Sunday, october 22nd, 2023.- Colombian Walter Vargas earned the first gold medal for his country at the Pan American Games Santiago 2023, finishing in first place in the road cycling time trial event held in Isla de Maipo.

The native of the Colombian town of El Carmen de Viboral surprised Olympic road champion Richard Carapaz, who came in second and took the silver.

Vargas finished with a lead of 33 seconds over his closest competitor, who tried a final sprint that didn't materialize, except to secure at least the silver medal against the powerful Colombian.

In third place was the Bermudian rider Conor White, who crossed the finish line one minute and 11 seconds behind the race winner.

"I am happy to win the Pan American Games, which was my main goal for the year. It's a lot of effort and sacrifice, but I have achieved the medal, the reward. I dedicate it to my family and my girlfriend, with whom I will soon be getting married," said Walter Vargas after crossing the finish line.

Olympic champion Richard Carapaz clearly expressed his dissatisfaction after the race. "We knew time trials weren't our strenght, but there's always hope for a win. We couldn't get the gold, but we're taking the silver. It has been a tough year for me, and ending it with a medal makes me believe in myself again," he explained, disappointed.

Written by Christian Salgado; translated by Andrés Castro / Photosport
Photo by Dragomir Yankovic / Photosport