Robert Donovan

“My fascination with two wheels began at an early age with motorcycles. From the age of ten, I was riding motocross. I eventually transitioned to road racing and by the age of 21, I held an expert license with the AMA. I raced the local scene in the Northeast. My favorite track was Loudon International Speedway – it was dangerous, physically demanding, and very technical. I usually finished top-5 unless it was raining… then I just won! My racing career ended abruptly with a severe crash that landed me in the hospital with a broken leg, ribs, both wrists, a bruised hip, and a concussion.

“I knew I wanted to stay on two wheels, so when I healed up, I bought my first bicycle. It was a Trek Y7. The bike was sort of a hybrid but I never rode it until I got divorced. Once I started riding, I realized I preferred road riding, so I sold my hybrid for a Trek 1500. It was a heavy triple and it made me appreciate cycling before I spent a lot of money.

“I didn’t start racing until the spring of 2009. I entered a few crits and was hooked. By the end of 2010, I was racing road, crit, and time trials – anything I could enter! My very first TT was a 4th place at Harriman. In 2010, I wanted to take my racing and diet very seriously. I hired a coach, lost 60 pounds, and became very disciplined.”

Height: 6’0”

December Weight: 227 pounds.

Race Weight: 173

Birthdate: May 6, 1972

Childhood Heroes: “David ‘Lope’ Lopez , former Flying Tiger in World War II. I was always an aviation fan and he became a close pen pal when I was laid up in the hospital.”

Hobbies and Interests: “Cycling and sleeping.”

Favorite Movie: “All of the Alien movies and anything Schwarzenegger.”

Musical Tastes: “Nada Surf and anything Rock & Roll.”

Favorite TV Shows:Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, All in the Family. They just don’t make them like they used to.”

Favorite Meal: “Anything Paleo.”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “I don’t eat cereal!”

Favorite Pre-Race Meal: “Three eggs, oatmeal, and a banana.”

First Car: “1979 Jeep CJ7. So rusted I could see the road through the floor when I drove! But it was fun.”

Favorite Vacation Spot: “My bedroom.”

Pre-Race Feeling: “Nervous as hell, especially on the motorcycle.”

Early Racing Memory: “Just not wanting to be dropped the first time out.”

Funny Racing Memory: “Crashing out of Branch Brook. I was just happy I didn’t break anything! And my teammate won the race.”

Greatest Racing Memory: “Leading out my sprinter at the Blueberry Crit. It was like I won the race. What a feeling.”

Most Painful Moment in Life: “Learning my brother had cancer. Thankful he beat it!”

Worst Injury in Racing: “High-siding, while leading, in the rain, on the last lap at Loudon International Speedway. Concussion, two broken ribs, two broken wrists, compound fracture tibia/fibula – lost the fibula after several surgeries.”

Funniest Racer: “Teammate Joseph Meyers-Fuchs. Space Cadet!”

Closest Racing Friend: “Nick David. He motivates me to work harder. Always picks me up when I am down.”

Favorite Race: “Tour of Battenkill.”

Embarrassing Racing Memory: “Still working on that!”

Toughest Competitors: “Nick David, my teammate. He just made it seem easy this year though I know he was working his tail off!”

Favorite Athletes to Watch: “Jens Voigt and George Hincapie. I really appreciate the worker bees.”

Qualities I Admire Most in People: “Loyalty.”

What You Love Most About Riding Your Bicycle: “The sense of freedom.”