Co-Captain David Porto ’26 leads Cycling with an infectious energy and a communicator’s instinct that has shaped the team’s close-knit culture. Porto first got on a bike competitively in his Junior year after being recruited by former Co-Captain Daniel Zou ’23, who figured Porto’s background in cycling made him a natural fit. What started as a low-stakes experiment turned into a four-year commitment anchored not by competition, but by community.
Porto credited former Co-Captains Yasmine Tazi ’24 and Anna Ohm ’24 as the role models who shaped his leadership philosophy.
“They’ve always been really friendly and not intimidating to me, and also great athletes,” said Porto.
That balance of warmth and athleticism is something Porto has carried into his own captaincy. One of his primary goals is to keep the team’s spirit high, focusing more on energy than speed.
“I’m definitely not as great of a rider as I am a communicator or someone who tries to keep the energy up. My main role is making sure people are well and happy, and that the energy is good even when we have indoor practices,” said Porto.
His teammates have taken notice of Porto’s communicative and connected leadership. Jasjit Hargun ’27 described a moment during a routine practice when several riders were involved in a crash. Porto’s response was immediate.
“He quickly stepped up to the task, organized everything, made sure everyone was calm, made sure they were okay, and worked with the coaches to get help on the way. A lot of us were surprised at what happened, but he immediately got into action,” said Hargun.
Hargun identified consistency as the defining trait of Porto’s leadership. He is on time, open, and reliably available to anyone who needs support.
“He’s always consistently open and there for the team. If anyone needs help, he’s always there for us,” said Hargun.
For Porto, the soul of the team lies in its size. Cycling is a squad of only ten athletes, and he sees that as an advantage. It is one that makes genuine connection not just possible, but inevitable.
“Since we’re a smaller team, everybody gets to know each other really well. People get to have different opportunities to welcome each other, teach each other about the sport of cycling, and bond over it,” said Porto.
As a cyclist, Porto described himself as well-rounded with a particular edge on climbs. He will take that competitive spirit with him next year, as he plans to continue club cycling at the University of Michigan.
