Neilson Powless and his sister, Shayna, share a passion for professional cycling, which is evident in their chosen career paths.
Shayna was previously affiliated with the BMC MTB Development team from 2012-2014 and the Liv Co-Factory MTB team from 2015-2016.
Afterward, she spent several years racing with Sho-Air Twenty 20, and currently, in 2023, she competes for DNA Pro Cycling.
On the other hand, Neilson currently rides for UCI WorldTeam EF Education-EasyPost.
He previously rode for professional teams like Axeon-Hagens Berman and LottoNL-Jumbo.
Moreover, the Florida-born cyclist is the first US native American to compete in the Tour de France.
Regarding his personal life, Neilson exchanged wedding vows with his wife, Frances Chae, a professional dancer, on November 7, 2020.
The couple is expecting a baby, due in October 2023.
Neilson Powless Sister Shayna Is Also A Cyclist
Neilson Powless was born to parents, Jack Powless and Jen Powless, on September 3, 1996. He grew up with one elder sister, Shayna Powless, born on January 8, 1994.
The athletic genes run in the Powless family.
His father, Jack Powless, was a nationally ranked triathlete, and his mother, Jen Powless, represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics as a marathon runner.
Not only that, Neilson’s sister, Shayna, currently competes as a professional cyclist for DNA Pro Cycling.
Shayna initially started her journey in competitive sports as a runner and triathlete during her elementary and high school years.
However, in her senior year of high school in 2012, she made the decision to focus solely on cross-country mountain biking, leaving behind her participation in various sports.
Throughout her career, Shayna has also represented the national team and secured the mountain bike national championship title in 2013.
While studying at UCLA, she actively competed in both road and mountain bike racing alongside the UCLA cycling team.
In 2016, she graduated with B.A. in Psychology and pursued a career as a physical therapy aide.
Shayna Soon To Be Married To Eli Ankou, A Professional Football Player
The professional racing cyclist, Shayna Powless, announced her engagement to Canadian professional football player Eli Ankou.
Taking to Instagram on March 2, 2021, the couple shared the joyful news with their followers.
Powless and Ankou’s love story began back in 2013 when they crossed paths while studying at UCLA. Since then, their bond has only grown stronger.
Currently, Ankou plays as a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills.
The Canada-born player previously played for teams like Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans.
However, his impact extends far beyond football.
Alongside his fiancée Shayna Powless, Ankou co-founded the Dream Catcher Foundation.
The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).
