The lesson from the women’s road race is simple: it’s always worth trying. Because sometimes, even if you’re not the strongest, the favorites mark each other, make mistakes, and all of a sudden the opportunity of a lifetime opens up for you.

The new world champion is Magdeleine Vallieres, Canadian, taking just the second victory of her career. She first arrived in Europe in 2020 thanks to the UCI academy, and now she wears the rainbow jersey.
“The strongest and the smartest won today,” said Italy’s leader Elisa Longo Borghini, who – like all the top names in Kigali, Rwanda – was left empty-handed while expecting to battle for the gold medal and the rainbow jersey. Instead, Vallieres outfoxed everyone, with New Zealander Niamh Fisher-Black in second and the ageless Mavi García, at 41, taking bronze. Together they anticipated every move, and they were right.

“My teammates believed in me, so I started believing in myself. I knew I was in good form and I wanted to finish the race without regrets… and I’d say I definitely don’t have any! This is a moment I’ve been dreaming of for so long. I’ve been preparing for this race for a while, even going to altitude… and now it’s real! Truly incredible,” said an emotional Vallieres, still in disbelief.

In 12 months, the World Championships will arrive in Canada, in Montréal, just a short distance from her hometown of Sherbrooke. Vallieres will line up there as the defending champion, with number 1 on her back. There could not have been a better moment to make a lifelong dream come true!