In an emotional evening held on the banks of the Sinú River, Montería, the capital of Cordoba, officially kicked off the Montería 2026 Pan American Road Championship.

The launch event took place at the Teatrino de la Ronda Centro, marking the formal start of the countdown for one of the most important continental cycling events to return to Colombia after 15 years.

Between March 15 and 22, 2026, Montería will become the epicenter of the passion for cycling, bringing together the elite of the youth, Under-23 and Elite categories, both men and women, in the Road and Time Trial events.

The momentous ceremony was attended by key sports figures at the continental and national level.

The presence of José Manuel Peláez, president of the Pan American Cycling Confederation (COPACI), Ciro Solano Hurtado, president of the Colombian Olympic Committee (COC), and Rubén Darío Galeano Berdugo, president of the Colombian Cycling Federation, stood out.

Together with them, local authorities, such as the mayor of Montería, Hugo Kerguelén, and the governor in charge of Córdoba, Catalina Mariño, reaffirmed the region’s commitment to organizing an event of international stature.

Montería, ready for the 2026 Pan American Route: An appointment with the history of cycling

The Pan American Championship is expected to mobilize nearly 800 visitors including delegations, technical teams and competition officials, in addition to thousands of fans who will arrive in the city to vibrate with the emotions of cycling.

The representatives of the different entities agreed that this event transcends sports, as it will be a significant driver of development for Montería and Córdoba.

The arrival of delegations from all over the continent projects a positive and direct impact on tourism, the local economy and the international positioning of the city.

One of the highlights of the night was the emotional presentation of the video about the history of the Cordoban cyclist Álvaro Hodeg, current Pan-American road champion, whose message of motivation and sporting rebirth resonated among the new generations.

The president of the Colombian Cycling Federation, Rubén Darío Galeano, summarized the general feeling by stating that “The Pan American will be a historic opportunity for Montería, for Córdoba and for Colombia.”

This launch marks the roadmap to receive the best riders on the continent.

In the coming weeks, the organization will reveal crucial logistical details, including the official competition routes and the previous activities that will warm up the atmosphere for this great cycling festival.

More sports news