Neimanas to retire from competition

Para World Champion Greta Neimanas to retire from competition

Concussion halts athletes Rio goal

A message from Greta

2015 was a year of high highs and low lows; a year that brought a victory at the World Championships and a season-ending crash paired with my sixth diagnosed concussion.

The sport of cycling has brought me so much joy and pain, blood, sweat, and tears, over the past eleven years and is a sport that I hope to participate in for my entire life. My best friends have been made through the sport and it has afforded me the opportunity to travel the world. However, it is a sport with very high risks and the rewards no longer outweigh those risks for me- the chance of further brain injuries is too great. After careful consideration and a lot of reflection, I have decided to retire from the US Paracycling and TWENTY16 professional cycling teams. While my career may have been shorter than I would have liked, it is one I am completely satisfied with and, at 27, I still have a lifetime ahead of me.

This is not the end of my involvement in sport, but simply the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I look forward to finishing college, potential coaching opportunities, and pursuing other aspects of the sports world that I could not while actively competing.

Yours, forever in sport,

Greta

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 in the Time Trial.

Career Highlights

1st UCI Paracycling World Championships- Time Trial, 2013
1st UCI Paracycling World Cup Overall Champion, 2012
2 x Paralympian (Beijing, 2008; London, 2012)
First American paracyclist signed to a professional cycling team 2011-2016
First paracyclist to compete in the Amgen Tour of California
14 x UCI Paracycling World Championship medalist
12 x National Champion
U.S. Paracycling National Team member 2006-2016

"I'm going to miss sharing a room at camp and at races where we stay up late talking, giggling and going over the race course. You've been a great teammate and an amazing friend. The road to Rio is not going to be the same without you on it! I can't wait to see where this new chapter in your life is going to take you." ~ Jamie Whitmore

"The first time I met Greta was at one of the Tour of America's Dairyland NCC crits. She absolutely kicked my butt! Such an inspirational and confident person, the peloton will miss you Greta!" ~ Allison Arensman

"The year we spent together as teammates changed my life and my entire perspective. She makes me laugh harder than a Mel brooks movie and I know no matter what she does in future, she will do it with a smile and a laugh. I have so much respect for Greta, only increased by her call to move on from cycling and take on the big world outside the sport." ~ Abby Mickey

"Hardworking, dedicated, smart, and fun. A combination that is rare in any life discipline, but particularly rare in professional sport. Greta, you are one of my favorite "bike" people, but also one of my favorite "real" people. Making the decision to retire was difficult, but reflects one of your qualities that I love: intelligence. Thank you for protecting yourself, for being the ultimate teammate (on and off the bike) and for always making me laugh. Also, thank you for being the only person willing to elbow dance with me on Lookout Mountain. Cheers to good things to come!" ~ Amber Gaffney

"I have enjoyed working with Greta the past few years. She is an inspiration to everyone and an incredible athlete. I am sorry to see her career ending but am excited for her future projects. " ~ Mari Holden

Greta we wish you all the very best!

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