May 6, 2011 (Medellin, Colombia) – Canada’s Clara Hughes of Glen Sutton, Quebec won the gold medal in the time trial road race at the 2011 UCI Pan-American Championships in Medellin, Colombia, on Friday. Hughes, fresh off a General Classification win at the 2011 Tour of the Gila stage race, completed the 24.2-kilometer course in 25:59, showing a 28-seconds lead over her closest competitor, Evelyn Stevens of the United States.

“I’m really happy with today’s result after beginning to focus on the time trial just five weeks ago after the 2010 UCI Track World Championships. I am grateful the National Team believed in me enough to give me a spot on the team here, and I wanted to give Canada a good result here,” said Clara Hughes, bronze medallist in the Time Trial and Road races at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. “National Team Head Coach Vincent Jourdain and the support staff did everything possible to give us the setting to have our best races and it paid off today.”

“I was up against two of the best racers in the world (the Americans) and to come out on top is extremely satisfying and a good indication of my potential in the time trial. Now I have time to train for the event and I can’t wait to put in the work to get stronger. The bonus is that I qualified a spot for 2011 UCI Road World Championships with this victory. Everything I do in the coming months will be to bring my best to the start line in Denmark and see how I fare against the best racers in the world,” added Hughes.

Vincent Jourdain, Head coach of the Canadian Road Cycling Team, is thrilled by Hughes’ race and return to competitive cycling. “It’s a step in which Clara succeeded brilliantly for her return to competitive road cycling. She had a flawless race, and the fact that she beat the Americans Nuben and Stevens is a good indication of where she currently sits. Working with an athlete like Clara, as talented, determined and professional, is truly a privilege,” said Jourdain from Colombia.

Denise Ramsden of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories finished her time trial race in fifth place with a time of 27m50s.

In the men’s racing, Rob Britton of Victoria, British Columbia claimed the fifth place with a time of 49m58s, while Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Quebec, posted the 22nd fastest time at 53m14s.

The road race will be held on Sunday, May 8.

Official Results – Women’s Time Trial – 20km

1. Clara Hughes (Canada) 25:59.203
2. Evelyn Stevens (United States) 26:27.019
3. Amber Neben (United States) 26:42.956
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5. Denise Ramsden (Canada) 27:50.497

Full women’s results here.

Official Results – Men’s Time Trial – 40km

1. Leandro Messineo (Argentina) 48:51
2. Ivan Mauricio Casas (Colombia) 48:54
3. Tomas Gil (Venezuela) 49:50
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5. Rob Britton (Canada) 49:58
22. Hugo Houle (Canada) 53:14

Full men’s results here.