Greta Neimanas

An excerpt from Teddy Roosevelt’s speech "Citizenship In A Republic" more commonly known as The Man in the Arena: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

D.O.B. and location: May 4, 1988; Chicago, IL
Current City: Annapolis, MD
Height: 5’9”
Specialty: Time trial, all around
Nickname: G
Previous Sports: Soccer
Years racing: 11

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Blog: http://gretaneimanas.blogspot.com

Greta has always been active, playing many sports from childhood on. An amputee from birth, she was fortunate to be able to participate in Paralympic sports while growing up. As a high school soccer player, she discovered cycling and began racing in 2005. After joining a local juniors team- xXx Racing- in Chicago, Greta quickly realized cycling was a perfect fit for her and hasn’t looked back since.

In 2011, Greta became the first American para-cyclist to be signed to a professional cycling team, and only the second female world wide to do so. Following early success in 2012, Greta won the UCI World Cup series Overall title winning all three time trials and finishing on the podium in all three road races. The London Paralympic Games proved disappointing for Greta where she finished fourth, just off the podium, in two of her four events. 2013 proved to be highly successful, winning her first World Championship title on in the Time Trial. After a season with several close misses, Greta is looking to get back to the top of the podium, with her focus on the time trial.

Career Highlights

1st place, UCI Paracycling World Championships- Time Trial, 2013
1st place, UCI Paracycling World Cup Overall Champion, 2012
2 time Paralympian (Beijing, 2008; London, 2012)
First American paracyclist signed to a professional cycling team
First paracyclist to compete in the Amgen Tour of California
14 time UCI Paracycling World Championship medalist
12 time National Champion
U.S. Paracycling National Team member 2006-present

2014

1st place USAC para-cycling Road National Championships, Time Trial, Madison, WI
1st place USAC para-cycling Road National Championships, Road Race, Madison, WI
2nd place UCI Paracycling Road World Cup, Time Trial, Segovia, ESP
3rd place UCI Paracycling Track World Championship, 3km Pursuit, Aguascalientes, MEX
4th place UCI Paracycling Road World Championship, Time Trial, Greenville, SC, USA
Competed in the Amgen Tour of California Invitational Time Trial
Competed at USPRO Cycling Championships, Chattannooga, TN, USA

2013

1st place UCI Paracycling World Championship Time Trial, Baie-Comeau, CAN
1st place UCI Paracycling Road World Cup, Time Trial, Segovia, ESP
1st place UCI Paracycling Road World Cup, Time Trial, Matane, CAN
1st place USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals, Time Trial, Madison, WI
1st place USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals, RR, WI
3rd place UCI Paracycling World Championship Road Race, Baie-Comeau, CAN
3rd place UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup, RR, Matane, CAN

What inspired you to become a bike racer?
Seeing a track race at the Athens Paralympics in 2004. Watching the athletes rip around the banking, on bikes without brakes, looked exhilarating, terrifying, and something I knew I needed to try. As soon as I did, I was hooked and haven’t looked back.

Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?
People who have the courage to pursue their dreams, dive into the unknown, and take risks. Not everything pans out but it takes guts to put it all on the line and try

If you weren’t bike racing, you would be...?
Looking for great adventures.

Favorite meal when training?
Big salads with curly pasta and chicken.

The best thing about being a bike racer is?
Besides working in stretchy shorts? Experiencing the world is the best thing. Cycling has taken me around the world and back, to places I never would have been had I not started cycling. It’s introduced me to amazing people and some of my closest friends. The bike racer life has taught me- and continually reminds me- to live in the moment, enjoy the here-and-now, and conversely to always have a goal several years down the road.

Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?
Rome, Italy. Pretty much anywhere in Italy is fantastic but to have the opportunity to race in old Rome was incredible. There’s history everywhere, the people are welcoming, and there’s never a dull moment!

Favorite cross training or off-season activity?
The off-season is a time I use to catch up with family and friends that I don’t see often during the year. Between living out of state and traveling a lot, it can be hard to see people in person. Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to stay in contact around the world but face to face time can’t be beat. As far as cross training goes, I love hiking, paddling- kayaks, canoes, and recently stand-up paddleboards- and skiing.

Best tip for a new bike racer:
Be a sponge. Watch, listen, and ask questions of the more experienced riders around you. They are a wealth of knowledge and have been exactly where you are.

Favorite things to do off the bike:

1. Travel
2. Go on adventures
3. Read
4. Take pictures
5. Go for walks

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

1. Lightening Bolt- Jake Bugg
2. White Walls- Macklemore
3. Wake Me Up- Avicii
4. I Believe in a Thing Called Love- The Darkness
5. God’s Gonns Cut You Down- Johnny Cash
6. Wagon Wheel- Old Crow Medicine Show
7. Little Bitty- Alan Jackson
8. Devil’s Waitin’- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
9. King of the Rodeo- Kings of Leon
10. Wind Beneath My Wings- Bette Middler (No really, I know all the words)

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

Continuing your education into college is something you should do. Not only will it help prepare you for life after cycling, it can be a welcome balance to training. For me, part time school has worked best because it allows me to train and work, and then have a specific class focus 100% on off the bike. Exercising your brain is even more important than working your muscles. Don’t be afraid to investigate community colleges or part time studies as an option for you if you do better with a smaller, more concentrated school focus- as soon as I did, it was so much better for me!