Squirt Cycling ambassador, Faranak Partoazar, 36, hails from Shiraz in southern Iran, where she grew up and continues to live. She set out on a path that wasn’t made for women, driven by a big dream and an even stronger will. Although a successful career as a structural engineer offered her a far more conventional and secure path, Faranak chose to follow the uncharted trail of a cycling career. Despite the many unspoken barriers that lay ahead, she kept riding—not only for herself but for the generations of women who would follow in her tracks.

(Faranak Partoazar with her brother’s bike—the one she secretly rode during the early days of her cycling journey (left)—and Faranak at her first races. – Photo courtesy by Faranak and her friends.)

“All these years, when many wanted me to stop, one thing kept me going through the breaking points, knowing that somewhere in Iran, there’s another young Faranak hoping to follow her passion and experience the freedom and joy of riding a bike without fear. And I believe the greatest reward for my medals and success is creating this ray of hope and a path in someone else’s life. So I keep grinding because I want to see where the limits are.” — Faranak Partoazar.

From learning to ride in secret at 21 to standing on the podium 14 years later at the 2023 Asian Games—the world’s second-largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics—her journey is a powerful testament to courage, determination, and an unwavering belief that cycling belongs to everyone.

(Faranak Partoazar celebrating her bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games. – Photo courtesy by Iranian Olympic Committee)

For Faranak, riding a bike was never just about sport—it was about freedom. Growing up in Iran, she faced barriers most of us can’t even imagine. Cycling wasn’t seen as something women should do, but that didn’t stop her. In the quiet moments of stolen rides, she found something powerful: a love for the sport that would shape the rest of her life.

(Faranak Partoazar enjoying the trails in South Africa. – Photo by Craig Kolesky)

She didn’t just ride—she fought. She fought against expectations, against the voices that told her to stop, against the limitations placed on her and so many other women. And she kept going, proving that strength isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about refusing to let go of what moves you.

In 2023, Faranak made history, winning a bronze medal at the Asian Games. But this wasn’t just a personal victory. It was a moment that sent ripples through Iranian sport, showing young girls back home that they, too, have a place in cycling. That they, too, can chase dreams others told them were impossible.

This short documentary, premiering on International Women’s Day, is more than a film—it’s a tribute to the women who refuse to be held back. To those who push forward, even when the world tells them no. To those who inspire the next generation to ride, race, and rise.

(Faranak Partoazar, a symbol of resilience and determination, captured during her team training camp in
Stellenbosch, South Africa. – Photo by Craig Kolesky)

Faranak’s story is a testament to the power of sport to change lives. She didn’t just pave the way for herself—she opened doors for countless young women who will follow in her tracks.

The film will be available to watch from 12am CET on Velosolutions’ YouTube Channel on March 8, 2025 . We hope it serves as a reminder that no matter where you come from, no matter the obstacles in your path—dreams are worth chasing.

About Pump for Peace Racing Team:
Pump for Peace Racing Team is a professional mountain bike team with a difference. The team draws its riders from underrepresented countries and communities with the aim of forging pathways to high-performance cycling on the global stage. The goal is to help its riders become leaders and through them inspire their communities to dream big while embracing the healthy lifestyle cycling promotes. By sharing stories like Faranak’s, we hope to break barriers and create a future where every rider, regardless of gender or background, has the chance to chase their dreams.

(Faranak Partoazar with her Pump for Peace Racing teammates Tumelo Makae from Lesotho (front) and Unathi Nxumalo from South Africa (behind Faranak), riding on a Velosolutions pump track in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Velosolutions is proud to support the team as their main sponsor. – Photo by Craig Kolesky)

The story is courtesy of Pump for Peace Racing.