Fwd: Tribute to Bunki Bankaitis-Davis
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Dale B Brown
Feb 2, 2021, 10:25:43 AM2/2/21
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Some of you will remember Bunki. We lost her to cancer a few days ago but her personality and achievements will remain.
Danute ("Bunki") Bankaitis-Davis
Early 1980s cycles de ORO/GVC Race Team
Mid 1980s Centurion Womens Team
1987-89 7-11 Team
1986 Coors Classic, Boulder CO
1988 Olympic team, Seoul Korea
1992 World Champ, TTT Spain
USA Cycling board member
Born to Lithuanian parents, Bunki Bankaitis-Davis started out as a volleyball player, earning a scholarship to Cleveland State University where she studied chemistry. Bunki then receiveda PhD in organic chemistry from the University of North Carolina where she met her future husband, Chip Davis, an amateur cyclist. She & Chip joined the cycles de ORO/GVC cycling team and quickly made her mark in regional events. She then was recruited by a new national team, sponsored by Centurion and organized in Texas. Next step was to the famous 7-11 team. She quickly became one of the top American female cyclists.
Among many top events, Bunki placed 2nd in the 1986 Coors Classic, Boulder CO. She then finished 14th in the 1988 Seoul Olympics road race. Next was a win in the 1988 Ronde van Noorwegen (Tour of Norway), in the 1990 Tour de Toona (Pennsylvania), and a second at the 1990 Ronde van Noorwegen, winning the sixth stage. She was an alternate to the 1992 USA Olympic team, and was a gold medalist at the 1992 World Championships in the team time trial, and finally retired from competition.
With her organic chemistry degree, she went to work for Amgen in Boulder, CO. Later she & other ex-Amgen employees formed their own company, Source MDx Inc, which does molecular blood tests.
Her son Armen is a successful MTB racer.
Mid 1980s Centurion Womens Team
1987-89 7-11 Team
1986 Coors Classic, Boulder CO
1988 Olympic team, Seoul Korea
1992 World Champ, TTT Spain
USA Cycling board member
and much more...
Some pics are attached
Brief, possibly not totally accurate bio:
Born to Lithuanian parents, Bunki Bankaitis-Davis started out as a volleyball player, earning a scholarship to Cleveland State University where she studied chemistry. Bunki then receiveda PhD in organic chemistry from the University of North Carolina where she met her future husband, Chip Davis, an amateur cyclist. She & Chip joined the cycles de ORO/GVC cycling team and quickly made her mark in regional events. She then was recruited by a new national team, sponsored by Centurion and organized in Texas. Next step was to the famous 7-11 team. She quickly became one of the top American female cyclists.
Among many top events, Bunki placed 2nd in the 1986 Coors Classic, Boulder CO. She then finished 14th in the 1988 Seoul Olympics road race. Next was a win in the 1988 Ronde van Noorwegen (Tour of Norway), in the 1990 Tour de Toona (Pennsylvania), and a second at the 1990 Ronde van Noorwegen, winning the sixth stage. She was an alternate to the 1992 USA Olympic team, and was a gold medalist at the 1992 World Championships in the team time trial, and finally retired from competition.
With her organic chemistry degree, she went to work for Amgen in Boulder, CO. Later she & other ex-Amgen employees formed their own company, Source MDx Inc, which does molecular blood tests.
Her son Armen is a successful MTB racer.
Great lady!
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