The start of the last World Cup of the 2019 season here in Colombia, brought no surprises. There were 11 rounds of practice for Day 1 at La Leonera World Cup. Practice was a good way to gauge who was fast but tomorrow's qualifying really will seed them for the race come Sunday.
Last year's track record holder is Harry Clarke (AU) is present and waiting to defend and be counted. La Leonera track record (02:14:49)
Esneider Osorno (CO)
Colombian local and current South American Continental Championship points leader Esneider "Disyembre" Osorno is looking like the fastest South American.
Chase Hiller packed no surprises as he flew in to Colombia on practice day and made it in time to do a few runs and beat last year's track record.
Daina Banks who also is in the hunt, usually holds back during practice and qualifying but always takes part when the brackets are ready for racing.
In the Women's category Sabrina Ambrosi looks to continue her South American dominance but local Colombian Woman riders are looking to defend home turf. Both champions of last week's La Virgen race are on the riders list and they are favourites for the Masters (Carlos Arias - CO) and Juniors (Anderson Maldonado - CO) category. The luge battle is looking tight between defending champion Roberto Leiva (PE) and Jennifer Butler (US) both of them had a handful of runs together during practice.
Oh yeah there was a surprise, 2018 La Leonera champion: Daniel Engel (US) did not fly to Colombia. We will have a new champion come Sunday but first qualifying for the last World Cup of the 2019 season.
Photo: Camilo Vargas
