Young Boulder Cyclist Eyes Olympic Dream

Cyclist extraordinaire, Taylor Phinney, 17, will give Colorado something to cheer for this summer. That’s because this Boulder High School senior and self-proclaimed Guitar Hero nut will be competing in the Beijing Olympics.

Admiringly, it took only six short months for Phinney to go from competing in his first individual pursuit race on the track to making the U.S. Olympic cycling team. It takes most athletes years to reach this level in their sport.

Competition is in this 6’4” athlete’s blood. His mother, Connie Carpenter-Phinney, is a1984 Olympic gold medalist, and his father, Davis Phinney, is also a cyclist and the first American to win a stage of the Tour de France.

Another reason to root for Phinney this summer: His father is battling Parkinson’s Disease and says the attention his son is getting is helping shed some light on this difficult and life-consuming disease.

This Celebrity Examiner is rooting for both Phinney men to win their respective battles. Go Team Phin!

Photo Credit: PhotoSport International

(also published on examiner.com/denver)