Adam Craig is staying on track for the '08 Olympics next summer in Beijing.
Alan L. Davis
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 Saturday, while Mary McConneloug (Chilmark, Mass./Kenda-Seven) earned the silver medal in the women's event.
Craig, who was ranked 18th in the world going into today's contest, 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."
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In the women's event, McConneloug, who was ranked seventh in the world this morning, repeated her second-place performance from four years ago despite suffering two mechanicals. The American managed to overtake eventual winner Catherine Pendrel (CAN) on the final lap, but Pendrel recovered in one of the last curves to finish 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. "
Today's performances will play a significant role in keeping the U.S. near the top of international rankings, a primary factor in determining the number of start positions it receives at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing next summer. Going into today's contests, the U.S. was ranked sixth in the world in men's mountain biking behind France, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and Canada; and first in the world in women's mountain biking.
Elite Men's Cross Country Mountain Bike
1. Adam Craig (USA) 2:05:21
2. Rubens Valeriano (BRA) 2:07:08
3. Dario Alejandro Gasco (ARG) 2:07:37
Elite Women's Cross Country Mountain Bike
1. Catherine Pendrel (CAN) 1:46:06
2. Mary McConneloug (USA) 1:47:44
3. Laura Morfin (MEX) 1:51:15
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