My Journey to Victory in the Copa de Andalucía Fem Elite 2024
As I sit here reflecting on the past months, it’s hard to put into words what it means to have won the Elite Class of the Copa de Andalucía 2024. This journey has been both thrilling and challenging, taking me to some of the most breathtaking (and leg-burning) spots across Andalucía. This title wasn’t just about one race; it was the culmination of six rounds, each demanding something different, each testing every part of me as a cyclist.
The championship follows a points-based system, where consistency is key. You can’t rely on just one stellar performance; you need to be at your best in each race to keep accumulating points. And that’s exactly what I set out to do. Over six rounds, I fought for every second, every position, pushing myself through Andalucía’s rugged landscapes, unpredictable weather, and intense competition.
Each race brought its own flavor. One of my favorite aspects of the Copa de Andalucía is the range of terrain and race types. We started with fast flat stages that felt like a criterium, ideal for testing sprints and positioning skills. But Andalucía isn’t just about flat races! As we moved into the mountain regions, the climbing stages began, showcasing the region’s beautiful yet brutal climbs. Here, it’s all about endurance and strategic pacing—knowing when to push hard and when to conserve energy. These were some of the hardest races for me; there’s nothing quite like staring up a steep Andalusian climb and knowing it’s just one of many on the route.
The GC-style races brought yet another challenge, focusing on overall placement rather than just winning an individual race. In these races, you need to watch your overall time against competitors and balance the risk and reward in each move. I learned a lot about reading my competition and strategizing, keeping my eye not just on the win but on the points needed to stay at the top of the leaderboard.
Winning the Copa de Andalucía feels surreal. Not only did it push me to new limits, but it also brought me closer to the heart of Andalucía. Each town, each stretch of road holds memories now—of fierce competitors, supportive locals, and of course, that irreplaceable rush of crossing the finish line. There’s no way I could have done this without my incredible support from Family, sponsors and friends and the countless hours of training that prepared me for every type of race we faced.
Now, with the season behind me, I’m looking forward to a little rest, although knowing myself, I’ll be back on my bike sooner rather than later. Winning this title is the beginning of what I hope will be an incredible career in cycling. To anyone out there dreaming big—never stop pushing, never stop believing, and always keep riding. Thanks for following my journey, and here’s to many more races to come!