Pan American Games - JR

Brazil, July 14-21, 2007

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Stage 1 - July 14: MTB, BMX

Results

Adam Craig and Catherine Pendrel dominant in Rio de Janeiro

Adam Craig (Bend, Ore./Giant) rode to the gold medal in the men's mountain bike contest at the 15th edition of the Pan American Games on Saturday, while Catherine Pendrel of Canada rode strongly to take out the womens event.

Craig, ranked 18th in the world going into today's event, took the Outeiro Hill mountain bike course by storm. The first-time Pan American Games participant attacked the field to create a gap of over two minutes on his nearest threat - a gap he sustained until the finish. Collecting the silver and bronze medals were Brazilian Rubens Valeriano and Argentina's Dario Alejandro Gasco.

"It was great to come down here and win the first time around," Craig said after his victory. "Maybe that's good luck for next year. It is great to be competing with the best athletes in the Americas."

In the women's event, McConneloug, repeated her second-place performance from four years ago despite suffering two mechanicals. The American had a great duel with eventual winner Catherine Pendrel of Canada. On the fianl lap both riders came together, but it was Pendrel who managed to break away, finishing just over a minute ahead of McConneloug. Mexico's Laura Morfin rode in about three minutes later for the final spot on the podium.

"I did not have a perfect race due to several mechanical problems but my body felt great and my head was into it," McConneloug remarked later. "I am happy to have taken home the silver, but it makes me hungry for more. I had great support here and it is an honor to line up against all of these top women."

Richardson scores BMX gold for USA

In addition to the two mountain bike medals won Saturday by Adam Craig and Mary McConneloug, the U.S. took home another gold medal from the Pan American Games this morning compliments of BMX racer Jason Richardson (Carlsbad, Calif.).

The 33-year-old Richardson made his way to the eight-man main where he lined up in the start gate with Jonathan Suarez (VEN), Jose Primera (VEN), Herrera A. Castro (COL), Caicedo A. Jimenez (COL), Mauro Aquino (BRA), Cristian Becerine (ARG), and Ramiro Marino (ARG).

Although the American wasn’t a favorite to win the final run, he took advantage of an amazing start to grasp the lead in the first turn and hold off his rivals until the end. Suarez and Primera followed him in second and third respectively.

"This has been a tough year for me so I am happy to win," Richardson said after his victory. "Everyone at the USOC and USA Cycling took care of us and believed in us. This win is for the country and the U.S. Olympic Program. Winning feels good!"

In the women’s event, reigning USA Cycling BMX National Champion Krystal Hime (San Antonio, Texas) narrowly missed out on a fourth cycling medal for the U.S. In the eight-woman main, she joined compatriot Rachel Smith (Gahanna, Ohio), who along with Hime, is responsible for the U.S. being ranked third in the world in women’s BMX racing. In the final, Hime finished fourth and Smith seventh. The gold medal was won by Argentina’s Gabriela Diaz.

"The competition was good. They want to win as much as we do," Hime said following her fourth-place effort. "It was a good experience. I am not used to the tracks here though. It was a challenge for myself. I think it would have been a perfect race had it not rained earlier in the week."

Results

MTB

Elite men
 
1 Adam Craig (USA)                 2.05.21
2 Rubens Valeriano (Bra)              1.47
3 Dario Alejandro Gasco (Arg)         2.16
4 Ignacio Torres (Mex)                3.16
5 Ricardo Pscheidt (Bra)              4.26
6 Mathieu Toulouse (Can)              4.31
7 Javier Puschel (Chi)               10.13
8 Franklin Lugo (Ven)                10.57
9 Paolo Montoya (CRi)                11.18
10 Luciano Ariel Caraccioli (Arg)    13.54
11 Cristobal Silva (Chi)             19.08
12 Mario Alberto Rojas (Col)         20.11
Four laps down
13 Yamil Montano (Bol)
14 Gustavo Mino (Par)
15 Guillermo Miranda (Pan)
Five laps down
16 Ignacio Morales (Uru)
17 Heiko Grobenstieg (Par)
18 Alberto Maizares (Bol)
DNF John Jairo Botero Salazar (Col)
DNF Deiber Esquivel (CRi)
DNF Ricky Federau (Can)
DNF Carlos Manuel Hernandez (Mex)
 
Elite women
 
1 Catharine Pendrel (Can)          1.46.06
2 Mary Mcconneloug (USA)              1.38
3 Laura Morfin Macouzet (Mex)         5.09
4 Jaqueline Mourao (Bra)              7.40
5 Francisca Campos (Chi)              7.55
6 Viviana Maya Tabares (Col)         16.35
7 Liliana Uzcategui (Ven)            20.19
8 Noelia Rodriguez (Arg)             23.41
9 Alexandra Serrano (Ecu)            28.44
DNF Rebeca Hidalgo (CRi)

BMX

Men

1 Jason Richardson (USA)
2 Jonathan Suarez (Ven)
3 Jose Primera (Ven)
4 Herrera A Castro (Col)
5 Caicedo A Jimenez (Col)
6 Mauro Aquino (Bra)
7 Cristian Becerine (Arg)
DNF Ramiro Marino (Arg)

Women

1 Gabriela Diaz (Arg)
2 Ana Flavia (Bra)
3 Kimmy Diquez (Ven)
4 Krystal Hime (USA)
5 Luciana Hirama (Bra)
6 Maria Belen Dutto (Arg)
7 Rachel Smith (USA)