"I feel a responsibility" - First Native American Tour de France rider Neilson Powless wants to inspire more from his community to start cycling

EF Education-EasyPost rider Neilson Powless is more than just any cyclist, he’s the first Native American to ever race at the Tour de France. Powless recently spoke with Men’s Health about his background, his racing career, and how he hopes his achievements can inspire others from within the Native American community.

The 28 year old won the Clasica de San Sebastian back in 2021, but is still searching for the elusive grand tour stage victory, despite having worn the polka dot jersey during the 2023 Tour de France. Powless grew up in California, away from his family’s community in Wisconsin, "For the people there, cycling was something completely foreign," Powless says. "But they loved that my sister and I were doing something outside the norm."

Powless gets his athletic abilities from his mother Jen Allred, who ran in 1992 Olympic marathon, and his older sister Shayna Powless is also a professional cyclist.

"Cycling gave me this huge ocean of competition. I felt like I was closer to the top level than I was in other sports."

But Powless’ motivation in cycling is about more than just winning races, he wants to introduce more from his community into the sport.

“Native Americans have very little representation in a sport like cycling,” he says. “I feel a responsibility to maximize the opportunities I’ve been given.

Powless went on to emphasise the importance his grandparents place on his native American background, and he says, “That connection to my roots has always kept him grounded.”

The EF Education-EasyPost rider also wants to raise awareness for Dreamcatcher Foundation, the charity started by his sister that helps to further raise awareness for Native American communities. The Dreamcatcher Foundation has a heavy emphasis on the high rates of missing indigenous women, that continue to trouble the community.

Powless came closest to winning a Tour de France stage back in 2022 on Alpe d’Huez, only to be beaten up the climb by Tom Pidcock. Powless will be hoping to finally climb that stage win in 2025, and to inspire more Native Americans to get involved in the sport.