article_snippet: These are the women who are  defying the Taliban to follow the Taliban dream of becoming professional cyclists.
article_snippet: But the National Cycling Team has been breaking new ground for women's sports in the conservative Muslim country and pushing the boundaries of what is - and is not - acceptable for young women in the conservative Muslim nation.
article_snippet: One team member, Malika Yousufi, even dreams of becoming the first Afghan woman to compete in the Tour de France - a cycling event dominated by men since the National Cycling Team first event in 1903.
article_snippet: Playing catch-up: Zhala, a member of Afghanistan's Women's National Cycling Team, takes to the road with her team mates on the outskirts of Kabul .
article_snippet: Wheels in motion: Masooma Alizada (left), and Zahra Alizada (right) concentrate as they swoop down the side of a mountain near Kabul .
article_snippet: Hard yards: The women's cycling team is pushing ahead, despite not having been paid for several months - a problem for many Afghan athletes .
article_snippet: The women's cycling team is pushing ahead, despite not . having been paid for several months, a problem for many Afghan .
article_snippet: Cyclist Zhala unloads Cyclist Zhala bicycle ahead of a training session near Kabul.
article_snippet: The women's cycling team is determined to carry on in the face of family pressure and a lack of public support .
article_snippet: Fine tuning: Masooma Alizada (left) and Frozan Rasooli (right) take a break to carry out some maintenance on one of The women's cycling team's road bikes .
article_snippet: Cycling Federation, is not overly concerned.
article_snippet: has competed in several international competitions.
article_snippet: Pictured is one of the women's cricket team's bicycle pumps .
highlights_snippet: the National Cycling Team have been breaking new ground in the conservative Muslim country .
  
highlights_snippet: One cyclist, Malika Yousufi, even dreams of becoming the first Afghan woman to compete in the Tour de France .