by Jay Prasuhn March 21, 2022

The start line of an Ironman race in the women's pro category was a rough place to be in the 2000s, especially if Heather Gollnick was on the start list.

Gollnick was approachable and affable. Fans were happy to roll up for a photo and media members loved talking to her about how her season went. She was a popular figure at the pre-race press conference, with a wide smile that was genuine.

But it was also a pro-level facade. Because on race day, all bets were off. 

Heather Gollnick

In the 2000s, Gollnick regarded as one of the most tenacious racers on an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 starting line. With a balanced attack, Gollnick was especially feared on the bike. She had a driving power through her diminutive frame. It was finished with a relentless run that generally saw her to the front of the race, passing all those early leaders. All those women who knew there would be no smile; Gollnick was simply a beast to deal with on race day, and they'd likely end up with the short end of the stick.

The Wisconsin native was one of Quintana Roo's most successful female athletes in history. From the iconic Wildflower Long Course Triathlon and countless Ironman 70.3 wins, to an impressive five Ironman victories (2002 and '03 Wisconsin, 2003 Coeur d'Alene, 2007 Arizona and 2007 Louisville), and tons of Kona starts, Gollnick was a force on the course. Those back then will recall when she crossed the finish line her three children were there, and the exhausted Gollick would kneel down, re-issue that signature smile of hers, and grab the three into a massive bear hug.

"It was so much fun to go into a race, at peak fitness after putting in hard work, ready to see what I was able to do," the current Lynchburg, VA. resident says. "The thing is, I still love it. I still love getting the most out of myself."

She looks back fondly of her days racing with QR backing her efforts.

"I absolutely loved my bikes," she says, "and the QR team was the just the best. I remember racing in Kona one year. (QR engineer) Brad (DeVaney) came to me to grab my bike and get it perfect for the race. It was years ago and nobody did that back then for their pros. I thought that was the coolest thing ever."

Gollnick was not just a race-winning machine; she was asked her thoughts on a custom design for her bike... a decision that ended up making for one of the most popular signature paint designs in QR history. 

"They asked what I wanted, and I said 'pink camo'. I gave them some ideas on it and they came back with a bike design that I absolutely loved," she recalls. "And I think it ended up becoming a design that was offered to the public in the model line, which I thought was awesome!"

Gollnick left the pro racing scene and quickly transitioned to Spartan Race action, making a showing on TV several times as one of the most ardent and ferocious competitors on the circuit... not surprising anyone familiar with her triathlon acumen. 

Today, she not only runs her own triathlon coaching group, but she also serves as head triathlon coach at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia—where those three kids she was hugging nearly 20 years ago are all attending.

"This is the future of our sport," she says. "It's a wonderful mix of experiences; many of them are just beginners and some are top in their age group, I'm so grateful to be able to pass some of what I know on to them and help them reach their goals in the sport."

And she'll still line up at races, taking age group podium "I'm never gonna miss that desire to perform at my best. It's still fun for me, so yeah, I'll keep racing as long as my body will let me!"

And all with an infectious smile.

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Jay Prasuhn

Jay Prasuhn



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Size Chart

Quintana Roo Bike Size Calculator & Size Chart

View our size charts to see what frame size is best for you. After purchasing a new QR bicycle, our team will reach out to you to confirm your order and sizing information to be sure you have selected the optimum frame size.


V-PR + X-PR SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

V-PR | X-PR

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50
    OR
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5



On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

V-PRi SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

V-PRi

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S

    • FRAME SIZE
      S
      OR
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      S
      OR
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      M

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      M
      OR
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

    • FRAME SIZE
      L

On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

PRSERIES SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

PRsix2 | PRsix | PRfive2 | PRfive | PRfour

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    48
    OR
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50

  • FRAME SIZE
    50
    OR
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    52
    OR
    54

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    54
    OR
    56

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    56
    OR
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5

  • FRAME SIZE
    58.5



On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar triathlon specific bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.

SRSERIES SIZE GUIDE

Find your frame sizes for the following bikes

SRsix | SRfive

SELECT YOUR HEIGHT

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    XS
    OR
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    S

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M

  • FRAME SIZE
    M
    OR
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    M
    OR
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    L

  • FRAME SIZE
    L
    OR
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

  • FRAME SIZE
    XL

On the border of two sizes?
The right size may depend on certain body measurements and your riding style. Feel free to contact us at any time regarding sizing questions - our product specialists are experienced with finding riders the right fit by cross-referencing your information with our QR Rider Fit database.
Measure for Maximum Performance
If you're not transferring measurements from a similar road bike, to get completely "dialed in" for maximum performance, we recommend you see a reputable professional bike fitter that can fit you to your new Quintana Roo.