Letizia Paternoster, an Italian cyclist born in the picturesque Trentino region, has already made quite a mark on the cycling world by her early twenties. Her journey began as a toddler, when, it seems, her first real words were more about tricycles than toys. She recalls her mother wanting her to take ballet instead, but the pull of cycling was undeniable; the bike captured her heart long before she ever had the strength to walk correctly. This burning passion led her to become one of Italy’s brightest young talents, securing gold in the team pursuit at the European Track Championships in 2017 and consistently raising the bar since turning professional in 2018.

A series of victories—first in junior championships, then adapting quickly to the rigors of elite competition—marked her transition from promising youth to professional success. Winning bronze in the madison at the World Championships filled her with pride, yet she acknowledges that her ambitions stretch beyond them. “My biggest dream is the Olympics,” she confides; this dream isn’t just a passing fancy, but a deep-seated goal she’s chasing with relentless determination.

However, the path is nuanced. Amid victories, there’s still a palpable unease as she navigates the perceptions of women in sport. “I’m not a model, I’m a woman who can ride her bike fast,” she states, hinting at the stereotypes that plague female athletes, even in a sport where they blossom like flowers through cracks in concrete. She seems acutely aware of the weight of expectations poised atop her youthful shoulders, uncertain yet hopeful.

As Letizia gears towards the Olympics, the world watches, marveling at her potential. Even as she travels between competitions, she dreams of islands and sun, and perhaps a medal that gleams bright as her ambition. Life is a race, and she’s determined to sprint ahead, confident that her best is yet to come.