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Former VC Wins Surprise Cycling Gold
Curated by
noahrosenstein
2 min read
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Kristen Faulkner, a former venture capitalist turned professional cyclist, shocked the world by winning gold in the women's road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Faulkner's remarkable journey from finance to Olympic champion highlights her rapid rise in cycling after only taking up the sport in 2017.
Kristen Faulkner's Olympic Gold
American professional racing cyclist
Born
December 18, 1992, Homer, Alaska, United States
Current Team
EF Education–Cannondale
Education
Harvard University, B.A in Computer Science
wowktv.com
On August 4, 2024, Faulkner clinched gold in the women's road race with a time of 3:49:23, finishing 58 seconds ahead of her closest competitors
1
. The 158-kilometer course included iconic Parisian landmarks like Versailles and Montmartre, concluding beneath the Eiffel Tower2
. This victory marked the first American gold in Olympic road cycling since 1984, a feat made even more remarkable by Faulkner's late addition to the team less than a month before the Games1
2
. Her strategic attack in the final 3 kilometers secured the win against seasoned competitors like 2012 gold medalist Marianne Vos and world champion Lotte Kopecky3
1
.3 sources
From Venture Capital to Cycling
bicycling.com
Transitioning from venture capital to professional cycling in just three years, Faulkner's journey was marked by rapid progress and a deep passion for the sport. After attending a free women's cycling clinic in New York City in 2017, the former Harvard rower quickly fell in love with cycling
1
. By 2020, Faulkner had turned professional, joining Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank while still working at Threshold Ventures1
.
Her decision to fully commit to cycling came in early 2021 when she stepped back from her venture capital career to focus entirely on the sport2
. This bold move allowed Faulkner to expand her European racing program and accelerate her development as a cyclist, leading to her first WorldTour victory at the Ladies Tour of Norway later that year2
. She went on to win the women's road time trial at the 2023 Pan American Games and clinched two stages at the Giro d'Italia. Despite her rapid rise, she had not yet competed in the Tour de France, saving her Parisian debut for the Olympics.2 sources
Motivations for Career Change
kristenfaulkner.com
The decision to leave a successful venture capital career for professional cycling was driven by a deep emotional connection to the sport and a desire for a new challenge. Despite concerns about financial risks and potentially disappointing her bosses, Faulkner's passion for cycling ultimately outweighed her fears
1
. She spent a year and a half in therapy to overcome these concerns before fully committing to her new path2
. The rapid progress and early successes in European races likely reinforced her decision, as she recognized her potential to excel at the highest levels of competitive cycling3
.3 sources
Road to Olympic Glory
idahopress.com
Kristen Faulkner's Olympic journey took an unexpected turn when she was initially selected for track cycling but was later added to the road race team after teammate Taylor Knibb withdrew to focus on the triathlon
1
. Despite being a relative newcomer to the sport, Faulkner's venture capital background proved valuable, as she applied her risk assessment skills to cycling strategy2
. Her rapid ascent in the sport culminated in her surprise gold medal victory in Paris, where she outmaneuvered more experienced competitors with a perfectly timed attack in the final kilometers3
4
.4 sources
Related
What was the most challenging part of the 158-kilometer route for the riders
How did the crowd's presence in Paris influence the riders' performance
What strategies did Faulkner use to outmaneuver her competitors
How did the weather conditions impact the race
What was the reaction of the American cycling community to Faulkner's win
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