Interview Kristen Faulkner

When you think about Alaska, cycling is maybe not the first thing that comes to your mind. But the state has a very good cyclist, one of the best in the whole US. A rider that lived at both coasts. She discovered cycling in New York and continued her passion in California. This the story of Kirsten Faulkner. About a new passion that she discovered right after graduating and that she does professionally today. The American 'cobble eater' from Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank tells you more about this and many other things in this interview!

You grew up Alaska, discovered cycling in New York and launched your career in California Would you recommend other cyclists to discover those regions by bike?

Absolutely! Alaska has gorgeous scenery, but not much cycling infrastructure or cycling community. I did a cycling trip from Homer to Denali National Park last summer and loved it.
I find New York to have the most accessible cycling community for new riders. There are free introductory clinics for women, multiple teams that train together every week, and races every Saturday in Central Park that you can ride your bike to (which is more accessible than California, where you often need to drive several hours to races).  
California is my favorite place to ride. There are plenty of climbs, flat roads, ocean views, fast group rides, good weather, and a strong cycling community.   

You firstly rode in the European peloton on the age of 27, did you easily adapt to riding in big groups and fighting for your position?

It definitely wasn’t easy! I fell a several times in the beginning. In fact, my soigneur jokes that in my first race at Ardeche, every time I took a bottle, either the bottle went flying or I went flying. He’s not wrong. I was very scared, but I knew that I had to push through that fear because riding in the group is part of my job. I told myself that sitting in the back of the bunch wasn’t an option; I had to find a way to be in the right position at the right time. I forced myself to perform even when I was scared. Eventually, I became more comfortable in the group, but positioning is still something I work on every race.

You've been both successful in stage races and one day races, what do you enjoy the most?

I’m not sure! I think I prefer 1-day races because they tend to be incredibly hard the whole race. We only have one shot to get a result, and so we must be focused and give our best the entire race. Every move and ever mistake counts more, and so we can’t ever ease up. On the other hand, stage races provide opportunities for different riders to go for a result; there are stages for climbers, sprinters, and others in which newer riders can go for a result because the GC contenders let a break go. Stage races are also great opportunities to learn because there are so many race days….Ask me in a year and I may have a more decisive answer!

It's only the second of your career right now. What are your ambitions for the future?

I aim to compete in the 2024 Olympics and win a World Championship. 

Your team Tibco – Silicon Valley Bank will seek to join the World Tour next season. How does this step up feel to you and the team?

I am so happy that the team is going World Tour. The riders will have more resources, and I also think the Peloton will treat the team with more respect. Linda Jackson has been working hard for years to make this happen, and I’m so proud of her work.

You've been racing almost only on European soil in the past seasons, would you like to race more in the US as well when more races are on the calendar again?

Right now I prefer European racing because it is more competitive. Eventually, I will probably want to return to the U.S. and race there, but right now I am enjoying the adventure of living and racing abroad.

Summer is almost over, what are your ambitions for the rest of the season? Do you think that the world championships will suit you well this year?

I am most looking forward to the World Championship. I have shown that I can perform well in the very hard 1-day races in Flanders. The punchy climbs suit me as a racer, as does the 100+ mile course that requires a lot of strength and endurance. We have a very strong U.S. team this year and multiple shots at a medal.
After the World Championship, I will aim for a result at Paris Roubaix. The cobbled course is also one that requires a lot of strength, and I’m motivated to finish the season on a high note.

What is your greatest cycling memory so far?

Winning Stage 4 of Ardeche in 2020 by attacking from a break. It was my first ever race in Europe and it gave me the confidence that I belonged here. It also taught me the rewards of taking risks and racing aggressively. I think the women’s peloton is starting to race a lot more aggressively, so that was a crucial experience to have early in my career.