BOGOTA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Colombian athlete Laura Lozano on Sunday won the year's first major cycling race, the Quindio Women's Classic, on the Quibaya City circuit, the Colombian Cycling Federation said on Sunday.

    "I am very happy. I hope to count on a great deal of support for future events and hope to represent Colombia internationally,"Lozano said at a press conference in the Federation's offices.

    Lozano showed a good level of sportsmanship and can now challenge for March's Tour of El Salvador, the Federation said. She is considered as a possible successor to the World Champion and Olympic medallist Maria Luisa Calle.

    Some 44 cyclists from six teams took part in the four-stage Quindio race, the first major event of Colombia's cycling calendar.

    Colombia is sending four cyclists to the Tour of El Salvador: Lozano and Monica Mendez, Elizabeth Agudelo and Damaris Gutierrez.Jorge Ivan Gonzalez will be their coach.