The American cyclist Lauren Stephens set a time of 2:51:05 hours and took the gold in road cycling for women, a competition for which 37 cyclists took the start and had to enter the heights of the San Cristóbal hill, which has 758 meters. above sea level.
Stephens took the gold from the Cuban favorite Arlenis Sierra, Pan American champion of Lima 2019 and Guadalajara 2011, who finished fifth after failing to catch up with the three runners who escaped from the fourth lap of the 17.5 kilometer circuit, which had to be given six turns.
In second place came the Ecuadorian Ecuador Myriam Núñez, who competed in the women’s time trial on Isla de Maipo (16th place), while the bronze (with equal differences compared to the new monarch 1:24) was achieved by the Paraguayan Agua Marina Espinola, the first Paraguayan road cyclist to compete in an Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020).
With a great level of difficulty, the 37 cyclists had to deliver the best in physical, psychological and even climatic resistance, since this morning the streets of Santiago were shining with a cloudy day and morning rain, which added a season of risk. on a route of 105 kilometers (6 laps) in the middle of the San Cristóbal hill.
In the middle of a long route and complex altimetry of between 616 to 758 meters, the peloton had mishaps separating, but after a couple of laps, while the Cuban attacked, Stephens managed to climb well and finish the race properly.
“I’ve been riding for 15 years and I’m near the end of my career and I’m still running, probably for one more year to try to make the Olympics and show the United States that I’m capable of winning this race. I know that today shows me that I am making the right decision to stay for one more year,” said Lauren with her sights set on Paris 2024.
While Sierra, the two-time Pan American road champion, explained why she came in fifth place. “I arrived, but it’s impossible, I was alone. The Americans attacked me. It was a pretty decisive circuit. It was not as I expected,” clarified the member of the Movistar Team in Spain.
On the other hand, Ecuadorian cyclist Myriam Núñez said: “I am super happy, I know that my little angel from heaven is with me today. I want to dedicate this to my family who are going through difficult times today. I hope this warms your heart a little like it does me,” explained the Vuelta España runner (13th place), who said goodbye to her grandfather five days before starting her first date in the Santiago 2020 women’s time trial.
At the same time as the Ecuadorian cyclist, the Paraguayan Agua Marina Espinola was just a wheel inch behind the finish line, which did not stop her from getting her first Pan American medal.
“I really liked the circuit, it was very challenging. Obviously he wanted the gold. I had high hopes of seeking another medal here and giving another satisfaction to my country, so I think I will continue searching,” said the gold winner at the 2022 South American Games that took place in Asunción.
Source: Panan Sports