Ayesha McGowan, the first Black American woman to race on a professional cycling team, will give a keynote address at the second annual Iowa Bicycle Coalition Bike Banquet.
The banquet will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Iowa Events Center. It will follow the coalition's annual Iowa Bike Expo, also at the events center.
Also delivering a keynote address will be Connor Fields, a three-time Olympian and 2016 Men's BMX cycling gold medalist.
~~~
Who is Ayesha McGowan?
Ayesha McGowan is a trailblazing American road cyclist and advocate for diversity in the sport. In 2021, she became the first Black woman to race on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Women’s World Tour, competing with Liv Cycling, a team sponsored by the women’s cycling brand Liv. Beyond racing, McGowan is known for her work promoting inclusivity and access in cycling, helping inspire a new generation of riders to see themselves represented at the highest levels of the sport.More about Ayesha McGowan.
Who is Connor Fields?
Connor Fields is an American BMX racing legend and three-time Olympian best known for winning
gold in Men’s BMX at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Raised in Nevada, Fields became one of the sport’s most consistent and respected competitors, representing the U.S. at the
2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic Games. Beyond his podium success, he’s recognized for his resilience, advocacy for athlete safety, and continued impact on the BMX community.
More about Connor Fields.