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Tory Nyhaug wins gold in Pan Am BMX

Photo: Ruby Photo Studio
Photo: Ruby Photo Studio

Canadian BMX racer Tory Nyhaug won the first gold medal in a cycling event at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games with a flawless performance from his first heat to the final round of competition. Nyhaug returned to racing just six weeks ago after having surgery on a foot injury that kept him off his bike until April.

“This is unbelievable,” said Nyhaug after receiving his gold medal. “It’s as perfect a day as you can have in a BMX race. This is the highlight of my career. To win a race like this in front of a home crowd is an experience I’ll never forget.”

Nyhaug won all three runs during quarter finals, easily beating the other riders in his heat. He benefitted from an inside line on the start of his first run, and then showed even from an outside starting gate, he could still be fastest to the first corner. Powering through the corners and catapulting over jumps, the Canadian advanced through the quarterfinals sharing the best ranking with friend, training partner, and rival, American Connor Fields.

Photo: Ruby Photo Studio
Photo: Ruby Photo Studio

Much as they had through their quarter final heats, Nyhaug and Fields won their respective semifinals, advancing to the final. Nyhaug was seen pedalling around behind the start ramp in preparation for the finals, concentration and focus apparent.

“There’s so much work to get into a final at one of these events, but once you’re there, you can breathe a sigh of relief. I knew Fields was going to be tough, and Campo and Long too,” said Nyhaug.

In the finals, Nyhaug again found himself with the lead coming out of the first corner. Flying over the gap jumps of the second straight, Nyhaug extended his lead, and Canadian fans reacted, cheering louder with each jump and corner.

“I just stayed relaxed and knew I had an advantage starting in lane one and being on the inside line for the first corner,” said Nyhaug. “As soon as I got through that corner I just relaxed and rode a clean lap to the finish.”

In defending his line, Nyhaug boxed out Fields who ended up scoring a DNF. Second place went to Ecuadorian Alfredo Campo Vintimilla, with American Nicholas Long claiming third place.

Photo: Ruby Photo Studio
Photo: Ruby Photo Studio

“The key was about being aggressive but being smart at the same time,” said Canadian coach Ken Cools. “He has the capability of doing that.

“No body doubts himself less than Tory Nyhaug. When that start gate drops, everything else just fades away.”

Canadian Jim Brown suffered a flat on the first corner during the second run of the quarterfinals. He walked the rest of the course to ensure he scored a result, but could not recover to claim a spot in the semifinals.

The women’s competition was something of an upset, with one of the favoured riders – Mariana Pajon Londono of Colombia – crashing in the first corner. The crash took down Venezuelan Stefany Hernandez Mendoza, and American Alise Post.

American Felicia Stancil worked her way through the carnage to take the lead and victory in the women’s final. The 20-year-old was blown away at having grabbed victory. Ecuador earned a second silver medal with Domenica Azuero Gonzalez taking second place, ahead of Mariana Diaz of Argentina.

“This means a lot,” said Stancil. “A crash can just happen right in front of you when you’re going 30 miles an hour, so you have to think really fast, and be a bit lucky.”

In the women’s semifinal heats, Canadian Amelia Walsh narrowly dodged a crash in her first run, but was relegated out in the second run after veering just outside the lines that bound the course. On her third run, she tried to recover by taking an aggressive line, but the tactic didn’t pan out.

“I tried to swoop down on the inside [of the first corner],” said Walsh, who ultimately crashed. “It’s not a disappointing day though. I’ve come back after a couple of really rough months, so I am super excited about my performance here, even though it didn’t go my way. I had a lot of fun here today.”

Teammate Daina Tuchscherer fell just short of the finals but was happy with her performance in what was her first major games experience.

“It’s always a challenge racing the top athletes, being young and new to the sport,” said Tuchscherer. “When that crowd roars before the start, it’s just wow!”

Fans filled the stands and general admission hillside, the event selling out the full 2000 available tickets. A light breeze swept across the straights from the south, softening the heat of the sun. Emcees worked the crowd, calling on each country’s fans to try to out-cheer the other. Home nation advantage aided Canadians to be among the loudest fans at the event.

“From a performance standpoint, that has been great with Tory,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director for Cycling Canada. “With Tory’s performance here today, I’m sure he’ll inspire new kids to try out the sport and help develop into the next generation of athletes.”

The Toronto 2015 cycling program continues Sunday with the men’s and women’s cross-country mountain bike races.

BMX racers will depart Toronto over the next week to head to Europe for the World Championships in Zolder, Belgium, July 21-25.

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