Ceci Lee: Turning Pressure Into Speed

Known as Hong Kong's "Little Cycling Queen," cyclist Ceci Lee has risen rapidly on the international stage in recent years. Yet behind the medals and acclaim lies a journey marked by sweat and tears.

A self-professed perfectionist who cares deeply about every victory and defeat, Ceci faced one of the greatest setbacks of her career at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Refusing to give up, she channeled her disappointment into motivation, transforming pressure into fuel for growth. "Healthy pressure pushes me to improve and reminds me to focus on every detail in training," she says. "Believing in yourself is equally important. I hope one day I can become a world champion; only then will I truly deserve the title of 'Little Cycling Queen.'"

Falling in Love with Cycling

Energetic and athletic from a young age, Ceci explored various sports, including taekwondo and triathlon, before discovering cycling. These experiences helped to build her strong physical foundation. "As a child, I was extremely active, so my family encouraged me to participate in different sports to channel my energy," she recalls.

At around 14, encouraged by her father, she joined the Cycling Association of Hong Kong, China's "Talent Identification Programme" and officially began professional cycling training. After three rounds of rigorous selection, she earned a place on the Hong Kong Youth Cycling Team, marking the start of her journey as a rising star.

What draws her most to the sport is the thrill of speed, particularly in track cycling. "It's exciting, dynamic, and full of tactical elements," she explains. "Different events require completely different strategies, which makes the sport incredibly challenging." Among them, the Madison stands out as one of the most demanding, requiring seamless teamwork and exceptional technical skill.

Making History

In November last year, Ceci made history at the National Games, winning gold in the women's road race, Madison, and omnium, becoming the first athlete to claim three gold medals in a single edition of the Games. "Before the National Games, my road race results weren't particularly outstanding, so I definitely felt pressure going into the competition," she admits. With her coach and teammates placing their trust in her, she delivered. "When I finally won the road race, I felt an incredible sense of relief. I was grateful I didn't let my coach and teammates down."

The omnium, her strongest and favorite discipline, proved especially intense. Despite already securing two gold medals, she remained nervous. After leading the standings in the opening events, she briefly lost momentum during the elimination race, causing pressure to mount. In the final points race, competitors focused heavily on her, disrupting her rhythm. In the end, she won by a single point. "Those three gold medals made me realize my potential was far greater than I had imagined."

World Cup

Ceci's momentum continues. In March, she claimed bronze medals in both the women's elimination race and omnium at the UCI Track World Cup in Perth in the first World Cup podium finishes of her career. At the Hong Kong round of the World Cup in April, she once again stepped onto the podium, securing silver in the women's elimination race.

"This medal made me feel that the gap between myself and the world's top athletes is gradually narrowing," she says. "It gave me even greater confidence and motivation, while also proving that my current training direction is the right one."

Cultivating Self-Belief

The lowest point of her career came at the Paris Olympics, where her performance in the omnium fell short of expectations. "Before the Games, my goal in the omnium was to finish within the top 12, but the result fell far short of expectations," she recalls. "I felt extremely disappointed and lost confidence in myself." With support from her coach and sports psychologists at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, she gradually rebuilt her confidence and intensified her training in pursuit of a higher level.

"It's impossible for athletes to stay at their peak forever," she reflects. "There will always be highs and lows, just like life itself. The most important thing is not to give up because of temporary setbacks; you have to believe in yourself." A verse from the Bible helps her manage anxiety: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." "This reminds me not to carry unnecessary pressure about the unknown," Ceci explains. "Instead of constantly worrying about the future, I should focus on doing my best today."

World Champion Dreams

As the widely recognized successor to Hong Kong cycling legend Sarah Lee Wai-sze, Ceci carries the "Little Cycling Queen" nickname with both pride and pressure. "In my mind, Sarah Lee and Wong Kam Po are the true cycling legends. They are world champions," she says humbly. "Compared to them, I'm still working hard to improve myself. I hope one day I can become a world champion too." Still, the title has also strengthened her confidence. "When people call me 'Little Cycling Queen,' I feel their trust and expectations, and it makes me believe in myself more. But at the same time, I'm afraid of disappointing them, so the title is both pressure and motivation."

She credits Sarah Lee as one of her greatest inspirations: "Sarah showed us that Hong Kong athletes can stand on the world stage. Goals that once seemed impossible suddenly felt achievable." Another athlete who deeply inspired her is Japanese cyclist Yumi Kajihara, silver medalist in the omnium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the first Asian cyclist to win an Olympic medal in middle-distance track events. "In the past, many people believed Asian athletes were disadvantaged in endurance events because of physical limitations," Ceci says. "But Yumi gave Asian female athletes hope. If she can do it, why can't I?

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Ceci is focused on the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in September and the Track Cycling World Championships in October, determined to deliver strong performances and continue her upward trajectory. For now, all eyes remain on how Hong Kong's "Little Cycling Queen" continues turning pressure into speed.

"When people call me 'Little Cycling Queen,' I feel a sense of trust and expectation — and it makes me believe in myself more."

About Ceci Lee

At 25, Hong Kong cyclist Ceci Lee has already achieved numerous remarkable milestones. At the 15th National Games, she successfully defended her women's road race title while also winning gold in the Madison and omnium events, making history with three gold medals in a single edition of the Games.

In March this year, she claimed bronze medals in the women's elimination race and omnium at the UCI Track World Cup in Perth, marking the first World Cup podium finishes of her career. At the Hong Kong round of the World Cup in April, she secured silver in the women's elimination race and was also honored with the 2025 Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards for Women.