XC FinalsThe 17th Pan American MTB Championships ended Sunday with an XC race for elite and U-23 for both women and men. The race was marked by a large number of people, who were moving on the hill looking for the best positions to enjoy the race.
Before the elite race was the race of men under 23, over 40 in the squad, including many Argentines. Finally Colombian Jonathan Botero emerged victorious. Behind him changed positions every lap but the Ecuadorian José González gave the surprise by taking the silver medal. The podium was completed by the Brazilian Luiz Cocuzzi.
Botero waiting for doping test
XCO test for elite ladies showed foreign supremacy, as the veteran Mary McConneloug (USA) took the win. Behind her Laura Abril (COL) controlled to Mikaela Kofman (CAN) up to half of the race but could not stay and was displaced by Kofman (second place), earning the bronze medal.
The mighty Mary McConneloug (USA) wins!
Mikaela Kofman (CAN) on her niner
Erin Huck (USA)
Jacqueline Alvaez (ARG)
I love Canada!
Vanessa Marin (VEN)
Elite race off with 57 bikers from all over the continent, the best level of America was in the circuit of Ojo de Agua and well demonstrated in each of the six laps to be met.
Michael Broderick (USA)
Miguel Angel Hidalgo (ARG) and the crowd
This rider smashing Claudio's camera lens.
Fabio Castañeda (COL) alone on his last lap
Last half of the race of Colombia Fabio Castañeda was positioned in the first place, Avancini of Brazil and Gagne of Canada vied for second place followed closely by Valeriano from Brazil. The podium was finally to Castaneda (COL), Gagne (CAN) who attacked on the way and arrived before Avancini (BRA).
Fabio is attacked by Avancini
Fabio Castañeda (COL), 1st place crossing the finish line
Henrique Avancini (BRA) 3rd place
The Argentinian rockstar Catriel Soto finish 6th
XC riders Fabio and Catriel exhausted after the race
Final XC Elite podium
Pan Ams Gold Medal
Full Results
Female EliteMale EliteXC Team RelayVenezuela warming up
The Team Relay competition starts at 9:00, the countries in competition are Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile and Ecuador.
Riders ready at the start line
After a tough and exciting race, the Colombian team was the winner follow by Ecuador in second place and Argentina in 3th.
Mexico, Venezuela and Brasil after the first part
Two different lines for Vanessa Marin from Venezuela
In his statement Colombia said they were training hard for two months and they were proud to represent his country as one of the best. The first rider Wildy Sandoval (junior) had a good performance, and then Jonathan Botero (sub 23) grows the difference and for Laura Abril (Female Elite) y Fabio Castañeda (Male Elite) only keeps the advantage of 4 minutes.
On the other side, after a first round that left Ecuador in the last places, they used a strategy that allowed him to keep the second place.
Ecuador warming up and thinking the race strategy
Stone construction by the locals at the circuit
Argentina was 3th who had the best lap time, Catriel Soto (XCO Male Elite) with 15:05:97 who is one of the strongest rider in the Elite category and has good posibilities for sunday's race.
Local food has a good sweet tasty full of "dulce de leche"
Carina Olalla (ARG), World Female Master A
Paula Moschella (ARG) cadetes 3rd place at the finish line
The chilean rider Franco Adaos has a good timing on his race, and put Chile on 3rd place after the second lap, but isn't enough and the Chilean team finish last.
Final Results1. Colombia 01:06:29.62
2. Ecuador 01:09:24.27
3. Argentina 01:09:38.60
Full team relay resultsWhile there were details to improve, the Pan American MTB 17 left a good impression and past winners of each category was noted the hard work and dedication of each rider, making it clear that there is great potential in South America.
Photos by
Claudio Olguin