Famous American Cyclists

Greg LeMond is an American former road racing cyclist known for his significant achievements in professional cycling. He won the Tour de France three times and the Road Race World Championship twice, making him the only American male to achieve these feats. LeMond was the first non-European professional cyclist to win the Tour de France. He also made notable contributions to the sport by championing technological advancements such as aerodynamic handlebars and carbon fiber bicycle frames. Additionally, LeMond has been an advocate against performance-enhancing drug use in cycling and is involved in charitable endeavors supporting male victims of child sex abuse.

Major Taylor was an American professional cyclist renowned as one of the greatest sprinters in history. He began racing as a teenager, turning professional at 18 and focusing on sprint events. Taylor set multiple world records and became the first African American cycling world champion. He competed internationally, defeating the world's best riders. Despite facing financial challenges, Taylor continued to race and challenge racial prejudice. He retired at 32 and passed away in 1932, leaving a lasting legacy in the cycling world.

Lance Armstrong is a former professional road racing cyclist known for winning the Tour de France a record seven times consecutively from 1999 to 2005. He began his career as a triathlete before transitioning to professional cycling with the Motorola team in 1992. Armstrong overcame testicular cancer and founded the Livestrong Foundation to support cancer survivors. Despite success in cycling, he was later stripped of his titles due to doping allegations and received a lifetime ban from sanctioned events. Armstrong admitted to doping in 2013 and settled a civil lawsuit in 2018.

Tyler Hamilton is an American former professional road bicycle racer known for his achievements in cycling. He won the Liège–Bastogne–Liège race in 2003, becoming the only American to win one of the five Monuments of cycling. Hamilton joined the US Postal Service cycling team in 1995 and was a teammate of Lance Armstrong during significant events like the Tours de France. His career was marred by doping controversies, leading to suspensions and bans from the sport. Hamilton admitted to using banned substances in competition and co-authored a book exposing doping practices in cycling.

George Hincapie is an American former professional racing cyclist who competed between 1994 and 2012. He was known as a key domestique for top cyclists like Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador, and Cadel Evans. Hincapie was the owner and general manager of UCI Professional Continental team Hincapie–Leomo p/b BMC until 2020. He admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, leading to a six-month ban and disqualification from several races. Hincapie participated in a record 17 Tours de France and five consecutive Olympic Games.

Floyd Landis was an American professional road racing cyclist known for his climbing, time-trialing, and descending skills. He turned professional in 1999 with the Mercury Cycling Team, then joined the U.S. Postal Service team in 2002, and later moved to the Phonak Hearing Systems team in 2005. Despite being disqualified from the 2006 Tour de France for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, Landis maintained his innocence, but eventually admitted to doping in 2010. His professional career came to an end in 2011 after being unable to find a new team.

Frankie Andreu is an American former professional cyclist known for his achievements as team captain of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Throughout his career, he won multiple race stages and achieved a notable fourth-place finish in the cycling road race at the 1996 Olympics. Andreu's significant contribution to the United States Anti-Doping Agency's investigation into Lance Armstrong's doping practices solidified his reputation as an influential figure in the cycling world.

Tammy Thomas is a former sprint track cyclist known for her participation in the 2001 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, where she won a silver medal in the individual sprint event. Her career took a controversial turn when she tested positive for THG during the BALCO scandal, resulting in a lifetime ban from cycling. Despite her achievements on the track, Thomas's legacy is marred by the doping scandal that ultimately ended her professional cycling career.

Sepp Kuss is an accomplished American professional cyclist known for his exceptional climbing abilities. He competes for UCI WorldTeam Visma–Lease a Bike and has achieved notable victories including winning the 2023 Vuelta a España, marking the first American victory since 2013. Kuss has also secured stage wins at prestigious races like the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. He holds the impressive distinction of being one of two riders to win a Grand Tour after completing all three Grand Tours in a single year.

Allison Jones is a Paralympic skier and cyclist from the United States. She has achieved great success in both skiing and cycling, winning multiple medals at the Paralympic Games. She has received accolades for her athletic achievements, including a gold medal in slalom skiing at the 2006 Winter Paralympics and a silver medal in cycling at the 2008 Summer Paralympics. Allison has also earned a mechanical engineering degree and is known for her determination and perseverance in overcoming physical challenges to excel in sports.

Dave Mirra was an accomplished American BMX rider and rallycross racer. He held the record for most medals in BMX Freestyle at the X Games and consistently earned BMX medals at the event from 1995 to 2009. Mirra also competed in rallycross racing with the Subaru Rally Team USA. He was sponsored by Haro Bikes before starting his own bike company. Mirra was part of the winning team in the 2014 Race Across America competition. His contributions to BMX and rallycross earned him a spot in the BMX Hall of Fame.

Amber Neben is an accomplished American racing cyclist who has had a successful career in the sport. She has competed for UCI Women's Continental Team Cogeas–Mettler–Look and has achieved significant victories, including winning the UCI world time trial championship in 2008 and 2016. Additionally, she has claimed the U.S. national road race championship in 2003 and 2017. Neben's dedication and skill have solidified her reputation as a top cyclist in the professional racing circuit, earning her numerous accolades throughout her career.

John Tomac is an American former professional cyclist known for his versatility in competing in multiple disciplines, including BMX racing, cross-country, road racing, trials riding, and downhill racing. He became a mountain bike racing icon in the late 1980s and was a dominant figure in the sport until his retirement in 2005. Tomac holds the record for the most mountain bike race wins in the sport's history. He was inducted into both the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 1991 and the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 2004.