CYCLIST Arlenis Sierra believed. Of course, she believed. How could she not after winning the Pan American Championship, with power to spare despite fighting off competitors during the difficult ride.

Arlenis Sierra (Manzanillo, December 7, 1992) said that the race was so hard - six kilometers uphill in Zacatecas, Mexico, at almost 2,500 meters above sea level – that 13 of the 44 competitors who began the race dropped out along the way. Not her.

Unlike the 2011 Guadalajara Games, this time the cyclist felt the pressure of being among the continent’s best, not an unknown anymore. Her rivals kept an eye on her since she was considered a favorite.

"When we went to Guadalajara, we never thought it was to win. Coach Leonel Álvarez had given me a lot of instruction to help me, like if there was a break, I should try and control myself, see if I could take off… But this time, I was the Pan American champion and I didn’t want anyone to think that the medal was an accident."

Timid by nature, describing a race in words is not easy for Arlenis, but she is a cyclist who knows how to read the moment. She knows when to attack, when to cruise, when to follow the wheel of a rival who wants to make a break and when to bring on all of her power in the final effort and cross the finish line first.

It’s something she has learned over time, since her parents Jorge and Esperanza encouraged her to take up sports. Nothing much attracted her until she discovered cycling at 11 years of age and soon displayed her promise at the National School Games.

She had the most success in long distance races, both route racing and in various track events like the scratch, although she admits she’s more comfortable on the road.

Mexico has always brought her luck, since she made her international debut in the 2009 Pan American Juveniles in Aguascalientes and came away with a silver medal in the 12 kilometers against the clock and three bronzes - in the points race, the scratch and individual pursuit. And, of course, in Guadalajara, when in an historic moment, she took the highest spot on the podium for Cuba, with Yumari González and Yudelmis Domínguez at her side.

Arlenis emphasized how privileged she feels to share her efforts with world-class teammates Yumari and Yoanka González, and that beyond the mutual admiration, Yumari (a 2007 and 2008 World champion) has become a special friend offering her advice and support.

"From her I have learned to never give up on the bicycle, no matter how bad the fatigue is and, above all, to race with desire and willpower," she said.

Thus when the troops began to spread out, after the first lap of the La Bufa circuit, she didn’t hesitate to make her move. Seeing Colombian Luz Adriana Tovar take off, followed by Mexico’s Ingrid Drexel and medalist Carmen Small from the United States, Arlenis responded.