Arlenis Sierra for her third Pan American gold in the Time Trial

Cuban cycling star Arlenis Sierra will seek this Sunday the title in the time trial at the Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile, an event in which she could not climb the podium four years ago in Lima because of a breakage in her bike.

Although the Spanish Movistar club rider does not reach the world level in the time trial that she exhibits on the road, she is also a quality cyclist.

Several top cyclists will be competing in the time trial, which will be contested over 21 km in the Plaza de Armas on the island of Maipú.

"It will be the second time I will compete in a Pan American in the time trial. In Lima-2019 it did not go well because I had difficulties with my bicycle, but this time I hope to have a good result if God allows it," said the 30-year-old router in statements to Radio Habana Cuba.

She considered that perhaps the preparation was not ideal because she took a week's vacation before the games. "I needed it (the vacation), as I was a little tired after a long season," she said, but she made it clear that she always goes out to give her best in every outing.

According to the preliminary list, some of the best known rivals that Arlenis should have on Sunday are the Venezuelan Lilibeth Chacón, winner of the Vuelta a Colombia in 2021, Teniel Campbell, from Trinidad and Tobago, Ruby West (Canada), Lauren Stephens (United States) and Diana Peñuela (Colombia), the latter her escort in the Central Caribbean in July in San Salvador.

This year she won in the Centrocaribes and in the Cuban national championship in both modalities, road and time trial, and with Movistar she reached several privileged positions (top 10) in races in Italy, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland.

He also renewed his contract until 2026.

In the Salvadoran capital, she took more than a minute advantage in the time trial over the Colombian Peñuela, one of her rivals here in Santiago.

Arlenis Sierra holds the road crowns of Guadalajara 2011 and Lima 2019, but has never been able to win in the time trial.