Canadian cyclist Magdeleine Vallieres clinched victory in the elite women’s road race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships held in Kigali, Rwanda. Representing the EF Education-Oatly team based in the United States, the 24-year-old from Sherbrooke, Quebec, made a decisive move on the final climb of the Kigali circuit to secure her place in history as the first Canadian to win an elite road race world title.
Expressing her joy and disbelief at achieving her dream, Vallieres credited her success to the support of her team, including Canadian rider Alison Jackson. Crossing the finish line after completing the 164.6-kilometre course in four hours, 34 minutes, and 48 seconds, Vallieres outperformed New Zealand’s Niamh Fisher-Black, who finished 23 seconds behind in second place, and Spain’s Mavi Garcia, who secured third place.
Reflecting on her strategy, Vallieres highlighted the belief her teammates instilled in her, emphasizing her commitment to giving her all during the race. Following a pre-race altitude training camp with her fellow riders, Vallieres made a decisive breakaway move later in the race, ultimately seizing the opportunity to surge ahead and claim victory on the challenging course.
Acknowledging the tough competition, Vallieres noted that she recognized the strength of her rivals and made a strategic decision to push the pace when she sensed an opportunity to gain an advantage. Looking ahead to future competitions, including the upcoming world championships in Montreal, Vallieres expressed her gratitude for realizing her long-held aspirations in the sport of cycling.
