Cuban cyclist Marlies Mejías won the gold medal in the women's road cycling race at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo on Saturday. The 32-year-old rider completed the 123.8-kilometer course in 3:10:32, finishing at the front of an 18-cyclist peloton along the Centro de los Héroes and the Malecón.
Teniel Campbell of Trinidad and Tobago earned the silver medal, while Yaneli Acevedo of Mexico claimed bronze. Lillibeth Chacón of Venezuela finished fourth, followed by Diana Peñuela of Colombia in fifth and Yendry Quezada of Costa Rica in sixth place.
Race breakdown and champion reaction
Mejías said winning the gold medal again in the Dominican Republic was a great honor. She described the race as very demanding, noted the high quality of the competing cyclists, and said she had to give her maximum effort. She expressed her feelings while exhausted, surrounded by euphoria, hugs, and congratulations.
The victory marked the second gold medal for Mejías at the Central American and Caribbean Games. She previously won gold on Saturday, July 24, in the women's individual time trial held at Mirador Sur Park. During Saturday's road race, Mejías joined the main 18-rider pack on the third of eight laps after they caught Dominican cyclist María Mirabal, who had broken away solo during the first two laps.
Dominican results and men's competition
Four Dominican cyclists competed in the event. Mirabal maintained a good pace, stayed with the primary group, and finished in 17th place. Fellow Dominican riders Raquel Restituyo, Malsey Pérez, and Flor Espiritusanto finished in 25th, 29th, and 36th place, respectively.
The men's road race is scheduled for Sunday at 9:00 a.m., starting from Centro de los Héroes. Riders will cover 169.5 kilometers over 11 laps along George Washington Avenue to Club Casa de España.
