third, only 60 points behind Phillips and 30 behind Willoughby and is aiming for a podium spot even if it has to come from lane 8. The Dutchman has shown he can win from the outside at the UCI BMX SX World Cup #2 in Papendal where he collected double prize money in the EliteTrax Lane 8 feature. So far this season he has been the only rider to pull this off. With the absence of Sam Willoughby and Joris Daudet (FRA) due to a conflicting BMX schedule, chances are the top three will look a lot different after the race.
If current Olympic Gold medalist Mariana Pajon cannot take over the lead in the women category, there are three more ladies who have a shot at it before the World Cup comes to an end at the final round in Rock Hill, USA on 25-26 September. Felicia Stancil (USA), currently sitting in third, is waiting for that UCI SX World Cup breakthrough. She needs a win in Santiago Del Estero to gain the confidence she can win the 2015 World Cup. Stefany Hernandez (VEN) is chasing Felicia in the standings. The two are only five points apart. The 2015 UCI Elite Women World Champion is motivated to do well at the race which is closest to home. Never count out Caroline Buchanan (AUS) though as last year's UCI BMX SX World Cup champion has the experience and knows what it takes to come out on top.
One thing is for sure. The fans are ready to welcome the athletes. The race in Santiago has the most enthusiastic crowd and the weather forecast for once is in our favour. The track is smooth and brought into great shape for the riders to bring their best racing. Argentina had their national championships recently with Gonzalo Molina and Maria Gabriela Diaz being crowned the new champs. Next to these fast Elite racers, Argentina has more favourites coming into this race with the experienced Mariana Diaz and local Federico Villegas lining up on the P
ro-Gate this weekend as well. Not to forget the 2015 UCI BMX Junior World Champion by the name of Exequiel Torres (ARG) who is bringing a lot of fans to the track. Home advantage is always a good thing and the help from the loud crowd will help them move forward. Exequiel's sprint to the finish in Zolder got him the Junior World Title and the national hero from La Rioja is ready to mix it up with the big boys this weekend.
Qualification rounds and the Time Trials Superfinals will take place on Saturday 5 September. UCI World Cup SX racing will happen on Sunday 6 September at the BMX SX track in Santiago Del Estero.
2015 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup
Men's Standings 2015
1 PHILLIPS Liam (GBR) 505 pts
2 WILLOUGHBY Sam (AUS) 475 pts
3 KIMMANN Niek (NED) 445 pts
4 MIR Amidou (FRA) 395 pts
5 OQUENDO ZABALA C.M. (COL) 380 pts
6 van GORKOM Jelle (NED) 345 pts
7 TREIMANIS Edzus (LAT) 335 pts
8 DAUDET Joris (FRA) 325 pts
9 TURNER Bodi (AUS) 310 pts
10 FIELDS Connor (USA) 310 pts
Women's Standings 2015
1 POST Alise (USA) 545 pts
2 PAJON Mariana (COL) 515 pts
3 STANCIL Felicia (USA) 490 pts
4 HERNANDEZ Stefany (VEN) 485 pts
5 BUCHANAN Caroline (AUS) 470 pts
6 REYNOLDS Lauren (AUS) 405 pts
7 GEORGE Danielle (USA) 370 pts
8 van BENTHEM Merle (NED) 345 pts
9 SUVOROVA Natalia (RUS) 295 pts
10 CHRISTENSEN Simone (DEN) 295 pts
By BdJ