The heat is on in the chase for the XTERRA Pan America Pro Series crowns as the Tour heads to Tapalpa, Mexico for a showdown Saturday featuring the regions’ fastest off-roaders.
XTERRA Mexico, to be held in the mountains of Jalisco (Tequila country) is the eighth of 10 stops on the tour and one of four Gold races offering more points and prize money for elites. The following weekend, on August 13, is XTERRA Dominican Republic.
For reigning Pan Am Tour Champ Josiah Middaugh, currently ranked third in the standings behind Jean-Philippe Thibodeau and Branden Rakita, this trip is all about redemption.
“Last year I had a flat tire late in the race in DR, taking me out of contention, and then quickly fell ill with a case of appendicitis in Mexico missing that race for an emergency surgery in Guadalajara,” he explained. “Luckily, I was in great hands and experienced great care during my surgery in Guadalajara. Despite my misfortune I am excited to return to these races to challenge myself once again. I will have my work cut out for me at each race with the likes of Francisco Serrano in Mexico and Leonardo Chacon in DR. Nothing worth doing is easy.”
Serrano has won XTERRA Mexico twice, is a former Olympian and one of XTERRA’s long-time favorites. He was in hot pursuit of Rom Akerson for the lead last year on the run before literally losing his shoe in the mud on the second lap, at which point Kieran McPherson jolted past him to finish in the runner-up spot. McPherson is also back for another crack, alongside Julien Buffe from France, Cedric Wane from Tahiti, the resurging Brian Smith from Colorado, and Tour leader Branden Rakita.
“I am coming into both Mexico and DR on a good note,” said Rakita. “Things have been going well and I am looking forward to putting it all out there. Mexico will be a tough race, there is a lot of strong competition. Josiah, Paco, Kieran, and Brian are all solid racers and Cedric Wane has been getting better and better throughout the season, and those are the guys that I know are racing. I am sure there will be a couple more of Paco’s country men that will put up a good race as well. My primary goal is to protect my lead in the Pan Am Series and go into the Championship race in Utah with as large a lead as possible. I have a lot to fight for and am not going to give up, but Josiah is a beast so I have a lot of work cut out for me to try to hold him off.”
SNYDER FAVORITE IN WOMEN’S RACE
Reigning women’s Pan Am Tour Champ Suzie Snyder heads into XTERRA Mexico looking to extend her lead in the Pan Am Pro Series and have some fun while she’s at.
“I think the best part of going to Mexico is the post-race festivities in town,” said Snyder. “The restaurants have great food, there are some cute shops to get souvenirs for the kids/family and the fireworks show is spectacular! Of course, the race is cool too. I like how it is situated at the lake so there are competitors and spectators all the way around the lake all day. The toughest part of the bike course is the rough terrain as it winds through a lot of farmland. The two climbs are enough to challenge you and put some fatigue in the legs but nothing like the big mountain courses! The run course is deceptively tough as it has some good false flat sections and rough footing that can also be quite wet in places and requires a fair bit of foot speed and agility which is tough when you’re fatigued.”
Snyder held of Myriam Guillot-Boisset by one-second last year, and will have another fast French woman chasing her again this year by the name of Morgane Riou, who sits third in the Pan Am Pro Series.
The elite women’s field is deep, with Kara LaPoint, ranked 2nd in the Tour, Laura Mira Dias from Brazil (5th), Annie Bergen from Canada (7th), Caroline Colonna (11th), Jessie Koltz (14th), and local hero/former Olympian Fabiola Corona.
“My goals for Mexico are two-fold,” said Snyder. “I want to win and secure another 100 points for the Tour, and get a good week of training in since ITU Cross Tri Worlds is coming up so soon. That means I won’t be tapering too much going into race day on Saturday which may hinder my speed but it’ll be worth it to peak at Worlds! And, of course, I want to stay upright and accident free!”
ELITE WOMEN
1 – Suzie Snyder, USA
2 – Kara LaPoint, USA
3 – Morgane Riou, FRA
5 – Laura Mira Dias, BRA
7 – Annie Bergen, CAN
11 – Caroline Colonna, USA
14 – Jessie Koltz, USA
NR – Fabiola Corona, MEX
ELITE MEN
1 – Branden Rakita, USA
3 – Josiah Middaugh, USA
4 – Kieran McPherson, NZL
6 – Cedric Wane, TAH
7 – Brian Smith, USA
18 – Julien Buffe, FRA
19 – Francisco Serrano, MEX