There’s no place like home.
New Westminster’s Lilly Ujfalusi is enjoying the fringe benefits of competitive cycling – which includes travelling, meeting new people and racing the best competitors in the youth women’s circuit.
But coming home to race on the familiar streets has its special charm, too.
“I definitely enjoy riding here and representing New West and racing with my friends,” Ujfalusi said following her podium moment at Tuesday’s New West Grand Prix. The 14-year-old finished second for a second straight year, and while winning would have been a kick, the progress she’s continued to demonstrate on the two-wheel circuit is a great motivator.
She arrived home late Monday after competing in the Tour la releve de Rimouski in Quebec on the weekend, where her team – Cannondale p/b Fortius -- finished third in the team trials and she posted a third-place result on the road race.
Ujfalusi said she was still able to plan for the Cycling B.C.-sponsored youth event.
“I got in at 9 p.m. but despite that I was able to prep and bring my best for this race,” she said. “Right at the beginning, it was a quick start and I was really happy with how I was able to click in and get up the hill really quick.”
The course, which took riders down Columbia Street to Eighth Street where they climbed before cornering onto Carnarvon. The climb continued through to where the street levelled out briefly, and veered to the downhill stretch on Fourth Street and back around to the start.
For Ujfalusi, the journey to becoming a highly competitive youth cyclist started at a young age.
“When I started, I got into cycling with the goal of going to the Olympics. I really had no expectations of how it would come about,” said Ujfalusi,
who is home schooled but attended New Westminster Secondary last year. “I just came off the street riding a bike, and its definitely been a lot better than I could imagine. At my first practice I got on the bike and wiped out in my very first practice. (But) I couldn’t stop coming.”
The under-15 B.C. Cyclocross and track omnium, individual pursuit and sprints 2016 champion, Ujfalusi is going to keep on pedalling towards her dream.
“I’m definitely aggressive but not very dominant. I like to race hard and push my limits. … I’m definitely learning and its so great to ride with my teammates, the pros and learn from my coaches.”
