Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye has officially retired from professional cycling, concluding a remarkable chapter in her life. This athlete, recognized as Nigeria's inaugural Olympian in cycling, shared her retirement news through a post featuring a montage of her career highlights.
In her heartfelt message, she expressed, "After many years of service, I am announcing my retirement from professional cycling. I step away with a deep sense of pride and peace and I am proud of the achievements and memories made throughout my career. Looking forward to a new chapter. It’s time to stop working like a lion and eating like an ant. Best regards, Ese Lovina Ukpeseraye."
Ukpeseraye began her cycling journey in 2013, encouraged by a friend from her village who noted her passion for riding local bicycles. Her rise from Delta State to the international cycling arena was filled with challenges, including the loss of both parents. She often credits her late mother for her unwavering support, stating in a 2023 interview, "If not for her, I might not be where I am today."
Throughout her career, she achieved significant milestones, including winning gold and silver at an African Cup event in Asmara, Eritrea, in 2018, and securing multiple gold medals at the African track cycling championships. At the 2023 African Road Championships, she clinched the gold medal in the road race. Her standout performance at the National Sports Festival in 2022, where she captured eight gold medals, remains one of the most notable achievements in the history of the event. She also showcased her talent at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in both 2021 and 2023.
The pinnacle of her cycling career came with her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she became the first Nigerian cyclist to compete at this level, qualifying for three events. Notably, she secured her spots in the Keirin and Sprint competitions at the last minute after Egypt's withdrawal, racing on a borrowed bike from the German team. In the Sprint qualifying, she set a personal best with a time of 11.652 seconds.
Post-Olympics, she signed with CANYON//SRAM Zondacrypto and enjoyed a competitive season in the European peloton, achieving a commendable 14th place at the UCI 1.1 Veenendaal-Veenendaal Classic, a challenging Dutch semi- classic.
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