by By Dan Ninham
Shayna Powless is a member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin and is Turtle clan. She and her fiance’ Eli Ankou, of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, live in Jacksonville, Florida.
Powless has been a world class cyclist. Her highest cycling accomplishments included being first place in the sprint classification at the 2023 Tour of the Gila, fifth GC at the 2023 Redlands Classic, third in the Team Pursuit at the 2022 Milton Nations Cup, fourth at the 2022 Pro Road National Championships, fifth overall woman at the 2021 Unbound 200, third GC in the 2019 Cape Epic mixed category, first at the 2013 USA XC U23 National Championships and first at the 2010 XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon National Championships in the 15-19 age group.
“So far this season, I have been focusing primarily on road racing,” said Powless. “I emphasize one-day races and stage races, along with the occasional criterium.”
Highlights include multiple top 10 finishes, a top 20 result at GP Oetigen in Belgium, seventh place at the USA Pro Criterium National Championships, and 12th place at the Pan American Road Championships.
Powless excelled at the Chicago Grit including 10 days of crit racing. “I am thrilled to take the overall win at the ChicagoGrit series,” said Powless. “This was my first time racing for 10 straight days in a row and I loved every single day of it. The highlights include three wins and podiums for the team every day except for one.”
She will also be competing soon in the SBT Gravel, a 125 mile gravel race in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
“Later on in the season, my sights will be set on the Tour of Ardeche in France, a seven-day stage race, and hopefully the UCI Road World Championships,” said Powless. “Training for these events include a mixed variety of intensity and endurance workouts.”
Powless is Oneida and a part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy including other tribal nations as the Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Tuscarora, and Mohawk. The Haudenosaunee Nationals are men and women lacrosse teams that compete internationally. They use their own Haudenosaunee Confederacy passports with international travel.
“I think that it’s amazing that the Haudenosaunee men’s lacrosse team is trying to compete under its own flag for the Olympics in 2028,” said Powless. “I would like to be able to do the same one day if the opportunity allows.”
Since the Haudenosaunee play lacrosse internationally, how about other sports be included such as cycling? We know two elite world class Oneida athletes that could represent the Haudenosaunee in international competition: Shayna and her brother Neilson Powless.
“I would love to use the Haudenosaunee passport in future international events one day,” said Powless. “Although it is not currently a widely accepted form of travel identification, I hope that one day it will be validated for international travel to all countries.”
Powless has support from coaches and sponsors as a world class cyclist. “Kristin Armstrong had been my coach for about six years and has always been there for me each step of the way,” said Powless. “Whether it’s race, nutrition or team advice, I can always count on her for the best guidance. She is also a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a huge inspiration for me.”
Alex and Cathy Fegan-Kim are the DNA Pro Cycling team owners, managers and directors. “Their support and dedication to the team and all the riders is unparalleled,” said Powless. “They have given me countless racing opportunities that I will be forever grateful for.”
DNA Pro Cycling is one of the most respected UCI Women’s Continental Teams in the America’s and races in North America, Central America, and Europe. The team, now in its 12th year, has riders from the US, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Great Britain, and New Zealand.
“We were fans of Shayna even before she joined our team,” said Catherine Fegan-Kim, Team Owner and Director. “We saw, during her time on previous teams, that she was a dedicated rider with a powerful engine. We had raced against her many times and witnessed her dedicated teamwork and great lead-out abilities, so when the opportunity arose to offer her a spot on our UCI continental team, we jumped at it.”
“Shayna is known for her long sprint power, especially in lead-outs, and is widely recognized as a team player. But she also embodies the role of a ‘rouleur’—an incredibly versatile rider who can win the Sprint Points competition at stage races, e.g. Green Jersey winner at the 2023 Tour of the Gila, while also being a dependable domestique. Shayna will also take on breakaway duties without hesitation, whether on flat or hilly courses,” added Fegan-Kim.
“Beyond her role as a team player, we’ve been thrilled to see her recent personal results, notably in the Chicago Grit series this last July,” said Fegan-Kim. “Over 10 consecutive days of racing, Shayna won three races and placed high enough in the other seven to win the overall series title.”
“Shayna is a true professional; you can always count on her to hop on a plane for a last-minute call-up to race. She’s loved by her teammates, known for sportsmanship and work ethic, and represents herself and our sponsors exceptionally well,” added Fegan-Kim.
“A great ambassador for the sport, Shayna is solid on the road, mountain bike, and gravel, proving herself as a world-class rider,” said Fegan-Kim. “We’ve very much enjoyed working with her for the last two seasons.
Photos: Patrick Daly, Adam Koble and Alyssa van Dooren
We are so proud of our Shayna. And we are so grateful for all the opportunities she has been given. We are forever grateful that others have seen greatness in her as well.