Nico Haydar, age 16, started cycling 2 years ago and quickly rose the ranks being a Cat 3 on the road. Prior to cycling, his primary sport activity was karate, in which he earned a Junior Black Belt. Some of his notable achievements include being Indiana State Junior Crit Champion, 2nd at Snake Alley Criterium Men Junior 15-16, and many more. Next year, his goals include the following: upgrading to Cat 2, further developing his skills on the bike, and racing nationals and other large events in the country. Nico says, “I’m excited about joining CCA. I can already tell they truly care about developing their junior riders and I know we will accomplish great things in 2023!” “We are so excited to have Nico on the Cleveland Cycling Academy. 2023 is going to be an amazing year for him and it will be fun to watch him grow as a cyclist,” says CCA founder, Robert "Polo" Fernandez. Who do you admire the most? I enjoy following Remco Evenepoel because he is a young racer who was a junior not too long ago. He is also of similar build and height to me, which I can relate to. What was your favorite race in 2022? Joe Martin Stage Race because it was a combination of a road race, criterium, and a time trial. When you are not training how do you like to spend your time? I like solving puzzles, playing video games, playing cello, working at a bike shop, and spending time with my family.
Recent notable results include: • 2022 The Tour of St. Louis Omnium – TT Men Juniors 15-16 Open 4th place • 2022 The Tour of St. Louis Omnium – Saturday Men Juniors 15-16 Open 3rd place • 2022 The Tour of St. Louis Omnium – Saturday Cat 4 25th place • 2022 The Tour of St. Louis Omnium – Sunday Men Juniors 15-16 Open 4th place • 2022 The Tour of St. Louis Omnium – Sunday Cat 4 32nd place • 2022 Long Run Park Circuit Men 4/5 Cat 12th place • 2022 Long Run Park Circuit Men 3/4 Cat 17th place • 2022 Joe Martin Stage Race – Amateurs Men Cat 4/5 7th place • 2022 Joe Martin Stage Race - Amateurs TT Men Cat 4/5 6th place • 2022 Joe Martin Stage Race - Amateurs Crit Men Cat 4/5 12th place • 2022 Joe Martin Stage Race - Amateurs GC Men Cat 4/5 6th place • 2022 Friday Night Fever Twilight Criterium Men Elite Cat 4 4th place • 2022 Snake Alley Criterium Men Junior 15-16 2nd place • 2022 Snake Alley Criterium Men Elite Cat 4 15th place • 2022 42nd Melon City Criterium Men Junior 15-18 4th place • 2022 42nd Melon City Criterium Men Elite Cat 4 5th place • 2022 Kwik Star Criterium Men Elite Cat 4 5th place • 2022 USA Cycling Amateur Road National Champ – Crit Men Jr 15-16 Cat 123 29th place • 2022 Cobb Park Criterium Illinois State Championship Men Cat 3 19th place • 2022 Whiskey City Challenge Men 15-18 Junior 1st place • 2022 Whiskey City Challenge Men Cat 3/4 21st place • 2022 Northbrook Grand Prix Men Cat 1/2/3/4/Novice Junior 15-18 2nd place • 2022 Northbrook Grand Prix Men Cat 3 Elite 26th place • 2022 Elgin Classic in Memory of Dennis Jrs Men Cat 1/2/3/4/Novice Jr 15-18 8th place • 2022 Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium Men Cat 1-4/Novice Jr 15-18 5th place • 2022 Northwestern Medicine Lake Bluff Criterium Men Cat 3 Elite 25th place • 2022 W. Blair Grand Prix at Goose Island Beer Co Men Cat 1-4/Novice Jr 15-18 6th place • 2022 W. Blair Grand Prix at Goose Island Beer Company Men Cat 3 Elite 13th place • 2022 IU Health Momentum Indy – Saturday Cat 2/3 60th place • 2022 IU Health Momentum Indy – Sunday Men Juniors 9-18 Open 3rd place • 2022 IU Health Momentum Indy – Sunday Cat 2/3 38th place
