Carmen Small
“It is really hot...”
“I’m nacho friend....wanna taco bout it?”
“Oh god, I’m getting really hot...”
“Is it hot in here? I’m really hot...”
D.O.B.: April 20, 1980
Location: Durango, CO
Current City: Durango, CO
Height: 5’5”
Specialty: Time Trial, Break Away
Previous sports: Volleyball, Nordic Skiing, Kayaking
Years racing: 8 years
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Carmen grew in Durango Colorado playing sports and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle, which lead her on a path to cycling later in life. Volleyball, Nordic Skiing, and Kayaking where Carmen’s main sports in high school. She was a multiple time All American in nordic skiing where she competed in five Junior Olympic Championships, placing in the top 5 to end her nordic career. Her Senior year she was honored with most valuable player and All American where she helped lead her team to win the State Championships. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelors in Mathematics and a minor in Education. She begun teaching right after graduating and enjoyed that until she discovered her love for the bike. Carmen is married to Ben Sonntag and currently live in Durango, CO with their two cats Karen and Hansi. They are crazy cat people and proud of it!
Career Highlights
- 2 x World Team Time Trial Champion, 2014, 2013
- 3rd place, World Championships Time Trial, 2013
- 1st place, USA Cycling Nationals Time Trial, 2013
- NRC Winner 2012
2014
- World Team Time Trial Champion
- 1st GC North Star Grand Prix
- 1st Amgen Tour of California
- 2nd place, USA Cycling Nationals Time Trial
2013
- World Team Time Trial Champion
- 1st USA Cycling Nationals Time Trial
- Winner of a Stage of Thuringen Rundfahrt
- 3rd place, World Championships Time Trial, 2013
What inspired you to become a bike racer?
The opportunity to see the world was a big part of my decision to go down the path of bike racing. I love the racing and the tactics that go into it, but getting to meet people from different cultures and seeing places I would have never get to otherwise was very appealing.
Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?
Karen and Hansi (my cats) are very inspiring...They really know how to “recover” and take naps exceptionally well, they take this very seriously. The are very intense about hunting and they sometimes take down animals twice there size, very impressive. I know they are out most of the day, sometimes night “training” and preparing for the big hunt. This gives me inspiration to train hard and recover well to get ready for the big day. Most of all, they really enjoy Cliff Bars and take their nutrition seriously, their favorite bar is the Mojo bars. Hansi also enjoys a nice Luna Protein bar once in awhile.
If you weren’t bike racing, you would be...?
At this point I really have no idea...I want to say I would still be teaching math but who knows what life throws at you. One minute I was a full time math teacher and the next minute I was heading to Europe to race my bike. I like to think there are endless opportunities in life, so I’m not sure what will pop up next. Life’s an adventure!
Favorite meal when training?
On the bike I love to each bananas (doesn’t qualify as a meal, but I do love my bananas)
Off the bike I love to cook, so it’s hard to pick one meal that I love the best. I am a sucker for anything chocolate (I like to think thats a meal, mmmm chocolate).
The best thing about being a bike racer is?
Getting to ride my bike and be outside almost every day.
Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?
Italy! For sure it’s Italy, I love the culture, I love the people, I love the food, and most of all I love the cappuccinos!
Favorite cross training or off season activity?
Nordic Skiing or Hiking with my family.
Best tip for a new bike racer
Have fun and keep it fun!
Favorite things to do off the bike:
1. Cook
2. Hang with my cats
3. Anything out doors
4. Drive my Jetta sportswagen tdi
5. Write Bios
Top 10 warmup/pre-race songs on your iPod:
1. I like anything but country music
TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015.
Being an Educator myself, this is very close to my heart and I am very passionate about continuing education. Whether you decide to go the more traditional route attending a 4 year school or a trade school both pathways are very beneficial in multiple facets in life. By continuing your education you are setting yourself up for success, developing skills dealing with life, and building a platform for life after your athletic career.
Being a student athlete will teach you responsibility, time management, and how to balance sports and academics in a healthy way. As you can see I am very pro higher education, but the bottom line is the incredible importance to purse education and the programs in place that support this. Since cycling in the US is not a traditional sport athletes have a hard time finding the right avenue to purse the sport after hight school or having to make the tough decision in having to pick. Programs like Twenty16 have evolved to support the student athlete so they don't have to choose they can do both successfully.
