Kaitlin Antonneau
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” - Steve Prefontaine
Nickname: Little Badger
D.O.B.: 01/01/1992
Birth city and state: Racine, Wisconsin
Current City: Colorado Springs
Height: 5’2’’
Specialty: Road races & Cyclocross
Previous sports: Cross Country running and Nordic Skiing
Years racing: 13 years
Colleges attended: Marian University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
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Kaitlin is a Wisconsin native. Kaitlin grew up racing her bicycle on the road, velodrome, cyclocross, and mountain bike. In 2010, Antonneau represented the U.S. at the Junior World Road Championships and finished eighth. She joined our roster the following year. In May of 2014, she graduated from Marian University in Indianapolis, IN where she raced on a scholarship for the Knights all four years of her collegiate career. Kaitlin also races Cyclocross and has been a member of the U.S. Women’s Cyclocross World Championship team for the past five years.
When not racing her bike, Antonneau enjoys practicing yoga and hopes to become an instructor some day. She also finds joy in mountain biking on local trails, running, and hiking when she has the time. When she is home, she also volunteers at a soup kitchen in Colorado Springs.
Career Highlights
- 2nd place UCI Valkenburg Cyclocross World Cup
- 2x U23 National TT Champion
- U23 National RR Champion
- 2x Best Young Rider at Cascade Cycling Classic
- 3x Division I Collegiate Road Omnium National Champion
2015
- Best Young Rider at Cascade Cycling Classic
- 4th at Cascade Lakes Road Race Stage 3 Cascade Cycling Classic
- 2nd at U.S. Cyclocross Nationals
- 2nd at UCI Cyclocross Valkenburg World Cup
- 13th at UCI Cyclocross World Championships – Tabor
2014
- Best Young Rider at Cascade Cycling Classic
- 5th GC Cascade Cycling Classic
- 4th at Inner Loop RR Tour of the Gila
- 6th at Tour of the Gila TT
- 13th at UCI Cyclocross World Championships – Hoogerheide
What inspired you to become a bike racer?
I rode my bike a lot when while growing up and I always felt a sense of joy and adventure when I was on my bike. I thought it was the most fun thing in the world. That sense of joy and adventure has carried with my throughout the years and it is what inspires me to keep going.
Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?
Katie Compton and Kristin Armstrong.
Favorite meal when training?
My favorite meal when training would be a bunch of really delicious Mexican tacos.
The best thing about being a bike racer is?
The best thing about being a biker racer is having those moments when all the long hours of hard work pay off. Whether it is seeing a teammate succeed because of the help you personally contributed earlier in the day or seeing it pay off individually.
What is your biggest accomplishment on the bike?
My biggest accomplishment on the bike would be my second place at the 2015 UCI Cyclocross Valkenburg World Cup.
Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?
My favorite place that I have raced my bike is at the Citadel in Namur, Belgium. It is a very beautiful fortress in the city and is originally from the Roman era.
Favorite cross training or off-season activity?
I really enjoy riding my dirt bike and Cross Country skiing when I have the time.
Best tip for a new bike racer?
Keep it fun!
What is one of two things that you do daily that is the key to your success?
One of the things I do daily that is key to my success is getting to bed early (8:30-9pm) every night. I’m not very good at staying up late so this is easy for me. I also function best and feel best recovered when I have had a solid night of sleep.
If you weren’t bike racing what would you be?
If I wasn’t bike racing, I would like to be a pastry chef.
What is something that nobody would know about you?
I love chickens and I am counting down the days until I can have my own chickens/chicken coop.
TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015. https://teamtwenty16.com/education.htm
Why is continued education important?
I truly believe it is important for an athlete to pursue a college education after high school. Being a student-athlete at the college level helps to teach that individual the true meaning of balance, time management, discipline, and how to function well under pressure. It will help the individual to become a very well rounded person, which will benefit him/her later in life with various types of situations.
What does Ridebiker Alliance mean to you?
RideBiker Alliance is important to me because it is expanding the world of cycling by supporting every level of the sport. I believe this alliance is important for our sport because it the beginning to insuring sustainability in cycling. I think it’s great that RideBiker Alliance supports the club level! I find the club level to be one of the most important groups to support because this level makes up the majority of the cycling population. It’s wonderful that RiderBiker supports the club level because I believe it is the hardest point to be at as a cyclist.
Favorite things to do off the bike:
- Read
- Bake and decorate cakes
- Ride my dirt bike
- Practicing yoga
- Cook
Top 10 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:
- Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood
- If I Lose Myself by One Republic
- Roar by Katy Perry
- The Love Club by Lorde
- Run the World by Beyonce
- Talk a Walk by Passion Pit
- Good for Great by Matt and Kim
- Overexposed by Matt and Kim
- Cups by Anna Kendrick
- Feel Again by One Republic