Colombia's Mariana Pajon and Canada's Tory Nyhaug won the time trials ©Twitter/UCI BMX Supercross

Olympic champion Mariana Pajon began her season in impressive style by winning the time trial at the opening International Cycling Union (UCI) BMX Supercross event in Santiago del Estero.

The Colombian star has triumphed at the Argentine track in the last two seasons and made an ideal start to the two-day competition.

Pajon recorded a time of 34.549sec to top the overall standings at the end of the time trial competition, which will see her begin tomorrow’s supercross at the top seeded rider.

Australia’s Caroline Buchanan finished second behind the reigning World Cup champion after a time of 34.583.

The 25-year-old will be hopeful of overhauling Pajon in the supercross, while the United States’ Alise Post will be another potential contender for victory having clocked 34.637.

Britain’s Liam Phillips, winner of the World Cup title in both 2014 and 2015, opted not to compete in the opening event of the season.

Men's World Cup champion Liam Phillips was absent from the opening event of the season
Men's World Cup champion Liam Phillips was absent from the opening event of the season ©Getty Images

Tory Nyhaug took advantage on the opening day, the Canadian achieving the fastest time by finishing in 31.063.

The reigning world champion Niek Kimmann clocked 31.119 to finish in second place, the Dutchman ending narrowly ahead of the double Olympic gold medallist Māris Štrombergs.

The Latvian star completed the course in 31.318, which will see him seeded in third for tomorrow’s supercross.

Following the completion of tomorrow’s event, the World Cup will then head to Manchester in April.

A World Cup will also be held in The Netherlands during May, while the final two events will be held at Rock Hill and Sarasota in the United States in October.