Canadians pull in medals at Pan Am championships

Dean Campbell March 30, 2014

Four Canadians won medals in the mountain bike XCO races at the Pan American championships in Barbacena, Brazil.

Mikaela Kofman was the best of the Canadians, earning the silver medal in the women’s elite race.

Mikeala in interviews pic.twitter.com/kOOhpls64y

— Cycling Canada MTB (@CanMTBcycling) March 30, 2014

Raphael Gagne finished third in the men’s race, to claim the bronze medal, despite rain that made for challenging conditions.

Elite men’s pan am champs podium in Barbacena BRA! pic.twitter.com/Zwdt2Epdnm

— Cycling Canada MTB (@CanMTBcycling) March 30, 2014

Kofman’s Scott-3Rox teammate and 2013 Canadian mountain bike champion Derek Zandstra finished fourth, having fought back after a crash earlier in the race.

Canadians earned two more bronze medals in the U23 men’s and women’s races.

Frédérique Trudel dropped from second to third on the final lap of the women’s U23 race, while fellow Canadian Laura Bietola finished just off the podium in fourth place.

Antoine Caron nabbed bronze in the men’s U23 race. Caron moved into 3rd position partway through the race and was able to hold the position all the way to the finish.

Happy to capture the bronze medal at @PanMTB2014 for @CanMTBcycling and for my sponsor @rockymountain as well. pic.twitter.com/isCDMrbeyt

— Raphael Gagné (@raphaelgagne) March 31, 2014