Ayesha McGowan

Ayesha Rosena Anna McGowan (born April 2, 1987) is an American professional racing cyclist who currently rides for UCI Women's WorldTeam Liv Racing.[2] She is also an activist and advocate aiming to improve diversity and inclusivity in cycling, especially for women and ethnic minorities.[3] She is the first African American woman on a professional road cycling team.[3]

Ayesha McGowan
Personal information
Full nameAyesha Rosena Anna McGowan
Born (1987-04-02) April 2, 1987
Atlanta, Georgia[1]
Team information
Current teamLiv Racing
Disciplines
  • Road
RoleRider
Rider typePuncheur[1]
Amateur teams
Apr 2019Amy D Foundation
Aug 2019Alp Cycles
2020Liv Racing
Professional team
2021–Liv Racing (trainee)

Early life and amateur career

Unlike many professional cyclists who begin racing competitively at a young age, McGowan only started cycling as a commuter student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduation in 2010, she moved to Brooklyn, where she worked as a daycare teacher and taught private music lessons for five years.[4][5]

After seven years of commuting, McGowan made her racing debut at the 2014 Red Hook Crit in Brooklyn, the first edition to feature separate men's and women's races. Later that same year, she took her maiden victory in the Category 4 race at the New York State Criterium Championships in White Plains.[5]

Professional career

In 2019, McGowan made her UCI professional-level racing debut when she competed in the Joe Martin Stage Race and in the Colorado Classic. On the third stage of the Colorado Classic, her attacking efforts garnered her significant attention and won her the Most Inspirational jersey for that stage.[6]

Though McGowan had been a member of Liv Racing for the 2020 season while racing domestically, she made the step up to the professional UCI Women's Team in 2021 as a satellite/trainee rider. This allowed her to make her racing debut with the team after August 1, as per UCI regulations.[2][7] This debut came in early September, when McGowan was selected for the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l'Ardèche.[8] McGowan featured in the winning breakaway on stage 6, placing seventh,[9] before eventually finishing 50th overall.[10]


References
  1. "Ayesha McGowan". Liv Racing. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  2. "'Satellite rider' Ayesha McGowan joins Liv Racing". Liv Racing. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  3. Been, José (February 16, 2021). "Ayesha McGowan on her way to Women's World Tour with Liv Racing". CyclingTips. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  4. "Representation Matters: Ayesha McGowan". Liv Racing. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  5. Haq, Sana Noor (April 20, 2021). "Meet Ayesha McGowan, the first Black American woman in pro cycling: 'The thing that we're working for isn't just existing in a space, it's thriving'". CNN. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  6. Dreier, Fred; Welch, Betsy (August 31, 2019). "What Ayesha McGowan learned at the Colorado Classic". VeloNews. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  7. Frattini, Kirsten (February 16, 2021). "Ayesha McGowan to step up to Women's WorldTour with Liv Racing". CyclingNews. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  8. Frattini, Kirsten (September 6, 2021). "Ayesha McGowan to make debut with Liv Racing at Tour de l'Ardeche". CyclingNews. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  9. "Korevaar finishes Tour de l'Ardèche with second place". Liv Racing. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  10. "Leah Thomas wins Tour de l'Ardeche". CyclingNews. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.


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