Colombian cyclist Mariana Pajon, 19, won the BMX womens’ gold medal on Friday at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Pajon, winner of Colombia’s Sportswoman of the Year award for the second year in a row, was the favorite at the start of the finals and once she had taken the lead, she never gave it up.
The Colombian cyclist recorded the three best times at 42.321, 42.909, and 43.018 beating out Maria Diaz of Argentina, Amanda Caar of the U.S., and Dominique Daniels and Belen Tapia of Chile.
With Pajon’s victory, Colombia earned its eighth gold medal in the games. The cyclist now has her sights firmly set on the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
