Pedal strokes that leave a national mark

With determination and talent, a sports science student ran 81 km in the 2026 National Road Race and brought honor to UCundinamarca.

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office for Communications.

At 21 years old, Laura Stefany Pérez Tovar, a fourth-semester Sports Science student at the Soacha extension, took on one of the most demanding challenges in national cycling: riding 81 kilometers at the Tocancipá Racetrack during the 2026 National Road Cycling Championships, organized by the Colombian Cycling Federation.

Proudly representing the Cundinamarca Cycling League, he secured 22nd place in the Under-23 category, a result that demonstrates consistency, discipline, and rigorous preparation that goes beyond physical effort. Every pedal stroke was the expression of a firm purpose and a training and development process that has been steadily consolidated with dedication.

“It is very satisfying because it was the first objective of the season. Being able to participate and get a good result shows that the level is improving and that things are being done well, with an eye toward future events. This first goal of the year motivates me a lot,” Stefany stated.

Covering 81 kilometers demands not only physical endurance, but also mental strength. “Since last year, my coach, Ferney Bello, and I had been working on strengthening not only the physical aspect, but the mental one as well. We carried out demanding training sessions over 13 mesocycles, with the main objective of participating in this national sports competition,” she explained.

The athlete emphasized that her educational process at the University has been key to her performance. “The knowledge I have acquired at the University of Cundinamarca, I have applied in my training sessions and competitions. Understanding planning, the application of loads, and training principles allows me to better guide my goals and seek maximum athletic performance,” she noted.

Beyond the results, Stefany shares an inspiring message with the university community: “Fight for your dreams and believe in yourselves. In sports, there are more hard days than easy ones, but from those difficult days a strong athlete is born.”.

The athlete stated that she continues her training process with discipline and commitment, focused on her upcoming sports challenges. Her competitive schedule includes participation in the National Track Cup, to be held from April 10 to 12 in Bogotá; subsequently, she will seek her qualification for the Women's Tour of Colombia, scheduled from June 2 to 7 on various roads across the country; and, from July 2 to 5, she plans to compete in the National Track Championships.

These new challenges reaffirm her purpose of continuing to grow in high-performance sports and establishing herself as one of the rising stars of regional and national cycling.

With discipline, knowledge, and passion, Stefany demonstrates that sports are also a way to build community, proudly represent the institution, and embody the spirit of those who transform challenges into opportunities. Her example inspires the UCundinamarca community to keep moving forward, with determination, toward increasingly higher goals.

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