Raphael Clemente, a Florida legend

Raphael Clemente is a Florida legend. In high school he was a swimmer but got burned out. So, he bought a bike. His first race was an open race in either 88-89. He won. From then on Raphael progressed quickly through the ranks. Olympian Carl Sundquist would help him out with training. In 1991 Raphael hit the national circuit. He got picked up by a great team called "Bicycle Sport" out of Vero Beach, Florida. He ended up doing big races against the likes of Mike McCarthy, Thomas Craven, to the New England legends and brothers Mark and Frank McCormack. Eventually Raphael would race in Europe. He raced for a team in the Netherlands for a year called ASC Olympia. Raphael eventually turned pro in 1995. His goals was to make it to the Olympics. Even though he didn't make it on the team his time as a top athlete has served him well in life. He eventually left the sport in 1996 to pursue a different career. He's currently working in West Palm Beach, Florida. He has a daughter who's also a beast on the bike like her dad.