With a dominant performance, Colombian mountain biker Daniela Gaviria Ramírez was crowned Pan American Champion in Olympic Cross Country (XCO) in the junior women’s category, at the 2026 Pan American Mountain Bike Championships, held on the demanding Aguavista circuit in Itapúa, Paraguay.
The competition, held this Saturday, brought together the best representatives of the continent in the premier discipline of mountain biking, demanding both endurance and technique on a course that combined steep climbs, technical descents, and fast, rocky sections.
Gaviria dominated the race from the first laps, setting a solid pace and maintaining a steady lead over her rivals until crossing the finish line in first place, securing the Pan American gold medal in the category. Her victory represents a significant milestone, confirming her competitive growth and positioning her as one of the leading figures in youth mountain biking in the Americas.
The Colombian, a member of the Colombian National MTB Team, had been building a strong competitive record throughout the season and carried that level over to the Pan American Games, triumphing on a demanding course with high-level international conditions on a technical mountain circuit designed to test both physical endurance and race strategy.
Gaviria’s victory not only adds another gold medal to Colombia’s tally, but also confirms the depth of talent and the potential of the new generation in national MTB, highlighting the importance of training programs and investment in youth development within the Colombian Cycling Federation.
On the fourth day of the 2026 Pan American MTB Championships, with Olympic Cross Country (XCO) taking center stage, the junior men’s event was won by Brazilian Leonardo Castro, who finished more than a minute ahead of Colombian Santiago Quintero Arango. The bronze medal went to another Brazilian, Miguel Elias Urreia.
The competition concludes this Sunday at the Aguavista circuit in Itapúa, Paraguay, where more than 300 cyclists from some 20 countries have gathered.
