The Colombian BMX team confirmed its absolute dominance on the continent by winning all six titles at the 2026 Pan American Championships. The Carlos Ramirez track, in Bogota’s El Salitre Recreational Sports Park, hosted the event from April 30 to May 2.
This sports complex is endorsed by the International Cycling Union (Union Cycliste Internationale UCI) and stands out for its state-of-the-art infrastructure. It features a 450-meter-long (492.12-yard) competition track. There are two parallel circuits with two metal-frame starting gates 8 and 5 meters (26 and 16 feet) high: one for Supercross and the other for Challenger. Each track has eight lanes.
More than 1,600 riders from 16 countries competed across the Challenge (youth/amateur), Championship (Elite, U23, and Junior), and walkbike categories. Weather conditions added difficulty; constant rain made the track more demanding and technical.
Despite these challenges and the presence of international stars like Argentinians Gonzalo Nahuel Molina and Exequiel Torres, the local delegation dominated the main categories from start to finish.
Arboleda and Muñoz lead the Elite category
In the men’s branch, Diego Arboleda revalidated his title by obtaining his fifth Pan American championship. The rider from Antioquia prevailed in an exciting final against his national teammates, Carlos Ramirez and Mateo Carmona, who completed the podium. For Arboleda, this triumph marks a milestone toward the Los Angeles Olympic Games, especially after overcoming a complex hip and femur surgery in 2018. “It is clear that we Colombians are doing the job well,” the champion stated at the end of the race.
Valentina Muñoz claimed her first elite Pan American title with a dominant performance, leading a Colombian podium sweep alongside silver medalist Gabriela Bolle and bronze medalist Sharid Fayad. Muñoz, who is aiming for Los Angeles 2028, led an entirely Colombian podium that confirmed the country’s generational transition.
Results in U-23, Junior, and regional dominance
The national dominance extended to the developmental categories. In the women’s U23 division, Nicole Foronda took the gold, followed by her compatriots Mariana Agudelo and Natalia Mendieta. In the men’s division, Juan Jose Velasquez led the podium, escorted by fellow Colombians Santiago Santa and Andres Ariza. Valentina Jimenez and Sergio Garzon claimed the junior titles, securing a dominant performance for the Antioquia delegation, which captured five of the six available gold medals.
The national coach, Fabian Hernandez, highlighted that the success is the result of a collective effort: “Team synergy helps us become stronger every day.”
Organization, investment, and closing with the Latin American Cup
The Ministry of Sports, the Colombian Cycling Federation, the Bogota Institute of Recreation and Sports (IDRD), and the Bogota Cycling League supported the championship. Bogota reaffirmed its role as a premier BMX hub, further bolstering a resume that already boasts World Championships and multiple UCI World Cup events.
After the Pan American closing, the activity continued on Sunday, May 3, with the fourth round of the Latin American BMX Cup. On this day, Colombia repeated the feat by winning six gold medals in the Championship categories again, highlighting the performances of Carlos Ramirez, Juan Jose Velasquez, and Sergio Garzon, members of the Bogota Team.
The national team now focuses on its European tour. In June, the Colombians will compete in the UCI World Cup stops in France and the Netherlands, crucial dates to score points before the Olympic qualification period officially begins.