{"id":177586,"date":"2025-09-29T11:49:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T11:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/177586\/"},"modified":"2025-09-29T11:49:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T11:49:08","slug":"5-amazing-magdeleine-vallieres-moments-at-the-road-worlds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/177586\/","title":{"rendered":"5 amazing Magdeleine Valli\u00e8res moments at the road worlds"},"content":{"rendered":"

What. A. Day.<\/p>\n

Magdeleine Valli\u00e8res made history on Saturday, becoming the first elite Canadian rider to win the world road championships<\/a>. Only four times in history have Canadians medalled at the worlds in the road race \u2013 Steve Bauer, Alison Sydor, Linda Jackson and Michael Woods \u2013 but none have landed the coveted rainbow jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been dreaming about it for a while now, it was my dream to win it,\u201d the Sherbrooke, Que. rider said. \u201cI guess it\u2019s true now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Magdeleine Valli\u00e8res just broke a record held by Tadej Poga\u010dar<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

And what a way to win, with absolute panache. Toward the end of the 164.6-km course she launched from a three-rider breakaway, dropping New Zealand\u2019s Niamh Fisher-Black and Spain\u2019s Mavi Garc\u00eda. Then she motored alone to the finish, stopping the clock in four hours 34 minutes 48 seconds. Fisher-Black crossed 23 seconds later, with Garc\u00eda third, 27 seconds down.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the memorable moments of her fantastic day in Kigali, Rwanda:<\/p>\n

1. Her attack<\/p>\n

It was clear all day she was feeling good. But as the finale approached, the Canadian knew there was one option for the win \u2013 the final climb on the C\u00f4te de Kimihurara. The 1.3-km hill to the finish suited her \u2013 the cobbled climb, which averaged 6 per cent, was tailor-made for Valli\u00e8res, who has shown her punchy power on similar climbs earlier in the year. Sure, it was only her second pro win, but those who have followed her know she excels on that sort of ramp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI knew I probably wouldn\u2019t win in a sprint against Niamh because she\u2019s so strong and we were both really committed to this break, working so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch her go.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

2. Her victory salute<\/p>\n

And then when she crosses the line. Even though before the race she was fully committed to a big win, there is still a moment of disbelief knowing her huge goal had become a reality.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe girls believed in me, so I believed in myself,\u201d she added. \u201cIt was my dream to win it, and it\u2019s true now.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. The podium<\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019re Isabella Holmgren, who has won about 1,500 rainbow jerseys, the podium procedure is new to most people at the world championships. When Valli\u00e8res tried to take a selfie with the other women, UCI\u2019s David Lappartient had to step in to make sure the protocols \u2013 including the winner receiving a TISSOT watch \u2013 were followed properly. It\u2019s not every day you hear the national anthem play for you either, and the EF Education rider wondered, is she supposed to put her hand on her heart?<\/p>\n

4. It was clear early she was going to have a special day<\/p>\n

From early on, you could tell that it was going to be a special day. To some cycling fans, it was a shock win. But for those who have been following the talented 23-year-old these past few years, it\u2019s been clear big things lay on the horizon.<\/p>\n

On the course in Kigali, it was crucial to be at the front. At the back it was carnage with riders falling off the pace from the start. But being at the front doesn\u2019t mean putting your nose in the wind. Valli\u00e8res rode well, surfing in the top-10 and following wheels without burning too many matches. She knew if she played her cards right, she could have a very big result.<\/p>\n

Niamh Fisher-Black animated the race, helping break up the lead groupValli\u00e8res remained near the front, waiting patientlyHuge crowds lined the course <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

5. The moment she knew<\/p>\n

Back to that special finish. After she dropped Fisher-Black and the road flattened briefly before a short crest to the finish, watch here as she realizes what\u2019s going to happen. It\u2019s when she drops her head that Valli\u00e8res understands her life is never going to be the same. She knows she\u2019s about to become a world champion.<\/p>\n

MAGDELEINE VALLIERES IS YOUR NEW WOMEN ELITE WORLD CHAMPION \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\udf08<\/p>\n

What an interesting race and that behavior from the race favourites\u2026 I rather don\u2019t say anything. #Kigali2025<\/a><\/p>\n

pic.twitter.com\/osq5YB2aQ1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Luk\u00e1\u0161 Ronald Luk\u00e1cs (@lucasaganronald) September 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n