Leigh Donovan

Leigh Donovan (born December 11, 1971 in Orange, California) is an American downhill mountain biker cycling ambassador and women's mountain bike clinic instructor.
Leigh Donovan was a champion mountain bike racer, competing from 1993 to 2001, the most decorated U.S. downhill and slalom rider. Leigh retired from her professional career in 2001, with the world championships in Vail, Co. as her final pro career event (where she placed 3rd in the final downhill). Leigh went into sports marketing with Hansens energy drink (at the ground level of what would become Monster Energy). She then went on to own and operate a very successful clothing boutique in Temecula, Ca. from 2003 until she departed the retail fashion business in March 2011.
In 2010, at 38 years of age, a mother of a 5 year old, retail business owner (Tangerine boutique in Temecula, Ca.) and 9 years after retiring from pro racing, Leigh decided to try to make the U.S. National Downhill team. Leigh competed at a few qualifier events and took 4th place at the USA CYCLING National Championships, qualifying her for the UCI World Championships at Mont St. Anne Quebec Canada. Leigh finished 8th place in the finals, was the highest placed American and oldest competitor in the race, Leigh and her daughter carried the flag out at the opening ceremonies. Leigh and her daughter Grace carry the U.S. Flag at opening ceremonies
Leigh married in 2000 and had one daughter in 2005. Leigh has been a long time women's mountain bike coach and instructor for women of all backgrounds and skill levels, promoting and hosting her own women's only events over the last 15 years. In 2014 Leigh launched a coaching and clinic business called iChooseBikes with a partnership from LIV bicycles and SRAM.

Career highlights

• BMX Hall of fame inductee (2013)
• MTB Hall of fame inductee (2014)
• Only female in both MTB and BMX Hall of fame
• 39 UCI World Cup Podiums
• 9-time U.S. NORBA National Champion
• 1995 UCI Downhill WORLD CHAMPION
• 2001 UCI World Cup Dual Champion
• 3 time UCI World Championship medalist
• In the 25 years of the official UCI World Downhill Championships, Leigh is 1 of only 3 American women to have won the title, and the LAST American Female to be crowned.