn’t until two years ago, at age 34, that he entered and won his first race. Appropriately, it was the 3,000-meter individual pursuit--an event where two riders start on opposite sides of the oval and try to catch each other.

Last year, he won the Masters World Cup championship in his first attempt. He also won the Masters national title three weeks after breaking his collarbone in a training fall.

Entering Friday’s pursuit race at the 1991 Masters World Cup at the Velodrome in Balboa Park, Parenteau had never lost in the event.

Going against four-time Olympian Leonard “Harvey” Nitz, however, Parenteau’s streak ended.

Parenteau led after eight laps in the nine-lap final, but Nitz, who won a bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics and has won 28 national titles in his 19-year career, took advantage of his experience, kicked and managed to pull out a slim victory.

Nitz’ time of 3 minutes, 38.825 seconds was the fastest Masters time recorded at sea level, and it gave him his first World Cup championship. Parenteau’s mark of 3:40.06 was a personal best.

“I finally got humbled,” Parenteau said with a grin. “Somebody finally got to me.”

Nitz’s victory was a revenge of sorts, since Parenteau had edged him Thursday in the 1,000-meter time trials.

“I can’t believe how strong he is,” Nitz said, “especially for someone with so little experience.”

Not to mention, only one good eye.

“He’s so new to this, he doesn’t even know what he’s doing,” said Maureen Mitton, Parenteau’s girlfriend. “And he never uses his sight as an excuse. He never says ‘Just think how good I would be if I could see like everyone else.’

“It’s amazing what he’s been able to do. Try shutting your eye and riding sometime. I’ve tried it, it’s near impossible.”

Not to mention dangerous.

“When he was first learning to ride, he would cut you off all the time,” said Meg Berry, a World Cup competitor from San Diego. “He couldn’t see you coming up from behind. It was real scary sometimes because you didn’t know what to expect. He’s come a long way since.”

Said Parenteau, “It’s a little scary in mass races. But in individual rides, it’s not much of a hindrance.”

Despite defeat in the 3,000 pursuit, Parenteau said he was generally pleased with his new bike--a specially built Holland. He just started using it Thursday, and said he plans to take it with him to next month’s nationals, also at the Velodrome.

“Last year, I just had a Friday night racer. The (new) bike really made the difference today.”

As for the future, Parenteau said he’s not sure what he will do. “Next thing is masters bowling,” he joked. “I know I can train myself to do that.”

Seriously, he added, “I have a job. I’m 36. I’m not going to the Olympics. I’m not going to the Pan-Am Games. I just love doing this. It’s a lot of fun.”

Look for him to continue in cycling.