Courtney Diemar

“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to is.” - Vince Lombardi

Nickname: Coco

D.O.B.: 4/16/2004

Birth city and state: West Lebanon, NH

Current City: Naperville, IL

Height: 4’10

Specialty: TT and Crits

Previous sports: Triathlon

Years racing: 2

Coco’s cycling career started with local mountain bike races when she five while living in Eagle, Colorado and she won her first Triathlon National Championship at the age six. In 2010, Coco was featured in Sport Illustrated for Kids for her accomplishments. She has continued to podium at the Triathlon National Championships the last four years. In 2014, Coco was finally old enough to compete in USA Cycling Road Nationals Championships and she placed second in the road race and time-trial. She finished the weekend with a win in the criterium to become the 9-10 National Champion.

2015 was a very successful year for Coco, s podiumed in the crit and time trail at cycling nationals after aging up to a new age group. She also became a National Triathlon Champion at the USA Triathlon National Championships in West Chester, OH. She was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces In the Crowd” and “SINOW”. Her goal is to show other young girls that being a competitive cyclist is “cool” and to inspire youths to lead a healthy lifestyle. Coco is an honor roll student, who loves to volunteer at beach cleanups and help others with projects. She aspires to be a professional bike racer and teacher.

Career Highlights (example)

  • 2015 National Triathlon Champion
  • 2014 Criterium National Champion
  • 2014 SouthEast Cycling Champion Road Race and Criterium
  • 2010 Ironkids National Champion

2015

  • 4th USA Cycling Championships Time Trial and Criterium
  • 1st Illinois State Road Race Champion
  • MMTT Youth Triathlon Champion
  • 2nd Lacrosse Omnium

2014

  • 2nd USA Cycling Championships Criterium and Time Trial
  • Florida State Time Trial Champion
  • 2nd Triathlon National Championships

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

My parents and sister all inspired me to start bike racing. I started competing in mountain bike races when I was 5 and triathlons when I was 6. I love bike racing because I get to draft!

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?

My dad and mom inspire me all the time! My dad works hard every day, so we are able to do what we love and want to do. It makes me want to train and race hard, so he realizes I appreciates it. My mom coaches and trains with me. I love that she is fast enough to stay with me and we get time alone together every day.

Favorite meal when training?

Pizza! And Sausage.

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Traveling to cool places, meeting new people and every year improving and getting better results.

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Winning the 2014 Criterium National Championships in Madison, WI. I got second in the RR and TT so I was ready and excited to finally get on the top step.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

Eagle, Co is an awesome place to race. We lived there when I was 6 and that is where is started to ride. There are great parks for mountain bike races and great paths to train on.

Favorite cross training or off-season activity?

Running, biking, swimming and yoga

Best tip for a new bike racer?

Don’t be afraid to race! It may seem scary at first, but once you start you will not want to stop. There is nothing better than riding with a pack and sprinting to the finish.

What are one or two things that you do daily that are the key to your success?

I get a ton of sleep (if not too much homework!) and I “try” to eat healthy foods.

If you weren’t bike racing what would you be?

A teacher

What is something that nobody would know about you?

That I am obsessed with the show FRIENDS and watched all ten seasons over 4 months!

TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015. http://teamtwenty16.com/education.htm

Why is continued education important?

It is important for me to go to college, because one day I want to be a teacher. I love to teach others things that I know and watching others learn something new. My teachers are some of the smartest people I know and they all had to attend college.

What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you?

It means a bunch of cyclists working together to create opportunities for people to race and enjoy their bikes.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

  1. RELAX!
  2. Hangout with my friends
  3. Read
  4. Shop
  5. Sleep

Top 10 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:

  1. Uma Thurman-Fall Out Boy
  2. Animals-Maroon 5
  3. Walking on Air-Katy Perry
  4. 4.Eye of the Tiger-Survivor
  5. 5.Irrestible-Fall Out Boy
  6. 6.Lose Yourself-Eminem
  7. 7.What do you mean?-Justin Bieber
  8. 8.Maps-Maroon 5
  9. 9.Good to be alive-Andy Grammer
  10. Hold it Against me-Britney Spears

SRAM Felt Bicycles ZIPP Quarq Athlos Kenda Tire