Watch CBS News

Roseville Teen's Tour Of California Finish Has Cycling World Buzzing

ROSEVILLE (CBS13) — A Roseville 19-year-old is the new big thing in professional cycling after an impressive Top 10 finish in the Tour of California.

Neilson Powless has only been a road cyclist for a year, and suddenly everyone in the sport knows his name.

One day after that finish, CBS13 sat down with Powless at Cesar Chavez Park, across from the hotel where he spent part of his day on the phone with sports agents going over his suddenly highly marketable future.

"It's been a rush of emotions," he said, "and it's a lot to take in."

Broadcasters gushed as he climbed a mountain to his new-found worldwide success. Lance Armstrong tweeted his support for Powless.

The 19-year-old took the podium in Sacramento with the white jersey as the race's overall best young rider.

A day later, it's still sinking in.

"It was really surreal, and still even right now, i'm kind of in awe that it even happened," he said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.