Maple Ridge cyclist Maggie Coles-Lyster came away with a victory in the UCI Track Champions League international debut on Saturday in Spain.
Considered the greatest development in track cycling for generations, 72 of the world’s best riders delivered an exciting first round of wheel-to-wheel racing at the Velodrom Illes Balears in Mallorca.
Among the athletes competing was the 22-year-old athlete from Maple Ridge who won the Women’s Endurance League (scratch).
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The race started with a morning break of three riders. Coles Lyster wearing the Canadian colors, taking on Olivija Baleisyte of Lithuania) and Hanna Tserakh of Belarus.
According to the league, this trio quickly created a U-turn ahead of the main peloton in their race.
With two laps to go, that lead narrowed, leading to a very close finish.
Pushing back the chasing group, Coles-Lyster led the trio of fumbles and was the first to cross the line.
“The first four laps went smoothly and I thought about attacking because there were a lot of gaps, but then I ended up in front when Kirsten took off,” explained the local professional rider.
“With three laps to go, I saw them charge from behind and I wasn’t sure I could hold it because my gear already looked big to me, suddenly I had 50 yards left and I knew I had it.” , Coles-Lyster said.
“It’s amazing to be one of the first race winners in the UCI Track Champions League.
This from the registered yoga teacher and personal trainer who says she is fueled by positivity, laughter and gold medals.
She started cycling at the age of eight, in a discipline called cyclocross. She now specializes in track, where she races for the Canadian national team, representing the UCI Team DNA Pro Cycling.
The Velodrom Illes Balears venue hosted a large crowd, half of whom were attending track cycling for the first time. The experience gave them a technology-driven spectacle never before seen in cycling. Viewers around the world have tune in to watch Coles-Lyster and others race.
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