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D’Von Hoder III

@midwestbikeracing

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Chicagoland’s Super Serious Cycling Page

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Three weeks to the day before this photo was taken, my mom passed away. Just 100 yards from that bridge, 11 years earlier, she stood proudly watching my (now)late dad walk me down the village sidewalk to marry @nate2453. Winona will forever hold those memories for us— and for her.

Last weekend, I was too sick & heartbroken to race @fatandskinnytirefest So instead, I showed up to support my @oliverwinerycyclingteam. I kept getting asked if I was my teammates mom. And honestly? As someone still deeply invested as an athlete — training, competing, chasing goals — I usually think of myself as an athlete first at races. I was puzzled.

So when the internet decided to meme this photo, I laughed too. I truly wasn’t upset. From one camera angle, without knowing my racing background or accomplishments, I can understand why people thought what they did. It looked funny. And for the record… I assure you it was a very safe distance. 😅

But what stuck with me wasn’t the joke.
It was this: I wasn’t being seen as a teammate, manager, or support crew. I was being seen as a mom. And I think it was supposed to feel degrading somehow — like being “the mom” on the side of the course was lesser.

But the more I thought about it… the prouder I became.

Because yes — I am a mom. And who better to support a team than a mom?

These women were out there battling national-level athletes like @higherdoserenovacycling . @greta_heyl rode her heart out for 5th on Friday. The team fought through a miserable rain-soaked road race trying to defend the overall women’s 3/4 lead for our sponsors and teammates; but sadly each race day failed to have her ( & Masters women) be recognized with a leaders jersey despite just as much hard effort as any other category, having the wave feeling unseen & irrelevant. Imagine the disappointment. BUT what we did have was a Mom standing there cheering with everything she had. I realized something important: my mom did this for me my entire life. She showed up. She defended me. She believed in me loudly. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy or popular, but she never stopped supporting the people she loved. (Cont in last photo)

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Ready to kick off the season? The Autobahn Omnium is officially back.

🏁 March 28–29, 2026
📍 Joliet, IL

Registration is OPEN now on BikeReg.
Chicago’s racing season starts here. Reg link in bio

📸 @thebeardandbokeh

#AutobahnOmnium #SCW #CritRacing #bikeracing #since1923

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Day 4: The Midwest scene is something special.

#midwestcycling #usacrits #criterium #cycling #bikeracing

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