Sports
How Thayná Araújo Started Cycling with Tio Negão
Two-time 9 de Julho champion recalls her first win at age 12 in Santos and switching from soccer to cycling.
Before winning national titles and shining at the Prova 9 de Julho, Thayná Araújo took her first pedal strokes in Vila Telma, Santos. The cyclist looked back on the casual invitation that changed her athletic path at age 12.
Before wearing the Brazilian national team jersey and claiming two titles at the traditional Prova Ciclística 9 de Julho, Thayná Araújo never even thought about becoming a professional cyclist. Her relationship with the sport began completely casually at age 12 on the streets of Vila Telma, in the Northwest Zone of Santos.
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Her first race on a basket bike
Her first encounter with competitive racing on two wheels came through a neighbor. At the time, a local mechanic and sports advocate affectionately known in the community as Tio Negão organized monthly competitions in a small square across from his shop. Encouraged by her friend, Thayná decided to enter an event combining running and cycling.
Without specialized equipment and riding a simple cruiser bike with a front basket, the young Santos native crossed the finish line in first place. The victory caught the eye of Tio Negão, who spoke with Thayná's mother and officially invited her to join the neighborhood cycling academy. Shortly after, in her first sanctioned race at the Campeonato Paulista, she repeated the feat and took the top spot on the podium.
From street soccer to cycling tracks
Despite her natural talent on the bike, her childhood dream had been different: playing soccer. Thayná grew up playing street soccer with her brother and cousins, dreaming of becoming a 'Sereia da Vila' for Santos FC. Her grandfather even enrolled her in a soccer school, but being shy as the only girl in the class led her to leave the pitch after less than a month of practice.
Encouragement from Tio Negão proved crucial in channeling the young athlete's physical talent into various sports before she made cycling her definitive choice. In school, Thayná played volleyball and took part in the Pés Velozes track and field program, winning every 100-meter sprint and securing the overall title. Her natural flair on running tracks and rapid progression in cycling academy training sealed her future in road cycling.
Thayná Araújo shared these early career memories during her appearance on the Stemma Sports video podcast Se Liga Nelas, in an episode that also touches on the challenges of women's cycling and behind-the-scenes stories from her biggest victories.
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