If you think a junior cycling team is just watts, workouts, and who can survive the last climb… allow us to lovingly blow your mind. Behind every podium and power file is a kaleidoscope of personalities, quirks, rituals, and unexpected talents that make Donovan Racing feel less like a team and more like a rolling ecosystem of brilliance, chaos, and heart.

These athletes don’t just train hard — they live hard, love hard, believe hard, and in some cases, eat truly astonishing amounts of pancakes.

Welcome to behind the scenes at Donovan Racing.

They’ve Been Riding Since… Basically Before They Could Walk

A shocking number of riders started biking at an age when most toddlers were learning to balance on chubby legs. Some were pushed down trails by fearless parents. Some raced their first events in elementary school. Turns out, “been riding forever” is not a metaphor here — it’s a lifestyle.

The Pre-Race Rituals Are… Chef’s Kiss Chaos

Within the Donovan tent, you’ll find:

• Someone wearing lightning bolt earrings every race since age 11
• Someone else who performs better if a piece of hair sticks out of their helmet
• A rider who refuses to start without unicorn socks
• The classic headphone warriors blasting everything from AC/DC to whatever counts as a “banger playlist”
• A rider who warms up while imagining their race scene by scene like a cinematographer

Is it science? Is it superstition? Is it working?

Absolutely, yes.

Breakfast of Champions (If You Count Pickles, Rice Bowls, and Pancakes)

Fueling this team is an adventure:

• Pancakes (so many pancakes)
• Oatmeal in forms ranging from normal to “add honey, powdered peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, salt, then more carbs please”
• Rice + blueberries
• Peanut-butter-and-honey sandwiches
• A rider who swears by pickles and straight pickle juice
• A cyclist who pre-rides with Keytone IQ like they’re prepping for a lunar landing

Nutritionists, don’t come for us — it’s working.

The Inspirations Run Deep (and Wide)

Their role models include:

• National champions
• Olympic legends
• Parents who work hard
• Coaches who believed in them early
• Teammates who push each other higher
• A mother who cheers so loudly she should get her own podium

And somewhere, floating proudly in the universe, is a quote from Bill & Ted reminding everyone to “be excellent to each other.”

Hidden Talents You Wouldn’t Expect

Under the helmets and behind the handlebars:

• One rider can recite the first 100 digits of Pi
• Another types over 120 words per minute
• One is a licensed backcountry wanderer with wilderness skills
• Many ski raced before they bike-raced
• Several used to competitively rock climb
• One has a max squat of 500 pounds
• Another collects tiny ducks and consults them for race destiny

The phrase “well-rounded athlete” suddenly feels insufficient.

Life Lessons They’ve Learned the Hard (And Beautiful) Way

Over and over, the team echoes the same truths:

• Consistency beats talent
• Hard work pays off
• You won’t win every day — and that’s the point
• You belong here
• Trust the process
• Being uncomfortable is often where the magic happens
• One day doesn’t define you
• The journey is the real win

If junior athletes are this wise, adults everywhere should probably take notes.

The Common Thread Holding This Team Together

Despite different hometowns, backgrounds, and racing styles — from tactical to steezy to gritty to “just won’t quit” — they share something rare:

They truly love this sport.

They love each other.

And they’re not afraid to dream wildly big.

There are goals across the roster like:

• Win Unbound
• Earn UCI points
• Race World Cups
• Podium at Nationals
• Qualify for the Lifetime Grand Prix
• Inspire one more kid to fall in love with cycling

But the biggest shared goal?

To become the best versions of themselves — on and off the bike.

A Final Peek Behind the Bars

If you wander past the Donovan tent at a race, you’ll see focus, professionalism, and calm systems at work.

But underneath that?

A family of athletes who eat weird things, believe big things, learn fast, laugh hard, and love bikes with a ferocity that makes this whole journey magical.

And honestly?

That’s the real win.