Brent Emery

Brent Emery

Personal information
Born	(1957-09-15) September 15, 1957 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Medal record Men's Cycling Representing  United States Olympic Games LA 1984 Team pursuit

Brent Emery (born September 15, 1957) was a cyclist for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he won a silver medal in the team pursuit.^[1] He is now a business owner and cycling advocate in the metro Milwaukee area.

Cycling career

Emery began racing bicycles in 1973. At 18 years old, he was a regional qualifier for the 1976 Olympic trials in the sprint event, though he did not participate in the final trials. He won the 1980 Olympic trials in the 1 km event. Because of the boycott of the Moscow Olympic Games by the U.S. team, no American athletes went to Moscow.

He won seven USA National Championships: two in the USAC 1 km event (1980 & 1981) and the USAC Points Race 1983. Four championships came in the ABR (American Bicycle Racing) National Championships in the Masters Division. In 1981, Emery set a world mark for the fastest average speed in races over 100 miles by winning the 10th stage of the Tour of Chile in 3h 33min 25 sec for the 174 km (108 miles), a 30.2 mph average speed. This mark, which was the fastest in the world up to that point for amateurs and professional cyclists, stood for about 15 years.

In 1984, he again made the U.S. Olympic team, receiving a silver medal, from his team mate Dave Grylls, in the Los Angeles Olympics in the 4000 meter Team Pursuit event. The medal was not without controversy. While not illegal at the time, the US team blood boosted, a procedure that was banned within the year after the Olympics.^[1]

Emery won overall titles at the International Cycling Classic in 2009 and 2010 for the 35+ age group. He placed 6th in three events (750m TT, Points Race and Team Sprint) at the 2007 World Masters Cycling Track Championships in Sydney, Australia.

Cycling business

Emery co-owns Emery's Cycling, Triathlon, & Fitness Shops in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his brother, Bennett Emery. The business was founded by his parents in 1963.

Emery has also been involved in the design of cycling equipment. In 1981, he designed the first of what would later be called the funny bikes that propelled the USA to a record medal haul at the 1984 Olympics. That bike, built to Emery's specifications by John Stinsmen of Allentown, Pennsylvania helped persuade the U.S. Cycling Federation (now USA Cycling) to build the fastest bikes in the world.

In 1982, Emery was the first rider from the USA to ride a disc wheel, which was made for the USA team by aerodynamics expert Chester Kyle. In 1987, Emery became involved in the development of a new style of aerodynamic handlebars.

Emery has worked on bicycle fitting and equipment for many years. His concepts, along with that of other cycling industry professionals (Frank Day, Leonard Zinn, High Sierra Cycles etc.) influenced some bicycle companies to put shorter cranks on production bicycles for short riders, especially for the triathlon.

Emery has volunteered for Variety: The Children's Charity, adapting bicycles for children with special needs. In 2011, Variety International presented him with an award for service at its world conference.

References