Six different nations claim World titles as road racing begins in Costanera Costanera was chosen as the stage for road racing to bring skating into the heart of the host city.
Set in an urban location directly in front of the Palacio de los López, the venue offered a unique setting to showcase the sport and connect it with the city and its people. The circuit was very technical, allowing the athletes to showcase their skills. Despite the concerns iniraised before the competition, the racing programme was completed, with the exception of the 10,000m event. Thanks to the hard work of the volunteers and everyone involved in preparing the venue, the athletes were able to race on the road circuit at Costanera, set against the iconic and spectacular backdrop of the Palacio de los López.
The first day of road racing featured the One Lap and 15,000m Elimination events, bringing a new dimension to the World Championships after the intense battles on the track.
JUNIOR WOMEN
JONE LAP
The Junior Women’s One Lap brought the first World title of the road programme for the USA, with Alicia McBride taking gold. After Gisell Caicedo (Colombia) was disqualified for a dangerous move on the inside of the final corner, McBride secured the victory. Sofia Paola Chiumiento (Italy) took silver, while Manuela Saldarriaga (Colombia) finished third.
- Alicia McBride – USA
- Sofia Paola Chiumiento – Italy
- Manuela Saldarriaga – Colombia
15,000m ELIMINATION
The Junior Women’s 15,000m Elimination saw Carla Plana Olivares (Spain) play an important role in the early stages, while Colombia remained consistently at the front with Mariana Imitola Vasquez and Manuela Rodriguez Torres. The race came down to a tense finale after one of the Colombian skaters crashed. Mariana Imitola Vasquez held on to take the World title, ahead of Charly Alviarez (Venezuela) and Carla Plana Olivares (Spain).
- Mariana Imitola Vasquez – Colombia
- Charly Alviarez – Venezuela
- Carla Plana Olivares – Spain
JUNIOR MEN
ONE LAP
The Junior Men’s One Lap final produced one of the most memorable moments of the day. Anirudhan Vinod and Lohnath Arunprasath of India started at incredible speed, with Tomas Moncada Castro (Colombia) attempting to overtake them before the final corner. At high speed, however, he could not hold the tight line and the two Indian skaters found a way through on the inside. Vinod and Arunprasath crossed the finish line together, looking at each other in surprise and celebration as they secured a spectacular Indian one-two.
- Anirudhan Vinod – India
- Lohnath Arunprasath – India
- Niklas Kubik – Germany
15,000m ELIMINATION
The race opened with Chia-Cheng Tseng (Chinese Taipei) setting the pace, before an Ecuadorian duo, Joaquin Loyola Cavalieri and Adrian Tuqueres, moved to the front with eight laps remaining. After a Colombian skater was disqualified, the race entered its decisive stages. Cavalieri remained in contention with three laps to go, before the Colombian attack came in the closing stages. The podium went entirely to South America, with Juan Manuel Chaux Valencia (Colombia) taking gold, followed by Joaquin Loyola Cavalieri (Ecuador) and Lucas Beroiza Peña (Chile).
- Juan Manuel Chaux Valencia – Colombia
- Joaquin Loyola Cavalieri – Ecuador
- Lucas Beroiza Peña – Chile
SENIOR WOMEN
ONE LAP
Ivonne Nochez Gallardo (El Salvador) took control from the start and managed the race perfectly before winning the final sprint. Kollin Castro (Colombia) finished second, while Asia Negri (Italy) delivered a strong performance to take bronze and complete the podium.
- Ivonne Nochez Gallardo – El Salvador
- Kollin Castro – Colombia
- Asia Negri – Italy
15,000m ELIMINATION
The Senior Women’s 15,000m Elimination quickly became a battle between several strong contenders. Valeria Bustamante (Venezuela) took the early lead, but Colombia soon responded and moved to the front with Gabriela Rueda and Yicel Camila Giraldo Vasquez playing a key role as the race entered its final stages. Gabriela Vargas, Ecuador, also stayed smart throughout the race, always keeping herself in the front group. With four laps remaining, Colombia was still in control. Giraldo Vasquez entered the final corner in front, but Gabriela Vargas made a powerful move on the exit and launched the final sprint. Giraldo Vasquez was later disqualified following contact during the sprint, handing the World title to Gabriela Vargas Sarmiento. Gabriela Rueda took silver, while Pei-Yu Shih (Chinese Taipei) added another medal for her nation.
- Gabriela Vargas Sarmiento – Ecuador
- Gabriela Rueda – Colombia
- Pei-Yu Shih – Chinese Taipei
SENIOR MEN
ONE LAP
The Senior Men’s One Lap came down to a spectacular final straight. Jhoan Guzman (Colombia) took the lead from the start and held on all the way to the finish. Jacob Melton (USA) followed in second, while Vincenzo Maiorca (Italy) produced a powerful final straight to take bronze.
- Jhoan Guzman – Colombia
- Jacob Melton – USA
- Vincenzo Maiorca – Italy
15,000m ELIMINATION
The Senior Men’s 15,000m Elimination began with several laps of tactical positioning before Colombia moved to the front. With 24 laps remaining, the eliminations began and Julio Mirena (Paraguay) joined Kevin Lenis and Juan Mantilla (Colombia) in setting the pace.
The Colombian duo remained in control through the final stages. With the race entering its decisive laps, Kevin Lenis and Juan Mantilla proved too strong for the field, with Julio Mirena completing the podium for the host nation.
- Kevin Lenis – Colombia
- Juan Mantilla – Colombia
- Julio Mirena Ortiz – Paraguay
The road programme continues with the spectacular 100m events, bringing another day of explosive racing to Costanera.