Katherine Sarkisov of Team USA competes in women's U23 race at 2026 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships (Image credit: Getty Images)

Katherine 'Katia' Sarkisov grew up racing bicycles in Maryland, her younger sister Alyssa tagging along most of the time. At the age of 10, she raced in the 11-12 and 11-14 age categories in cyclocross and road events because there were no races for younger riders. Two years later, she was consistently winning those same races.

The family has roots in Russia, and her parents taught her to speak Russian before English. But she is very much an all-American girl.…