Pan Am Games, Day #3: XC Finals and Team Relay

XC Finals

The 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 Elite
Male Elite


XC Team Relay

Venezuela 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 Results

1. Colombia 01:06:29.62
2. Ecuador 01:09:24.27
3. Argentina 01:09:38.60

Full team relay results

While 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