Wearing the white jersey with rainbow stripes — reserved for world champions — cyclist Yareli Acevedo arrived in Mexico City with a smile as bright as the gold medal she earned in the points race at the World Championships in Santiago, Chile.
Proud yet emotional, the 24-year-old rider said the title was “just one goal” on her road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
“I’m very happy, with many emotions and so glad to be home. This medal is the result of years of effort, sacrifice, and tears — it’s the fruit of a long journey,” she told reporters upon arrival, where her family and the media awaited her.
Representing UNAM, Acevedo proudly displayed the medal that makes her only the second Mexican woman ever to win a world cycling title, following Nancy Llareli Contreras, who triumphed in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2001.
“My name is Yareli in honor of a world champion. Today, Mexico has two with the same name — it’s a feeling I still can’t process. It hasn’t sunk in yet; it was a day I’ll never forget,” she said.
Acevedo secured gold with 63 points, outperforming world medalists Anna Morris and Bryony Both, who completed the podium. “The last eight laps were pure madness. When I looked at the scoreboard, I realized I could finish in the top three — that pushed me to go all out,” she recalled.
The Peñalolén Velodrome in Chile’s capital — where she had previously won gold in the omnium at the 2023 Pan American Games — once again witnessed her triumph.
“I knew it was all or nothing. If my strategy failed, I’d finish fifth — but if it worked, I’d be world champion. I had no strength left, but that day I pedaled with all of Mexico behind me, with heart and determination — and we did it. It’s been an epic year for me,” she summarized.
Looking ahead to Los Angeles 2028, Yareli hopes to continue improving and reach her peak form in time for the Olympics.
“It’s going to be a tough battle, but if you can dream it, you can achieve it. I hope my world title inspires other cyclists so that soon we’ll see more Mexican medals on the world stage.”
Acevedo’s rise began in 2024, when she made history by finishing sixth in the women’s omnium at the World Championships in Denmark. She also stood out in the UCI Track Champions League in London, becoming the first Mexican woman to win a race in the event — during the women’s elimination race.