AVA SYKES

“The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow” - Unknown

D.O.B.: 01/28/2002

Birth city and state: St. Petersburg, FL

Current City: Seminole

Height: 5’7”

Specialty: Criteriums

Previous sports: Triathlon

Years racing: 4

Ava is a 13 year old female cyclist from St.Petersburg Florida who fell in love cycling at an early age. Ava started out doing triathlon after watching her cousin, Sarah compete at a local triathlon. She did her first triathlon at six years old and got third place. Ava won the IronKids Triathlon National Championship at 8 and has been doing them consistently ever since. Ava has been a member of Triton Elite Multisport Triathlon Team which is a USAT High Performance team and most recently with Stradalli/Wizard Racing Cycling team where she gained a lot of racing experience.

Ava attends Pinellas Preparatory Academy as an 8th grader and is a honor roll student. She is on the school cheer squad, yearbook and also runs track. Her favorite subject is Forensic Science. After high school her goal is to attend a great college. This year Ava plans on racing on the track and attending her first CX Nationals in January of 2016. Being on Twenty16 has been a goal for Ava; to be included on a team that is mentored by other junior & elite women cyclists. She is looking forward for an exciting racing experience in 2016!

Career Highlights

  • 1st USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Criterium - 2014
  • 2nd USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Time Trial - 2014 
  • 2nd USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Road Race - 2014
  • Overall Champion Tour of Americas Dairyland – Women 11-12 2013
  • Multiple Florida State Titles the road race, time trial criterium and cyclocross disciplines.

2015

  • 1st Florida State Criterium Championship - Women 13-14
  • 1st Florida State Road Race Championship – Women 13-14l
  • 1st Real Campione d’ Clermont Road Race – Women Cat 4 
  • 1st Swamp Classic Criterium – Women Cat 4
  • 4th Savannah Superprestige Cyclocross – Women’s Elite 1/2/3

2014

  • 1st USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Criterium
  • 2nd USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Time Trial
  • 2nd USA Cycling Jr Nat’l Championship – Road Race 
  • 2 Stage Wins – Tour of Americas Dairyland – Women 13-14
  • 1st Florida State Cyclocross Champion Women 13-14 & Cat 4

What inspired you to become a bike racer?

Having the fastest bike splits in triathlons I competed in and watching my cousin Sarah compete in time trials.

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

My parents inspire me because I see the hard work and sacrifices they make for me to race my bike.

Favorite meal when training?

Peanut butter and jelly

The best thing about being a bike racer is?

Meeting new friends all over the county and my awesome tan lines!

What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?

Winning the USA Cycling Jr Women’s 11-12 National Championship Criterium.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?

My favorite place I’ve raced my bike is Madison Wisconsin. I was able to race and look at the cows at the same time.

Favorite cross training or off season activity?

Cyclocross and Triathlon

Best tip for a new bike racer?

Just keep pedaling and don’t be seen with chain grease on your legs!

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

Stretch, foam roll and sleep!

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

A Triathlete

What is something that nobody would know about you?

I love a good donut.

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? Continuing my education is important to me to achieve my chosen career path beyond racing my bike.

What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you? Ridebiker is an alliance of like-minded cyclist that want to influence and change the sport and the cycling industry. Through this program we will have the ability to grow cycling in the US and reinvest to fund cycling’s sustainability at all levels.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

  1. Cheer
  2. Shop
  3. Watch Netflix
  4. Play with my cat
  5. Swimming

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

  1. Confident – Demi Lovato
  2. Sake it off – Taylor Swift
  3. Like That – Jack & Jack
  4. Focus – Ariana Grande
  5. 6-7-9 – Fetty Wap
  6. Breaking the Ice – John Farnham
  7. I Know What You Did Last Summer – Shawn Mendes
  8. On My Mind – Ellie Goulding
  9. Fancy – Iggy Azalea
  10. Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld

SRAM Felt Bicycles ZIPP Quarq Athlos Kenda Tire