Discreet start for Cuba in the Pan American Road Cycling Championship

Havana, May 13 (ACN) - Cuban Marlies Mejías, Pan American champion in the time trial race, could not impose her condition of favorite on Thursday at the start of the Pan American Road Cycling Championships in San Juan, Argentina, where some 200 cyclists from 23 countries are competing.

The Venezuelan Lilibeth Chacon won the first title for her country in the history of the Pan American road time trial, winning the time trial, in a race that salutes the centenary of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI), highlights the official website of this organization.

"Despite having a good pace until halfway, the defending champion, the Cuban Marlies Mejías, could not get past 12th place, in a competition where 18 riders from 13 nations finally took the start," said the COPACI.

Lilibeth Chacón covered the 18.8-kilometer stretch in 27:28.42 minutes and left Colombian Lina Marcela Hernández (27:59.35) and Argentine Antonella Leornardi (28:14.76) for second place.

"Many of these women will face next Sunday the Pan American route, in which the Cuban Arlenis Sierra, who rides for Movistar and has just won the Vuelta a Andalucía, is the favorite," the statement said.

Cuban José Manuel Peláez, president of COPACI, and Frenchman David Lappartient, president of the International Cycling Union, will be present at the championship.