Southern California-based cyclist Ricardo Peña has set his sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, aiming for a second Olympic appearance following his debut in Paris 2024. Peña competed in the omnium event and said he is ready to go the distance to represent both Baja California Sur and Mexico once again.
Currently in preseason training, Peña is preparing for a quieter 2025, which will include a few national cups, world championships, and select team races, a contrast to the packed 2024 schedule that led to his Olympic qualification.
“I’ll approach this new Olympic cycle with more maturity,” Peña said, reflecting on his experience at the Paris Games. “Having competed against the world’s best has given me a clear sense of how to better defend Mexico’s colors.”
Peña is focused on his physical conditioning, determined to enter the next competitive cycle in top form. In late January, he competed nationally with the Crisa Seei Pro Cycling Team, which he has raced with for several years while also representing the national team in track events.
The race, however, proved challenging. Narrow sections and rain made it difficult to implement a strong strategy, forcing Peña to remain in the main pack and finish among the top 40. He placed 40th out of 124 riders in the junior World Championships held in Yorkshire, England, completing the 140-kilometer route in 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 29 seconds.
“It was a tough course,” Peña noted. “There were narrow sections, heavy rain, and tight 160-degree turns on wet pavement that made crashes more likely. Fortunately, I avoided any incidents.”
Despite the challenges, Peña had a standout year. In addition to his Olympic debut and the road World Championships, he placed fourth at the Track World Championships in Germany and finished as runner-up at the Pan American Championships in Guadalajara. He also delivered strong results at the Mexican National Olympics.
Only two Mexican cyclists, Peña and teammate Thomas Aguirre, competed in the men’s division of the World Championships, which featured over 140 riders from 42 countries.
At 23, Peña has already raced on cycling’s biggest stages. After Paris 2024, he is now focused on reaching the podium in Los Angeles 2028.