Lauren Komanski

“To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift” - Pre

D.O.B.: 6/17/85
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Current City: Winston-Salem, NC
Height: 6’0
Specialty: all arounder
Previous sports: runner, soccer
Nickname: rauck, komanska
Years racing: 3

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Lauren grew up playing many different sports, but eventually focused on running for college. She was a Division I athlete at Columbia University in New York City, and ran cross-country and track all 4 years. After a few years away from competitive sports, her parents and husband encouraged her to try bike racing. Lauren competed in her first bike race in 2012 and won. She started clinical rotations in veterinary medicine that summer, but was invited to attend the USA Cycling Development Program camp a few months later, so she kept riding her bike. That fall she was offered a spot to race for NOW & Novartis for MS. Still working on completing her clinical rotations, she did most of her training at 4am on the trainer before going into the hospital for a typical 12 hour day. Next she joined TWENTY16 for the 2014 season, and since then she has focused her full attention on being a professional cyclist. In addition to racing with TWENTY16 in 2014, she also raced for the US National Team on three trips to Europe and to the Pan American Championships. She is excited to continue racing for TWENTY16 and looks forward to the 2015 season!

Career Highlights

  • 24th Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Flanders (2014)
  • 7th Road Nationals (2014)
  • 4th Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour - Prologue
  • 13th Pan American Championships Road Race

2014

  • 24th Ronde Van Vlaanderen - Flanders
  • 7th Road Nationals
  • 4th Lotto Belisol Belgium Tour – Prologue
  • 2nd Stage 5 Cascade Cycling Classic

2013

  • 3rd Cascade Cycling Classic - Stage 5
  • Domestique for Alison Powers - NRC Champion

What inspired you to become a bike racer?
After a few years away from competitive sports, I was curious if I still had that edge and drive.

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?
My parents and husband inspire and encourage me to follow my dreams. My dogs remind me its exciting and fun to play outside and go fast.

If you weren’t bike racing, you would be...?
A veterinarian. Well, I am a veterinarian, but I’m not practicing exactly how I thought I would be. I thought that I would be a small animal (dog and cat) surgeon. This is still my plan, but it has just been a little delayed; a once in a lifetime opportunity inserted for the time being.

Favorite meal when training?
Sweet potato pancakes with maple syrup (leftovers are great on base rides, minus the syrup).
And Burger Sunday!

The best thing about being a bike racer is?
Like Ricky Bobby, “I wanna go fast!”

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?
Belgium & The Netherlands. The Spring Classics races are epic and you have to be tough - cobbles, bergs, European racing…It’s my favorite!

Favorite cross training or off season activity?
Mountain biking with my husband and 2 dogs

Best tip for a new bike racer
Go off road once in awhile. It’s fun and will improve your handling skills.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. Going adventuring with my husband, dogs and friends
2. Rock climbing (although my upper body strength has become embarrassing)
3. Spending time with my family
4. Sailing
5. Sitting around the fire pit with friends

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

1. Lie In Our Graves - Dave Matthews Band
2. Come With Me Now - KONGOS
3. Carolina Calling - Mipso
4. How You Like Me Now - The Heavy
5. Sail - AWOLNATION
6. I Wanna Get Better - Bleachers
7. Show Me What You Got - Jay-Z
8. Got To Know (Drumtep Remix) - Flux Pavilion
9. Fancy - Iggy Azalea
10. Pumping pop song of the moment

TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015.

Explain why it is important for an athlete to pursue education by going on to college after high school.

In high school, I ran cross-country and track, and played soccer. I wanted to continue being a competitive athlete, and for me at that time, collegiate sports was the next step. I was fortunate to be recruited by Columbia University, where I ran at the Division I level all four years. This was an amazing experience, that I would not change, athletically or academically.

As a college athlete, I was able to continue to develop my athletic abilities, and I believe that this experience and time has helped me become the athlete that I am today. I am also grateful for my college experience because of the friendships that I made. For four years, you train together, live together and grow up together. These bonds are truly unique. Finally, by attending college, I earned an education that has allowed me to follow my dream of becoming a veterinarian. In high school, you have a lot of dreams, and by pursuing college you will keep doors open so you can decide which dreams to pursue.


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