Maggie Coles-Lyster made the most of her opportunities on Vancouver Island last weekend.
The 13-year-old cyclist from Maple Ridge powered her way to four gold medals and one silver at the Provincial Track Cycling Championships at the Commonwealth Legacy Velodrome in Colwood, 15 kilometers west of Victoria.
More than 70 the participants were in junior and youth categories.
Coles-Lyster, who races with team Local Ride/Dr. Vie Superfoods, said she gained valuable experience at the event and savors each medal.
“It was an amazing experience. I raced as hard as I could, and it paid off,” said Coles-Lyster “I love each race, but especially the ones that contain elements of both endurance and sprinting.”
One of her golds came in the individual pursuit, where Coles-Lyster finished almost four second more than silver medallist Rachael Carey.
Melanie Von Stetten, another development rider racing for the Maple Ridge-based Local Ride/Dr. Vie Superfoods team, snagged two provincial titles.
Von Stetten won in both the individual pursuit and in the Omnium event.
Von Stetten is in her first year of elite competition, and has shown tremendous progression this season, according to team manager Barry Lyster.
“Developing women’s cycling is one of our foremost goals,” said Lyster, “so we are delighted to see such success.”