The Pan American Road Cycling Championships get underway in Pachuca, Mexico tomorrow ©Getty Images

A total of 200 cyclists from an expected 26 countries are set to compete at the Pan American Road Cycling Championships which are being held this year in Pachuca, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.

The programme starts with time trial events on the opening day tomorrow.

A rest day follows on Thursday (May 2), when the Pan-American Cycling Confederation (COPACI) Congress is due to take place.

The road races for the women, men’s under 23 and men’s fields, will be held on consecutive days starting on Friday (May 3), with the last race being held on Sunday (May 5).

Quota points will be available for the Tokyo 2020 Games at the event.

Riders in the Pan American Road Cycling Championships that start in Pachuca, Mexico tomorrow will be competing for additional Tokyo 2020 quota points ©Getty Images
Riders in the Pan American Road Cycling Championships that start in Pachuca, Mexico tomorrow will be competing for additional Tokyo 2020 quota points ©Getty Images

The technical meeting held in Pachuca ahead of the event was attended by COPACI President José Manuel Peláez.

The Championships were first staged in 1984.

Colombians Sebastian Milano and Walter Vargas are expected to defend the men’s road and time trial titles respectively.

Arlennis Sierra of Cuba and Amber Neden of the United States are due to defend the respective women’s road and time trial titles.