In the world of professional cycling, the question of retirement often looms large. For many over 35, it's a topic that frequently arises in post-season interviews. But for Mavi García, 41 next January, her reason for continuing is unique. Despite her veteran status, she feels there's still room for improvement.

Unstoppable in Her Quest for Racing Excellence

Why Keep Racing? The Never-Ending Learning Process

For García, getting better is an ongoing journey. She constantly realizes, improves, and discovers aspects of her racing. Starting her career late has made her feel like there's always more to learn. "In this line of work, it's a never-ending process. You're always finding things to work on," she explains. Areas like racecraft and strategy are areas where she continues to grow. "There are always 1000 things to look at and try to improve," she adds.She also delves into older projects and strategies to find ways to do them better. For example, this year she went back to a previous training idea of increasing volume and elevation gain. "In training, it's all about getting the right balance," she says.

Adapting to a Changing Peloton

The sport has changed since García turned pro in 2015. The women's peloton is now bigger with more young riders, making racing more hectic. "There's no 'down time' like there used to be. It's flat out from start to finish," she notes. But she's adapting to these changes. "I was talking about this with Elisa Longo Borghini, and we agreed. It's different, but I don't mind," she says.

2024: A Year of Growth and Challenges

Going into 2024, García faced challenges with the fusion of her former team. But the adaptation has been smooth. "The year has been very different in terms of the material, but it's all been an improvement. Things are well organized, which helps me stay calm," she says.Despite not always getting the results she wanted in the Grand Tours, she had great starts in the UAE Tour and the Olympic Games road race. A stage victory and an overall win in the Vuelta a Andalucia also added to her achievements. "The Olympics wasn't the best circuit for me, but I was mentally prepared and it came out well," she explains.

2025: Plans and Aspirations

Her 2025 race program and objectives are yet to be finalized. The National Championships is a talisman race for her, but it's not always easy. "I don't ever get to the Nationals at 100% because it's part of the build-up for the Grand Tours. But I go there to win," she says.The 2025 Worlds will be special with a lot of climbing and altitude. She hopes the weather will be favorable. "I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. The Worlds this year were very disappointing," she adds.

Off-Season Training and Motivation

For 2025, García knows her off-season training will be harder. She wants to build on her 2024 start and improve on her early podium places. "I'm in very good shape going into the off-season. I'll maybe have less rest this winter to be sure," she says.Despite the end of her career being near, she still enjoys riding. "I don't do it just for the name or the money. Training every day doesn't put me off," she says.In conclusion, García's restless quest for perfection keeps her on track. Racing into her forties is just part of her journey to be the best professional she can be.