Hidalgo Cycling: State MTB Selection for National Olympics Concludes

The Hidalgo state cycling team has completed its qualifying process for the National Olympics (ONC) with the second and final stage of the mountain biking (MTB) qualifier, held in Santiago Tlapacoya. The competition also served as the fourth round of the Hidalgo Cup 2026, solidifying the event calendar within the state.

The team arrived at the venue on Monday with high hopes of replicating their success from the previous edition, where they dominated the national cycling scene. Led once again by Marco Antonio Ríos, president of the Hidalgo Youth Cycling Association, and supported by a technical team, the athletes prepared physically, mentally, and tactically for another strong showing in both the men’s and women’s categories. Riders like Andrea Paredes, Yairi Ramírez, Iván Segura, Said Carmona, Braulio Alvarez, and Felipe Barrera are considered strong contenders to reach the podium at the 2025 National Olympics.

The qualifying race in Tequisquiac, State of Mexico, on Sunday saw the Hidalgo team achieve significant success, securing several first-place finishes across various categories. The competition drew a strong response from cyclists in both Hidalgo and the State of Mexico, resulting in closely contested duels decided at the finish line. The event was organized by the Hidalgo Youth Cycling Association, with support from Escárcega’s Team as hosts.

The juvenile categories were a particular highlight, with Matías Rodríguez, Iker Barrera, Elio Coronilla, Manuel Gutiérrez, Balám Herrera, Fernando Aguilar, and Ángel Vázquez placing among the top finishers in the men’s categories. In the women’s categories, Azul Rosas emerged victorious. Ian Islas won the men’s B category, followed by Edson Coronilla and Zaid Mota, delivering one of the most competitive races in their division. Angel Jacob Zamudio and Andrés Barbosa took first and second place in the youth men’s category, while Renata Granados and Ángela Barbosa did the same in the youth women’s category.

Diego Gayoso secured first place in the general classification, followed by José Luis Velázquez Montaño and Angel Gabriel Perea Montaño. In the amateur category, Aunar Oscar Bravo Perez took first, with Alberto Santos Martínez and Sergio Monterrubio Juárez finishing second and third, respectively.

This strong performance at the state level sets the stage for Hidalgo’s participation in the National Olympics. The Hidalgo Youth Cycling Association will announce the final list of qualified athletes who will represent the state at the national competition in the coming days.

Hidalgo’s recent success in MTB builds on a strong showing at the 2025 National Olympics, where the state “swept the gold medals, obtaining 7 of the 8 titles in both modalities, adding 4 silvers and a bronze.” The State of Mexico finished second with 2 golds, 4 silvers, and 2 bronzes, while Guanajuato took third place with 2 golds, 1 silver, and 4 bronzes.

The upcoming National Olympics will be a key proving ground for young cyclists as they aim for future national and international competitions. The qualification system for the Olympics, as outlined by Panam Sports, emphasizes the importance of proven swim times and team selection according to Olympic standards, though this is specific to swimming and doesn’t directly apply to cycling. However, it underscores the rigorous process involved in selecting athletes for major international events.

The U.S. Cycling team recently announced its roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with Haley Batten, Savilia Blunk, Christopher Blevins, and Keagan Amos representing the United States in the Cross-Country Olympic Mountain Bike event. The U.S. Team secured maximum quota spots at the Olympics – two men and two women – based on their performance in UCI events over the past two years, demonstrating the increasing competitiveness of American mountain biking on the world stage.

As Hidalgo prepares to send its team to the National Olympics, the state’s cycling program continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing young talent and achieving success on the national stage. The dedication of the athletes, coaches, and association leaders positions Hidalgo as a force to be reckoned with in the world of mountain biking.