| Evan Huffman | |
| Fullname: | Evan Lukas Huffman |
| Birth Date: | 1990 1, mf=yes |
| Birth Place: | Elk Grove, California, U.S. |
| Height: | [1] |
| Currentteam: | Retired |
| Discipline: | Road |
| Role: | Rider |
| Amateuryears1: | 2008 |
| Amateurteam1: | California Polytechnic State University |
| Amateuryears2: | 2011–2012 |
| Amateurteam2: | California Giant Berry–Specialized |
| Proyears1: | 2013–2014 |
| Proyears2: | 2015 |
| Proyears3: | 2016–2019 |
| Proteam3: | [2] [3] |
Evan Lukas Huffman (born January 7, 1990) is an American former professional cyclist,[4] who rode professionally between 2013 and 2019 for the, and teams. His notable wins include the mountains classification at the 2016 Tour of California, and overall wins at the 2017 editions of the Tour of Alberta and the Tour of the Gila.
Huffman, a multi-sport athlete at Elk Grove High School in California, first competed in cycling in 2007 and rode for California Polytechnic State University the following year.[1] He first attracted international attention with several time-trial victories and an under-age-23 national championship in 2012 while riding for the Cal-Giant team.[1]
Greatly increasing his international experience, Huffman joined, then the sport's No. 1-ranked WorldTour team, in 2013.[1] His placement on the team was due in great part to the efforts of Specialized Bicycle Components.[5] Going to Astana as the lone American and living in Europe while away from his home and family was difficult for him. Additionally, getting lost in the shuffle of a large team[5] led to infrequent racing, few notable results, and returning to California without a contract for 2015. He then joined which folded the same year.[5]
Huffman rode for in 2016 and had a breakthrough year culminating with earning the King of the Mountains jersey at the 2016 Tour of California. For Huffman, 2017 was a season unparalleled success for himself and for his team.[6] He took first overall in the Tour of Alberta and the Tour of the Gila road races. In addition to winning stages 4 and 7 in the Tour of California, Huffman was twice awarded the Blue Jersey given to the most courageous rider at the end of each stage.[7]
After the Tour of Alberta win, Huffman commented about his success: "I don't know what's better, two wins in California or the overall here. Earlier this year Tour of the Gila was the biggest before this, so I've just really shown a lot of progression in a short amount of time over the last two years with this team."[8]
Huffman dons a tattoo on his inner forearms and another across his chest, all designations of his Christianity. On Huffman's left forearm is a tattoo that says "Truth" and on his right, "Grace." He added the tattoos at the end of 2014 when he returned to the United States from Europe; they remind him of why he rides, races and sacrifices.[1] [5] He married his wife Heather in October 2017,[1] and resides in Northern California.