As the sole woman selected to the U.S. team, Kenda-Seven’s Mary McConneloug joined Todd Wells and Adam Craig to represent the United States at the 15th edition of the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 14, 2007.

McConneloug repeated her silver medal performance from four years ago despite suffering two mechanicals. Mary had a great duel with eventual winner, Catherine Pendrel of Canada. On the final lap both riders came together, but it was Pendrel who managed to break away, finishing just over a minute ahead of McConneloug. Mexico’s Laura Morfin rode in about three minutes later for the final spot on the podium.

“I did not have a perfect race due to several mechanical problems, but my body felt great and my head was into it,” McConneloug remarked later. “I am happy to have taken home the silver, but it makes me hungry for more. I had great support here and it is an honor to line up against all of these top women.”

McConneloug’s silver medal along with Adam Craig’s gold medal performance will play a significant role in keeping the U.S. near the top of international rankings, a primary factor in determining the number of start positions it receives at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing next summer. Going into today’s contests, the U.S. was ranked sixth in the world in men’s mountain biking behind France, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and Canada; and first in the world in women’s mountain biking.