American talent Kristen Faulkner will step-up to the WorldTour in 2022 as she joins Team BikeExchange on a two-year contract.
The 28-year-old only turned professional two years ago but has already demonstrated her raw talent, with several impressive and powerful rides, including a solo victory and third overall at this year’s Ladies Tour of Norway.
A former rower during her time at Harvard University, Faulkner started cycling competitively in 2017 alongside her job at a venture capitalist firm, before turning pro in 2020. She hit the ground running in her debut season, taking a stage win at her first race in Europe at the Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche.
GreenEDGE Cycling is excited to develop Faulkner’s talent and strength over the next two seasons and she will share a leadership role within the team, stepping up to WorldTour level with the Australian outfit.
Brent Copeland, General Manager on Faulkner:
“With Kristen coming to join GreenEDGE Cycling, we believe we have found a very intelligent and talented rider that will fit very well into our team. She started to ride a bike quite late in her life, and her results give us lots of hope for her future as she has progressed very quickly.
She is a strong rider and with her great determination we believe she can be a very valuable addition to the squad. She will of course need some time to adapt to the team, but we are excited to see how she can develop over the coming years.”
Kristen Faulkner:
“Team BikeExchange has a lot of resources that will benefit me as I look to take my cycling career to the next level, and I look forward to joining a larger team where I can grow as a rider and as a leader. At this stage in my career, my goal is to improve as quickly as possible and to have fun. Team BikeExchange provides an environment where I can constantly learn, receive feedback, take risks, share opportunities, and race with experienced team leaders. Since I will be living in Europe away from my home in the U.S., I look forward to joining a community that has a positive, welcoming culture.
With new riders coming on board in 2022, the team is undergoing a lot of positive changes for next season. I’m looking forward to targeting some of the Spring Classics such as Flanders and Liege, as well as some of the summer stage races.
I spoke to several people, on and off the team, before making my decision to join, and everyone emphasized the positive team culture. I perform best when I am having fun and surrounding myself with people who make me smile. For me, a positive team culture is the foundation for high performance. I attended a team camp in Italy recently and was amazed by how friendly and welcoming everyone was, both the staff and the riders. Furthermore, many strong riders have come through Team BikeExchange, which says a lot about the team’s ability to develop talent. I have confidence in the directors and my teammates for next year. I am really excited to support each other and see what we accomplish together.”
Kristen Faulkner:
Date of birth: 18th December 1992 (28)
Nationality: USA
Joins Team BikeExchange: 2022
Contract: 2022 & 2023
Top Results:
- 1st 2020 Tour Cycliste Féminin International de l’Ardèche – Stage 4
- 1st 2021 Ladies Tour of Norway – Stage 1
- 3rd 2021 Ladies Tour of Norway – Overall
- 3rd 2021 GP de Plouay