This article was first published in Rouleur Issue 142

How did you first get into cycling—what sparked that initial passion?

It started with family. My brother Julián got my sister Carolina into the NorCal high school mountain bike program, and I'd tag along to cheer her on. Eventually, I thought: why not join in? Every teenager dreams of going pro, right? But reality hit hard at my first XC World Cup in Windham, New York – I finished dead last, not even on the lead lap. That humbled me fast. Still, I wanted out of California, so I headed to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. I joined the cycling team there, racing XC before dabbling in downhill, dual slalom, cyclocross, and even road racing. That's where I connected with my coach Carmen Small, who saw something in me I didn't see in myself. I gave myself four years through to the Tokyo Olympics to see if this could be a real path.

How would you describe yourself, both as a rider and as a person?

S: I always laugh that there are two Sofías. There's everyday Sofía – warm, thoughtful, pouring energy into my close circle of family and friends. Then there's race-day Sofía, who's fiercely competitive and honestly pretty selfish because that's what the job demands. On the bike, I'm aggressive, always hunting the best result that day allows. Off it, I treat cycling like my 24/7 life mission: sleep, food, recovery, all of it. But I make sure to show up fully for the people who matter most to me. The two don't always coexist easily, but I've learned they're both necessary.

You've got deep Argentinian roots, but built your career in the US. How has that dual identity shaped you?

I connect to that side of me a lot. When people ask where I'm from, that's my answer every time. Representing the country that shaped me at the Tokyo Olympics was a proud moment. But it wasn't easy – constant international travel for nationals, less financial support than USA Cycling offers. I've wondered what might have happened if I'd switched federations earlier with my dual citizenship. That said, carving my own path with Argentina's federation has been freeing. They're incredibly supportive of whatever Worlds, Pan Ams, or Nationals I want to chase. It's taught me resilience and independence. There's something about choosing the harder path that makes you stronger, even when the rewards aren't immediate.

Who would you say is your biggest inspiration in cycling?

That's an interesting one. I don't really have traditional idols or role models. My coach, Carmen [Small], is incredible. She's become one of my closest friends, and the sacrifices she's made for me, all based on her pure belief in my potential, truly astound me. I admire pieces of so many riders. Keegan’s [Swenson,Villafañe’s husband and three-time Life Time Grand Prix Winner] insane work ethic, Sarah Sturm's infectious charisma, Haley Smith's thoughtful racing style. I just borrow what resonates and build my own approach. The real lesson I've learned? There's no one right path to the top. Some are flash-in-the-pan fast tracks, others build sustainably for the long haul. I've chosen the latter.

You've shown remarkable consistency over the years. What do you think has been the cornerstone?

Again, my coach deserves so much credit. From day one, her vision was building a long, sustainable career rather than chasing quick wins. When you look at my trajectory year after year, you see steady progress because we've been smart about it – pushing just a little harder each season without burning out. That patience has been everything. In a sport where everyone's obsessed with the next race, the next podium, we were thinking five, ten years out. It's not glamorous, but it works.

What drew you to gravel racing after your multi-discipline background?

I approached it very much like a business decision. I wanted to be a professional cyclist, period – not just an XC specialist. Gravel offered better racing opportunities, less international travel, and a chance to tackle my endurance weaknesses head-on. Little did I know how massive it would become. I remember thinking Unbound's 200 miles in Kansas was wild – then suddenly I'm winning it. I even told Carmen, "If I ever say I want to race Leadville's 100 miles at altitude, tell me to retire!" Now it's an annual must-do. Staying stateside with Specialized to race the Grand Prix was the perfect pivot that led to this amazing chapter.

How do you look back on your 2025 season?

It was great – third time defending the Life Time Grand Prix title felt like all good things come in threes! I'm genuinely happy about it, though I'm not chasing that overall crown again this year. The pressure of constantly doing point math during every race took away from treating each event as its own beautiful challenge. That constant mental arithmetic hollowed out the joy I used to feel. I'm excited to approach races more freely this time around, hunting for specific peaks rather than being after consistency all year.

How's preparation going for 2026?

Really well, thank you! Just finished a solid seven-week build, followed by a restorative rest week. Skipping Cape Epic this year [she won it for a second time in 2025] gives us flexibility for a more gradual ramp-up – no need to peak in March. I'm expanding my support team too, joining Carmen at training camps and exploring ways to elevate training quality even further. I’m feeling strong and excited. Focusing on key events rather than the overall feeds the motivation and that's exactly why it's the right move.

What key races are on your calendar?

Kicking off with team camp in Girona, then some early-season racing, including Santa Vall (Gravel Earth Series) and Castellón Gravel Race (UCI Gravel World Series). I'll return for Traka 200; the 330km is just too long with my schedule. UCI Gravel Worlds in Australia is definitely the big goal, but only if I'm in peak shape. I won't travel just to participate. There's something powerful about being selective with your races.

How did you handle Grand Prix pressure last year, and what's different now?

Honestly, the pressure was all self-made. There's this narrative that it's win-or-bust for me, where anything less feels like failure. I didn't handle it perfectly – I let it creep in. Sea Otter and Leadville were rough. I was seriously ill for weeks leading into Sea Otter, and at Leadville, my resting heart rate spiked, and my HRV had crashed, yet I still podiumed. But I was far from my top level, and that disconnect was telling. This year, I want to approach it differently. I want extremely high peaks. I want to have extraordinary performances on certain days rather than be what I consider averagely good all season.

So, where specifically do you want to have an extraordinary performance?

Unbound for sure. That would be very fulfilling for me. I have an asterisk next to my Unbound win because it wasn't female only; there were no drafting rules. So, I would really like to get another win there when it is women racing women. Beyond that, redemption at Gravel Worlds in Nebraska after my DNF last year, and maybe one or two other events, where I can really bring something special.

You've been part of gravel since its early days. How do you see its current state and future?

It's transformed into fair, professional racing. Women now get equal starts and no-drafting rules like the men – that was unheard of when we began with chaotic mass starts. Promoters get it now. We're professionals treating this like our job, not like we're just there because we think riding 200 miles in Kansas is great. I've advocated for separate starts since day one. People looked at me like I was crazy, and now even former mass-start fans agree. Equality doesn't always mean identical. Distance-wise, it doesn't always make sense. Time-based equality, like in XC, makes sense for some events. The men-women's gap is closing, though participation numbers still favour men. But I'm excited for what's next. We've built something legitimate here.

What advice would you give to women pursuing gravel professionally?

Don't get sucked into Strava FOMO. Those massive Unbound training blocks aren't universal. Work with your coach to find your sustainable load and physiology sweet spot. Everyone's goals and bodies differ, so carve your unique path rather than copying someone else's. I see too many young riders trying to follow the same trajectory as me or whoever's winning, and it doesn't work. You have to know yourself, trust your coach, and be willing to build differently.

What does training look like for you, and how do you stay motivated after so much success?

Training brings me joy. I'm wired systematically, so checking off workouts feels satisfying – like completing daily missions. There's always room to grow: more power, better body composition, sharper tactics. Progression keeps the fire burning. It's not about chasing ego; it's about the process itself. I find myself enjoying the training more now; those small gains and incremental improvements are what keep me motivated.

How do you switch off from the 24/7 cycling life?

We're like really boring people! My husband Keegan and I like hanging out with our nine-year-old lab-heeler mix, going for walks. We both really like cooking together and keeping things low-key at home. No bars or clubbing – just quality time with the dog makes us happiest. We joke that we're the least exciting pro cyclists you'll meet, but that simplicity is exactly what I need. It grounds me.

Anything you'd like to improve personally outside of racing?

I'm very direct, which serves me well in racing but could use softening sometimes. My biggest growth area is celebrating others' wins more vocally. I assume people know they're crushing it, but positive reinforcement matters. Learning different communication styles is on my list.

Apart from racing, what are you looking forward to the most in 2026?

The off-season! I'm really into riding dirt bikes, and each year I keep getting better. It's something I can only do when I'm not racing, and it reminds me that being a beginner at something is special. There's no pressure, no asterisks, no overall standings – just learning and progression for its own sake.

And which races are you looking forward to?

I’m excited about what I can achieve when I don’t go after the overall. I have checked that box three times, so another one won't make me a better rider. I want to go out and perform on one day better than ever; taking that Unbound win will be even more special. I'm also excited about building out my support around me this year – more coaches, more shared responsibility within the Specialized off-road squad. The team's deep enough now that anybody in the men's roster or anybody in the women's roster could win on a given day. That takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders, knowing that every single outcome doesn't have to rest entirely on me.