Venezuela to host Pan-American Road Cycling Championship

The city of San Cristobal, capital of Venezuela's northwestern state of Tachira, will host from Thursday to Sunday the 31 edition of the Pan-American Road Cycling Championship, international media reported.

According to Cuban news agency Prensa Latina, the Pan-American Road Cycling Championship will include men and women elite categories, as well as the U-23 one.

Cyclists from 20 countries and regions will take part in the competition, including Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Peru, Panama, Dominican Republic and Uruguay, besides the host Venezuela.

The Pan-American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) and the Venezuelan Cycling Federation (FVC) officially opened on Wednesday the Pan-American Convention as part of the activities of the cycling championship. Athletes from the region will take part in time trial and road competitions.

The Pan-American Championship is qualifier in both categories for the World Road Cycling Championship to be held in Doha, Qatar. In the women's category, it grants points for Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games.

Venezuela won two tickets in men's category for Rio 2016, which will be defined with the results obtained in the Pan-American Championship.

The road competition will be between San Cristobal and Rubio, in the border with Colombia.

Pan-American Championship will begin with the time trial single competition for women, with a 19-km route. Afterwards, U-23 men's category and elite category, with a 26 and 38-km route respectively, will be held.