Cycling Profiles: Graham Pimentel

​In this cycling profile we feature a success story about a talented young triathlete from Naples Florida, Graham Pimentel.  Graham is a natural runner who competed in his first tri at age 12 and got hooked!
 
Several years later Jane and Joe Du Bois, the owners of our eight Florida based Trek Bicycle Stores, met Graham at the Naples Fitness Challenge Triathlon and were so impressed that they helped him out with sponsorship. 
 
Trek Bicycle Stores have sponsored Graham ever since, and recently hooked him up with his dream bike.  A custom Trek ProjectOne Madone, complete with Bontrager Aeolus 5 aero carbon fiber wheels,  the ultimate weapon for the elite draft legal tri circuit.  Graham is currently 19 and attends Queens University in Charlotte and he just got a pro triathlon contract for the Carolina Gliders in Major League Triathlon.  His first MLT Pro race will be May 20th in Charlotte.  
 
We wish Graham luck!  Check the Trek Bike Store USA FaceBook page for race results and updates on Graham's season.
 
Read on for a short interview with Graham…
 
How old were you when you did your first triathlon?
12
 
Where was it and what was the result?
Sudgen Park, don’t remember.
 
What sports did you play in High School?
Cross Country and Track freshman year. Swimming sophomore-senior year.
 
Did you receive any scholastic sports honors in High School?
Most valuable player, most improved, school records, 5 varsity letters.
 
What was your first big result in Triathlon?
First big result in triathlon when I was 16, I placed 16th at the North American Junior championships and qualified for that years Junior Pan American championship. (Junior elite category is 16-19)
 
When did you decide your athletic focus would be triathlon?
Decided triathlon would be my main focus when I was 14 after my first national championships and got to see what it was like for the people who stood up on the podiums. (I finished 45th out of the 75-man field)
 
What is your best discipline swim, bike or run?
Run, always was natural
 
Do you prefer the Olympic Distance Draft Legal races?
I actually prefer sprint draft legal races, even faster.
 
Congratulations on your recent pro contract, do you race for a sponsor or a team?
I'm now racing for the Carolina Gliders in Major League Triathlon.  Go Gliders!
 
How did you get connected with the Trek Bicycle Store of Estero?
I had the great opportunity of meeting Jane and Joe Du Bois during the Naples Fitness Challenge.  They liked what I wanted to do with the sport and I loved trek the company, so they’ve been helping me ever since.
 
How have they supported and helped you over the years?
Jane and Joe helped me by providing me with an opportunity to race at the high caliber level that I am with the proper equipment.  I was able to get my bike serviced whenever I had a problem for no cost.  Tony Catalina and the staff was always so helpful to me whenever I had an issue.
 
How do you like your new Trek ProjectOne Madone?
Two words. Sooooooooo stiff. Not to mention aero.  Everytime I ride it, or even just look at it, the bike reminds me of more of a machine rather than just a bike.  It doesn’t just get the job done, it excels at doing what it’s supposed to do.  Go fast.
 
What is your dream goal?
ITU World Champ has a nice ring to it.  That’s just talk though.  Lots of sacrifice if I want to get even near that point, but more than willing to do it.

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