Q&A with Pittsford Olympian Magnus Sheffield: ‘I’m so proud to represent the U.S.’

Magnus Sheffield grew up in Pittsford and became a professional cyclist as a teenager.

He is a veteran of three seasons on what is called the World Tour. And the 22-year-old graduate of The Harley School could remain at the highest level of professional cycling after signing a two-year contract extension with INEOS Grenadiers.

His career is on the rise, and he is considered one of the best American cyclists.

And when Sheffield heads to the road cycling events at the 2024 Paris Olympics on July 27, it will be “almost five times” that he has represented the United States. This will be his first Olympics.

More: How to watch Pittsford’s Magnus Sheffield in Olympic road cycling? Channel, streaming

“It’s definitely humbling,” Sheffield said. “I think back to when I started, not far from my home at the YMCA and around Bushnell Basin.

“It’s been a childhood goal of mine for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I think the Winter Olympics was the dream (because he competed as a skier).”

How common is it for someone to not only turn pro at a young age, but to have a place on the elite world circuit?

“Historically, it’s not very common. There were a few individuals (Remco Evenepoel, Quinn Simmons) who created a pathway. Now you see people going straight from the juniors to the pros. It’s not like football, where you have to go to college. It’s more like the NHL (National Hockey League), where you can go from the juniors to the NHL.

“Since Chris Froome, the age of the Tour de France winner has been decreasing.”

Does your family still live in Pittsford? How often do you see them or return there since the World Tour season runs from January to October?

“Not as much as I would like, once or twice a year for about a week.”

Where do you call home?

“Home is always hard. We travel a lot. It’s hard to say that a place is really home. We probably spent 130 nights in a hotel. It’s anywhere.”

“In an average week, it can range from 20 to 30+ hours of training on the bike. That doesn’t include running or anything in the gym.”

“Netflix did a great job of showing what the Tour de France is all about. Unchained It’s a good insight into what cycling is, what it means and represents in the European environment.”

Sheffield said he is also fluent in Norwegian and can speak “a little” Spanish and French.

Do you see yourself in another Olympics?

“I’m very proud to be Norwegian, (Norway) is where my mother is from. There is a possibility that I could represent Norway in another one. I’m very proud to represent the USA.”

“It’s very special. In cycling, we don’t get to represent our country because we’re representing a team like the Yankees or the Red Sox, for example.”

James Johnson, who grew up in Rochester and is a graduate of Edison Tech in the Rochester City School District, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. Follow him @jjDandC on X (Twitter). You can reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Magnus Sheffield to compete for U.S. cycling at Olympics: Q&A