Mary Joyce Monton makes Philippine cycling history as she competes in the Women’s Elite race of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships Sunday in Montreal, Canada.

The Los Angeles-based Monton, 29, is the reigning PhilCycling National Championships road champion and was also the individual time trial and criterium gold medalist two years ago.

“I’m excited about racing in the world championships, but it would be a difficult race with the world’s elite racing,” said Monton, whose participation is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee headed by Abraham Tolentino and the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Patrick Gregorio.

It will be a tough 180.10-km race with Monton facing the likes of Demi Vollering (Netherlands), Kasia Niewiadoma (Poland), Marlen Reusser (Switzerland), Paula Blasi (Spain), Franziska Koch (Germany), Kim Le Court (Mauritius) and Lotte Kopecky (Belgium).

A total of 141 riders from 56 countries are on the start list.