Canyon Lake cyclist headed to World Cup

BY Dawn Rankins

Canyon Laker Michael Davis is headed to Quebec, Canada to compete in the Québec City 2022 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup beginning Thursday. Michael recently returned to Canyon Lake from Tennessee where he competed on July 9 and 10 at the Nationals where he qualified for the World Cup and will represent the United States on Aug. 4 and Aug. 6.

In the 2022 USA Cycling Para-cycling Road National Championships in Chattanooga, TN, Michael took home two silvers, taking second place in separate races and finishing ninth overall in all categories at the championships. Michael hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games in France next year, which would be a monumental accomplishment. Michael has only been competing on a professional level for one year.

Canyon Lake’s Michael Davis competes on this unique cycle as a para-athlete. He recently qualified for the Québec City 2022 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup next week. He was injured while in the miliary and now competes professionally as a cyclist. Photo provided by Michael Davis

Michael is a wounded warrior and served in the United States Navy as part of a bomb squad. He was medically retired after being in a motor vehicle accident while on active duty where he suffered major injuries. He broke his neck in four places, broke every bone in his left arm and broke six inches of bone in his right leg. The injury also requires him to wear a colostomy bag.

“My amazing wife, Beatriz, has helped me be OK talking about the colostomy bag,” Michael said. “She’s helped me in being open to telling people that I have one. She has also helped me talk about the brain injury I suffered.”

Michael and Beatriz met during his two-year rehabilitation, one year of which was during his stay in the hospital. Beatriz was his caregiver and he said they met at the hospital and fell in love.

At Nationals in Tennessee, other cyclists were commenting to Michael’s son Mickey, how his dad seemed to take the hills with ease.

“It’s thanks to living here in Canyon Lake that hills are easier,” Michael said. “Canyon Lake and its diverse hills, turns and straight aways have really helped me improve and be able to get to where I am. Without Canyon Lake, I wouldn’t be competing in the World Cup.”