Australia's Saya Sakakibara is within touching distance of a maiden BMX World Cup title after claiming victory in round nine of the series in Santiago del Estero.
Sakakibara put herself in prime position to be crowned champion after increasing her lead over Tokyo gold medallist and rival Bethany Shriever, with only Saturday's event to come.
The Briton, who traded wins with her in their previous match-up, struggled in Friday's final and was unplaced.
"I love it”, Sakakibara said about the Santiago track. “Two wins and a second.
"Coming into this week I was definitely less nervous than last week. I know the track now, and know I can be good, it was just about that pressure of repeating it."
It has capped a remarkable turnaround for the Gold Coast 24-year-old, who is flying high now after a massive low at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sakakibara made her Olympic debut in Tokyo but had to take an extended break from competition after a semi-final crash left her with lingering concussion symptoms.
She was riding with added motivation for her brother Kai, who suffered a shocking BMX race injury in February 2020 and was in a coma for two months with severe brain trauma.
A medal favourite in Tokyo, she said before Friday's event she was determined to perform in Paris at next year's Games.
"Paris is definitely a big goal for me," she said."I raced at Tokyo and it was a little bit of a disappointing result, so I'm definitely (looking) for redemption.
"But that's 10 months away, still a long way away. There's still a few world cup (races) ahead of that, and even a world championship.
"It's one race at a time for me ... but that's what I'm working towards."
American Cameron Wood won the men's elite race to stop the domination of French duo Romain Mahieu and Jons Daudet.
Mahieu is in prime position to clinch the overall title on Sunday (AEDT) after finishing second, with main rival Daudet having to settle for fourth. Australian Bodi Turner finished third.
