Filipina top mountain cyclist Ariana Evangelista is set to represent the country in the Union Cycliste International (UCI) Mountain Bike World Championships in Les Gets, France in the hopes of getting much-needed points for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Evangelista announced the development on her Facebook page, expressing her excitement as she became the first Filipina cyclist to join in the women's elite world championship.
"Hoping some Pinoys can go and watch me race there! Would mean a lot to me!" wrote the Philippines' "Queen of Trails" on her post Monday, Aug. 15.
"CAN’T WAIT TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES IN THE WORLD CHAMPS!"
Evangelista, who changed her surname from "Dormitorio," also thanked her sponsors for the accommodation and transportation expenses.
Evangelista has a rich resume in cycling, particularly in MTB events, having been a five-time National Champion, two-time Asia MTB Champion, and a gold medalist in the 2018 Asian MTB Championship.
The contest, slated Aug. 24 to Aug. 28, will welcome 800 athletes from 55 nations as the competition returns 18 years since the 2004 edition with the help of the French Cycling Federation.
There will be five events namely Olympic Cross-country, Cross-country Relay, Cross-country Short Track, Downhill Individual, and electrical assisted MTB.