Kristen Faulkner

2024 - 8 - 4

Kristen Faulkner Pedals to Glory, Bags Unexpected Gold Medal in Paris!

Harvard-Radcliffe - Kristen Faulkner - Olympics 2024 - Paris - Women's Road Race

From a Harvard rowing rower to an Olympic cycling sensation, Kristen Faulkner's journey to gold is nothing short of epic!

In a jaw-dropping turn of events at the Paris Olympics, Kristen Faulkner pedaled her way to a gold medal in the women's road race. Faulkner, who initially didn't even qualify for the Olympics, shocked everyone with a perfect timing attack, becoming the first American woman in 40 years to stand atop the podium. The grueling 158-kilometer (98-mile) course, which started and ended in Paris, was no match for Faulkner's determination and sheer willpower.

Faulkner's spontaneous success story is truly inspiring. A former Harvard-Radcliffe rower, she switched to cycling and made history by clinching the gold. Her journey from rowing scholar-athlete to Olympic gold medalist is a testament to her versatility and tenacity. The 31-year-old cyclist managed to sprint clear from the pack and cross the finish line at the Trocadéro in just under four hours.

This victory is particularly momentous as it marks the 40th anniversary of women’s road cycling being added to the Olympics. The last American woman to win this event was Connie Carpenter-Phinney at the 1984 Games. Faulkner's stunning win reaffirms Team USA's position in the sport, breaking a decades-long dry spell.

Faulkner's indomitable spirit was on full display throughout the race. With a keen strategy and impeccable execution, she outpaced favorites like Marianne Vos, who took the silver. This win isn’t just a personal triumph for Faulkner but also a significant milestone for American cycling.

Did you know Kristen Faulkner wasn't originally part of the Olympic team? Her qualification came as a wildcard entry, making her victory all the more astonishing. Additionally, Faulkner's switch from rowing to cycling is a rare and remarkable achievement, proving her extraordinary athletic ability.

Interestingly, Paris was also the location for the start and finish of the race, adding a beautiful backdrop to Faulkner's golden moment. The route circled iconic landmarks, making her victory lap a blend of athletic prowess and scenic beauty.

Kristen Faulkner wins shocking gold medal in women's road race (NBC Olympics)

The women's race featured a similar course to the men's but only a distance of 158 km (98 miles). On the 40th anniversary of the event added to the Olympics and ...

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Image courtesy of "NBC News"

Kristen Faulkner was not supposed to go to the Olympics. She won a ... (NBC News)

Underdog is an understatement for Kristen Faulkner, the American cyclist who didn't even qualify for the Olympics but is now going home with a gold medal ...

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

US rider Kristen Faulkner sprints clear to win women's road race at ... (The Associated Press)

Kristen Faulkner timed her attack to perfection to win the women's road race at the Paris Olympics. She became the first American rider in 40 years to win a ...

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Image courtesy of "Olympics"

Paris 2024 Cycling: Kristen Faulkner surges ahead to win thrilling ... (Olympics)

Team USA's Kristen Faulkner rode away for a sensational victory in the women's road race. A close finish for second place saw Marianne Vos take silver, ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

American Kristen Faulkner makes history with first road race gold in ... (USA TODAY)

Kristen Faulkner, 31, is the first U.S. woman to win gold in the race since Connie Carpenter in 1984.

Gold Medal goes to Harvard-Radcliffe's Kristen Faulkner '16 for ... (Harvard Athletics)

Kristen Faulkner '16 won the gold in the Women's Cycling Road Race on Sunday, Aug. 4. The former Harvard-Radcliffe rower turned cyclist finished out the ...

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Image courtesy of "The Athletic"

Kristen Faulkner stuns with gold in Olympic women's road race ... (The Athletic)

The last time an American woman won the event was at the 1984 Games when Connie Carpenter-Phinney placed first.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

US rider Kristen Faulkner sprints clear to win women's road race at ... (ABC News)

Kristen Faulkner timed her attack to perfection to win the women's road race at the Paris Olympics. ByJEROME PUGMIRE AP sports writer.

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

Cyclist Kristen Faulkner sprints clear to win Team USA's first road ... (CBS News)

The 158-kilometer (98-mile) route started and finished in Paris, with Kristen Faulkner crossing the line at the Trocadéro in a fraction under four hours.

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Image courtesy of "Today.com"

Cyclist Kristen Faulkner Win Historic Gold Medal After Joining Team ... (Today.com)

Cyclist Kristen Faulkner is the latest member of Team USA to bring home a gold medal after her win in the women's road cycling race.

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Image courtesy of "Cyclingnews.com"

Paris Olympics: Kristen Faulkner shocks favourites with solo victory ... (Cyclingnews.com)

Photo finish reveals Marianne Vos silver, Lotte Kopecky bronze leaving Blanka Vas out of medal position in fourth.

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Image courtesy of "WTOP"

US rider Kristen Faulkner sprints clear to win women's road race at ... (WTOP)

Kristen Faulkner timed her attack to perfection to win the women's road race at the Paris Olympics on Sunday.

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Image courtesy of "PezCycling News"

OLYMPICS'24 Women's Road Race: Kristen Faulkner Swoops to ... (PezCycling News)

In an exciting finale to the women's Olympic road race, America's Kristen Faulkner put in a very late attack from the leading group to take the Gold medal.

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Image courtesy of "Cycling Weekly"

Kristen Faulkner claims gold for USA in thrilling Olympic road race (Cycling Weekly)

American went solo in final 3km as Marianne Vos and Lotte Kopecky took remaining medals in Paris.

Who is U.S. cyclist Kristen Faulkner, the winner of the women's road ... (NBC Olympics)

The last time an American woman won the race was in 1984, Connie Carpenter-Phinney, in the women's road race Olympic debut. The 31-year-old was only supposed to ...

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Image courtesy of "Harvard Crimson"

Stunning Olympics Victory Earns Kristen Faulkner '16 Gold in ... (Harvard Crimson)

Kristen T. Faulkner '16 won gold in the women's road race at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, shocking the world of cycling as the 31-year-old American ...

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Image courtesy of "TIME"

U.S. Cyclist Kristen Faulkner Wasn't Supposed to Be in Paris. Now ... (TIME)

At this Paris Olympics Kristen Faulkner became the first U.S. woman to take home gold in cycling road race since 1984.

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Image courtesy of "EF Pro Cycling"

Kristen Faulkner wins Olympic Gold in Paris | EF Education-EasyPost (EF Pro Cycling)

Kristen Faulkner is your Olympic champion. She timed her attack perfectly in the closing kilometers and rode to the finish in front of the Eiffel Tower solo.

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Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Kristen Faulkner joins Connie Carpenter-Phinney as US Olympic ... (The Associated Press)

Connie Carpenter-Phinney finally has some company as an Olympic road race champion. The first and last American woman to win the most important race in the ...

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Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

Team pursuit next for US cyclist Kristen Faulkner: 'Want to walk away ... (USA TODAY)

USA's Kristen Faulker, who gave up a career in venture capital to begin cycling full-time in 2020, will be in the spotlight again in team pursuit.

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Image courtesy of "NBC Bay Area"

San Francisco's Kristen Faulkner stuns the cycling world, wins gold ... (NBC Bay Area)

San Francisco resident and Team USA's Kristen Faulkner won gold in the women's cycling road race after finishing 58 seconds ahead at the Paris Olympics on.

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