Neilson Powless
A groundbreaking road cyclist who became the first US Native American to race the Tour de France, blending climbing prowess with historic representation.
Born 1996 (age 30)·American and Oneida Nation cyclist·Birthday: September 3·Millennials
Biography
Neilson Powless rides with a unique weight and a distinctive lightness—the weight of being a trailblazer for Indigenous athletes in professional cycling, and the lightness of a natural climber dancing on pedals. Born in 1996 to an Oneida father and a European-American mother, his multi-ethnic heritage is a point of quiet pride. His career trajectory shot upward with strong performances in stage races, showcasing an engine built for long, grueling ascents. In 2020, he made history by lining up for the Tour de France with the EF Education team, becoming the first U.S. Native American to do so. Powless doesn't just compete; he contends, snatching stage wins in races like the Clásica de San Sebastián and wearing the Tour's polka-dot jersey as best climber for a day. His presence in the peloton is a quiet, powerful statement, expanding the visual narrative of who belongs in the world's hardest bike races.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Neilson was born in 1996, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Neilson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Neilson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first US Native American cyclist to compete in the Tour de France in 2020.
- Won the Clásica de San Sebastián, a prestigious one-day WorldTour race, in 2023.
- Earned the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey during the 2023 Tour de France after a dominant solo breakaway on stage 12.
- Achieved multiple top-10 finishes in Grand Tour stages, establishing himself as a versatile threat.
Did You Know?
His sister, Shayna Powless, is also a professional cyclist.
Powless is a member of the Oneida Nation, one of the five founding nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.
He initially focused on mountain biking and won a junior national championship in the discipline before switching to road racing.
He is known for his detailed and artistic race-day sock selections, often with custom designs.
“I hope I can be a beacon for other Native kids to see that they can do it too.”
