Costa sets sights on 2021 Pan Ams

Olympic-bound road cyclist Alexi Costa delivered her first and last performance of an interrupted 2020 season at the Torneo Internacional de pista in Cali, Colombia, from December 11-13.

Costa competed in one omnium event daily and earned valuable International Cycling Union (UCI) points towards her 2021 UCI World Cup qualification.

On the first day, she placed fifth among 15 cyclists. A couple hiccups on the second day saw her finish ninth, followed by a sixth-place showing in the final omnium.

Costa was pleased with her display, as she used this event to get some time in on the track, as compared to her usual outdoor racing.

“I earned important UCI points which will go towards me being able to compete at the 2021 World Cups which I will be aiming for next season. My next big upcoming track event will be the Pan American Championships in Peru on March 7 to 11,” said Costa.

The 25-year old recently returned to the US to prepare for the 2021 season. In October, Costa’s coach Andy Sparks told her about the Torneo International de pista and thought it would be a good event for her to target.

She then transitioned to more track-oriented training and continued strength and conditioning. Costa was one of the only competitors to participate on all three days. Some of the women did not race every day so there were some starting that day with fresh legs.

So she had “three days of omniums, which in my opinion is one of the most stressful race days for preparation. But I was definitely very happy for that opportunity, because you learn from your mistakes one day and you are able to correct them or try something different the next day.

“Normally I would get to race an omnium once a year, so the mistakes I make I don't get to correct them right away…which makes for a real great learning experience,” she added.

This was Costa’s first official race for the year since the pandemic hit in March. The Heatwave rider expressed pleasure at her long-awaited return to competition. She was unsure how her legs were going to feel after such a lengthy absence from pro competition, particularly track riding.

Competing cyclists came from Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador and France.

Costa flew to Cali on December 9 and said the organisers did a good job of hosting the race by maintaining all covid19 protocols and creating a safe “bubble” for all athletes and staff. She said athletes were tested on arrival and departure in Colombia and were regularly temperature-tested. Masks were mandatory when off the track.

With the Cali meet climaxing a slow year, Costa is now gearing up for a hectic year of pre-Olympic training and competition.

“I will definitely say that from now going forward I will be preparing towards Pan Ams. I am hoping to be able to do a track training camp about a month before competition, most likely in Colorado Springs, as that is where the US Olympic track is located, and my coach is also based there.

“I feel very positive starting this year and I hope that I am able to get to enough events to earn enough points because of course traveling expenses can get very high.”

Costa was originally scheduled to begin her professional cycling career with US-based CWA Women’s Racing Team in March. Owing to the pandemic, she did not join the team and has had to postpone her debut as this nation’s second-ever women’s pro cyclist.