Friday, October 27, 2023.- One of the standout stars at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games is Colombian cyclist Kevin Quintero, who lived up to his status as the favorite in the continental event.

Hailing from Palmira, he arrived at the Velódromo de Peñalolén as the world champion in the Keirin discipline, an achievement he secured in August in Glasgow, Scotland. And he didn't disappoint. Just as predicted, he clinched the gold medal, repeating his victory from Lima 2019.

Furthermore, he reaffirmed his country's dominance in this discipline, as Colombia has won the title in the last five editions of the Games, previously with Leonardo Narváez (Rio de Janeiro 2007) and Fabián Puerta (Guadalajara 2011 and Toronto 2015).

Keirin is one of the most captivating competitions in track cycling, where cyclists initially follow a motorcyclist who sets the pace until exiting the track in the final three laps, at which point the strategy for the final sprint begins.

In Santiago 2023, the traditional motorbike is electric, in line with the sustainable approach of these Pan American Games.

During the race, Quintero devised the best plan to secure the penultimate event in the track cycling program, finishing in second place behind Trinidad and Tobago's Nicholas Paul (who won in male sprint) and third place going to Mexico's Juan Carlos Ruiz.

With the Madison race still to come, Colombia leads the medal tally in this sport with nine medals, distributed among four gold, three silver, and two bronze

Written by Carlos Silva Rojas-Manfred Schwager; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 via Photosport
Photo by Javier Salvo / Santiago 2023 via Photosport