María Carolina Flores García Wins Second Time Trial Gold
María Carolina Flores García, a 20-year-old cyclist from Ameca, won her second consecutive gold in the women's U-23 time trial at the CONADE 2024 Nationals in Jalisco. A mountain biking specialist, María aims for the 2028 Olympics despite missing Paris 2024.
The national team María Carolina Flores García was proclaimed this Thursday two-time champion of the time trial cycling test at the CONADE 2024 Nationals, which take place in Jalisco.
The 20-year-old native of Ameca dominated the test in the women's U-23 category with a total time of 31:43.620 minutes on the circuit that is made up of two 20-kilometer laps, leaving second and third place for the Valeria Cruz from Potosí (32:01.196) and Johana Luque from Chihuahua (32:22.234).
María Carolina Flores, a mountain biking specialist who was part of the Mexican team that sought to qualify for Paris 2024 in the modality, is experiencing her fourth CONADE National Championships, of which the last two have obtained the gold medal in the time trial modality.
“I feel very happy for the first place, I feel that I could have done better in my race, but I am fine, it is always an illusion to ride, this is the fourth time that I have been in this event, for me, it is very important, and I can't stop feeling like “If I were playing like a girl because I enjoy it a lot,” she commented.
“I am proud that the work and love I put into what I do is reflected. The Nationals is an event that, since I started cycling, was like an illusion, I wanted to be there, I fought a lot to qualify and until now, I continue with that illusion. It is a very significant competition for me within the year, an opportunity to live with all my state team, to connect, learn and grow,” she said.
This year, the woman from Jalisco competed in the mountain biking World Cup in Araxá, Brazil, as well as the Pan American Championship of the discipline in the United States, and although she was left out of the Olympic dream, she assured that her dream remains intact searching for heading to 2028.
“I want to reach a higher level and continue representing my state and Mexico at a national and international level. I feel happy with what this year has been like, and I hope to continue with the learnings I have had, reach the next level and add experience,” she commented.
The triumphant cyclist, María Carolina Flores García, after completing the challenging 40-kilometer circuit in Jalisco. Credit: CONADE
After the gold in the time trial, María Carolina Flores will compete in the mountain and road events at the CONADE 2024 Nationals, on Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, respectively.
