<\/p>\n
Born on 23 April in Jalisco, Cisneros discovered cycling almost by accident during the pandemic. What began as a family rule to reduce screen time quickly evolved into something more serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cI discovered cycling during the pandemic. My mum always told us that before using the phone, we had to do some sport. My brother and I started going out on the bike\u2026 and as time went on, I liked it more and more.\u201d<\/p>\n
He did not begin taking the sport seriously until the age of 15, relatively late compared to many European riders who grow up within structured development systems. \u201cI\u2019ve been in cycling for relatively little time compared to others who started at five or six.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cisneros describes himself primarily as a climber but believes he is adaptable. \u201cI adapt well to all conditions. I think I\u2019m quite complete.\u201d Standing 1.70 metres tall and weighing between 50 and 52 kilos, his physique suits mountainous terrain and general classification ambitions.<\/p>\n
Learning the European peloton<\/p>\n
His potential soon attracted attention. In 2023, he was contacted by AR Monex Pro Cycling Team, a Mexican structure based in San Marino. After several tests and a training camp in Mexico City, he made the move to Europe.<\/p>\n
The difference was immediate. \u201cIn Mexico, a peloton might be 20 riders, and after a while, only 10 are left contesting the race. In Italy, there are more than 100, and everyone is at the same level. If someone drops back, it\u2019s because they punctured.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Cisneros, the key contrast lies in depth and numbers. \u201cIn Mexico, there isn\u2019t such an exaggerated number of cyclists who can go and compete, and not everyone can be at the front.\u201d<\/p>\n
His progression accelerated in his second junior year, as he corrected early mistakes. \u201cYou realise what you were doing wrong, and you try not to repeat it. I was always focused on what I wanted to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rwanda breakthrough and national success<\/p>\n
Many international observers first noticed him after finishing 17th at the World Championships in Rwanda, on a demanding circuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a hard circuit. For me, it was even more demanding because of my weight; it\u2019s not the same holding 400 watts weighing 60 kilos as weighing 50. But I like hard races, and I knew I had good legs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Domestically, he also claimed the Mexican junior road title and finished second in the time trial. \u201cI knew I could do it. Maybe in the time trial I arrived with my legs a bit swollen from travelling, but that helped me in the road race.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Isaac del Toro effect<\/p>\n
Cisneros is part of a new generation of Mexican riders establishing themselves in Europe, and he is clear about the influence of Isaac del Toro. \u201cAfter what Isaac is doing, there are more and more Mexicans in Europe. And many more are coming behind.\u201d<\/p>\n
He is equally direct in his assessment of Del Toro\u2019s rise. \u201cIt\u2019s quite impressive how he improved so much in such a short time. I don\u2019t think any cyclist has had such rapid progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Cisneros, the growth of Mexican cycling has been gradual but consistent. \u201cFor three or four years, there have been a few Mexicans in Europe, but now there are more and more of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The move to Soudal Quick-Step<\/p>\n
Consistency proved decisive in attracting interest from Soudal Quick-Step. Rather than relying on isolated victories, Cisneros regularly placed inside the top 10 and top 15 in European races.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople who know the sport see who is constantly getting into the races. I tried to make the top 10 in every competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
Contact with the Belgian team developed throughout the season, culminating in a training camp in Belgium and a confirmed move to the development squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s extremely professional. You live alongside riders who win stages in Grand Tours or can win them. Every day I\u2019m learning.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also highlighted his relationship with Brazilian team-mate Henrique. \u201cWe communicate very well. It\u2019s easier to live together when you share a language.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tour of Rwanda debut and GC ambitions<\/p>\n
His official debut with the team is set to come at the Tour of Rwanda, a race that already holds positive memories for him.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, his ambitions are clearly defined. \u201cI see myself as a rider for stage races, for the general classification.\u201d<\/p>\n
For 2026, his focus remains measured. \u201cFirst, learn as much as possible and then do everything I can to make the best possible debut with the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite his short time in the sport, Cisneros speaks with maturity, and optimism.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf cycling is something you truly like, don\u2019t hesitate to do it. Like everything, there are good days and bad days, but there are more good ones than bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
With only three years of competitive racing behind him and already embedded in one of cycling\u2019s leading development systems, Said Cisneros embodies the steady international growth of Mexican cycling, a movement he believes is only just beginning.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Born on 23 April in Jalisco, Cisneros discovered cycling almost by accident during the pandemic. What began…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":501174,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,93896,17833,85],"class_list":["post-501173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cycling","tag-isaac-del-toro","tag-soudal-quick-step","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=501173"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501173\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/501174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=501173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=501173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=501173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}