SHAGNE Yaoyao and the rest of the Philippine mountain bike team kicked off their campaign on a high note as they strive for spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 26-year-old Cebuana standout has amassed a total of 370 UCI points, including 95 points from her impressive performances at the recent Class 1 Thailand and Japan Cups, where she finished second and fourth, respectively. She also gained points from the Class 2 Asia MTB Series in Passi City, Iloilo.
Yaoyao’s remarkable efforts have propelled her to a career-high No. 115 in the latest UCI Women’s Elite MTB rankings. Additionally, she has led the Philippines to 33rd place in the nation standings with 792 accumulated points, placing fourth among Asian nations behind Kazakhstan (27th), Indonesia (31st), and Japan (32nd).
Supporting the country’s ranking, Adel Pia holds the 203rd spot with 194 points, while Nicole Quiñones follows closely at 210th with 188 points.
Yaoyao started the year strong with a silver medal finish in the Women’s Elite Cross-Country event at the 2025 UCI Thailand Mountain Bike Cup in Kanchanaburi last January. Despite an early setback—a crash in the opening lap that pushed her down to fourth place—she battled her way back to secure the podium finish.
Adding to Team Philippines’ success, junior rider Alexandra “Lexi” Dormitorio of Coach D Racing-Philippines claimed gold in the 13-kilometer Women’s Junior Cross-Country event. Her victory set the stage for a commendable showing by the national team.