Jennifer Valente
“Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.”
Name: Jennifer Valente
D.O.B.: December 24, 1994
Location: San Diego, CA
Current City: Colorado Springs, CO
Height: 5’9”
Specialty: track
Previous sports: water polo
Nickname: Jenn
Years racing: 5
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Growing up in Southern California, Jennifer Valente has been around bikes her entire life. When she was young, she rode around her San Diego neighborhood on mountain and BMX bikes. She was first introduced to cycling as a competitive sport when she was 14 and enrolled in free youth classes at the San Diego Velodrome. She immediately fell in love with the speed and intensity of the track. With podium finishes at her first Jr. Nationals, she hasn’t looked back since. Valente is currently training in Colorado Springs and attending classes at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Career Highlights
- 3x National Track Champion
- 5x Pan American Championships medalist
- 12x Junior National Track Champion
- Junior Track World Champion, Scratch Race, 2011
- 2012 USA Olympic Long Team
- Track World Championships Team Member
2014
- 1st Pan American Champion, Aguascalientes MEX, Team Pursuit
- 1st National Track Champion, Omnium
- 1st UCI Grand Prix of Colorado Springs, Omnium
- 2nd Track World Cup, Guadalajara MEX, Team Pursuit
- 3rd Pan American Championships, Aguascalientes MEX, Omnium
- 4th Track World Championships, Cali COL, Team Pursuit
- 5th Track World Championships, Cali COL, Team Pursuit
2013
- Track World Cup team member (USA Cycling)
- 1st National Track Championships, scratch race, Rock Hill, SC
- 1st Dana Point Grand Prix of Cycling, Dana Point, CA
- 1st CalBikeLaw.com Keirin Final, keirin, Carson, CA
- 1st Redlands Bycicle Classic Criteriums, Redlands, CA
- 1st Roger Millikan Memorial Criterium, Brea, CA
- 2nd U23 National Criterium Championships, Madison, WI
- 2nd Los Angelous Grand Prix, Team Pursuit, Carson, CA
- 3rd UCI Festival Of Speed, scratch race, Trexlertown, PA
What inspired you to become a bike racer?
My family always had bikes around so I was riding for fun from when I was pretty young. After I started racing I realized I liked that it was not the typical mainstream sport. It’s something really different.
Who is an inspiration to you in your life, both on and off the bike?
I’m inspired by all people who are willing to work hard, give their best effort, and never give up.
If you weren’t bike racing, you would be...?
Working as a lifeguard and going to school.
The best thing about being a bike racer is?
Getting to travel, see new places, meet cool people, and the stories and laughs you get to share with training partners and teammates.
Favorite place you’ve raced your bike and why?
I like to go back to my home track in San Diego for the weekly training races on Tuesday Nights. The racing is hard and there are always supportive people and fans around who have become like family.
Favorite cross training or off season activity?
Bodysurfing and swimming,
Best tip for a new bike racer:
Have fun with what you’re doing!
Favorite things to do off the bike:
1. Sleep.
2. Swim in the ocean.
3. Hang out with my friends or family.
4. Watch good movies or tv shows.
5. Do something outside!
TWENTY16 has an emphasis on education with the initiation of our Junior Scholarship program in 2015.
