Recap: Pan American Championship 2014 Day 2 DH Finals

The second day in the Pan Ams, training was held during the morning until 1pm and determined classification for the finals of the next day. The riders were eager to see their qualifying times; and many of them came through with mechanical problems or flat tires, so the anticipation for the final was high.









In elite women, Mariana Salazar of El Salvador took first place, followed by Luana Oliveira (BRA) and Camilla Nogueira (ARG). Andrea Farias had mechanical problems, ending with all her parts available.






In junior men, Pedro Ferreira (BRA) won the qualifying with 2:05.518, followed by Junior Felix (BRA) and Carlos Alfaro (PER). Junior Felix's father was quite nervous as he knows that his child is one of the favorites to win the gold medal.

In elite men, the best latin rider at the moment, Marcelo Gutierrez (COL) takes first place in the overall standings with a time of 1:54.099, followed by Lucas Bertol and Wallace Miranda, both from Brazil. Marcelo was very quiet and 100% focused before his race. He knew that he had the pressure and just wanted to take revenge from last Pan Ams in Argentina where he was third.










At the end of the day, Bernardo "Mr. Whip" Cruz graciously invited everyone to session and see him throw down as only he knows how.





The day of the final, tension was clearly felt in the air; riders looked away from each other to plan their final run and hopefully to win the title of fastest rider on the continent.

Clouds make the light perfect to shoot

I talked personally with Andrea Farias, who got a bicycle of a friend of ours to ride the final. Ending in 6th place was a geat accomplishment for her first year in elite women, being surpassed only by other more experienced riders. Luana Oliveira (BRA) got a flat tire just 500 meters from the end for what would be a frustrating 5th place and Camilla Nogueira (ARG) was unable to improve her time staying in 4th place. In a big effort Diana Margraff (ECU) snatched the second place to Bruna Ulrich (BRA), thereby obtaining a new Pan American podium. Finally the first place spot was snapped up by Mariana Salazar (ESA).

Andrea Farias (CHI)

Luana Oliveira (BRA)

Diana's hard pedaling

Mariana Salazar (ESA)

In junior men, Junior Felix and Pedro Ferreira, take the first and second place respectively, achieving a desired 1-2 to Brazil. Mathew Branney (USA) finally comes in third.

Mathew Branney (USA)

The end of elite men was very thrilling, as the times went down as each rider crossed the finish line. Mario Jarrin (ECU) ended up with 5th place and Wallace Miranda (BRA) in 4th place, unable to upgrade their qualifying time. An excited Markolf Berchtold ended up in third place, earning a new Pan American podium. The Brazilian legend holds a record 7 Pan American gold medals and 14 top 3 finishes. Lucas Bertol (BRA) would only be a few minutes in the hot seat because Marcelo Gutierrez came with an unbeatable cadence finishing in first place with a time of 1:53.304 aboard his Giant Trance (Yes, his XC bike.)

Markolf Berchtold

Marcelo Gutierrez winning run

this event had a lot of coverage

Elite Women podium

Elite Women Results

1. MARIANA SALAZAR (ESA) 0:02:24,004
2. DIANA MARGGRAFF (ECU) 0:02:25,502
3. BRUNA ULRICH (BRA) 0:02:25,752
4. CAMILA NOGUEIRA (ARG) 0:02:26,875
5. LUANA MARIA DE SOUZA OLIVEIRA (BRA) 0:02:33,302

Diana Margraff

Junior Men podium

Junior Men Results

1. SILVIO CÉSAR FELIX JR (BRA) 0:02:04,224
2. PEDRO LUCAS FERREIRA (BRA) 0:02:04,723
3. MATTHEW BRANNEY (USA) 0:02:06,283
4. FRANCISCO MATÍAS NUÑEZ (CHI) 0:02:06,658
5. CARLOS SEBASTIAN ALFARO PERALTA (PER) 0:02:07,219

The brazilian legend Markolf Bertchtold still rocking!!!

Marcelo Gutierrez our best card at World Cups. Good luck for this year my friend

Elite Men podium

Elite Men Results

1. MARCELO GUTIERREZ (COL) 0:01:53,304
2. LUCAS BERTOL (BRA) 0:01:56,112
3. MARKOLF BERCHTOLD (BRA) 0:01:56,174
4. WALACE HENRIQUE MIRANDA (BRA) 0:01:57,297
5. MARIO JARRIN (ECU) 0:01:58,108


For more photos visit:

Adilson Martins Xrides.com.br

Omar Salas Album