December 22/09 22:01 pm - Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica - Stage 7

Posted by Editoress on 12/22/09
 

Colombian Julián Rodas, of Team Greatwall-Indeportes Antioquia- won Tuesday's seventh stage at the 45th Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica, with defending champion Gregory Brenes -BCR-Pizza Hut-KHS- hanging onto the overall lead.

Both riders were in the breakaway of the day, along with Janier Acevedo (Greatwall-Indeportes Antioquia) and Juan Carlos Rojas (Plycem-JPS-Orbea), who now appear to be the most likely candidates to this year's title. The four covered the 144 kilometre course 4:09:56. Stage seven's route joined the communities of Guápiles, in the Caribbean province of Limón, and Oreamuno, in Cartago.

The four riders overcame the Category 2 mountain port of La Victoria together and forged a significant gap on the rest of the possible contenders. It seems that riders such as José Bonilla, Marconi Durán and Henry Raabe will now have their work cut out to get back on the potential winners short list.

Brenes leads the individual classification with a total time of 23:47:12. Acevedo is only 10 seconds behind, while Rojas and today's winner Rodas are at 14 seconds disadvantage.

However, a mistake can still determine the final outcome, and it might take place tomorrow on stage eight, the feared and traditional climbing time trial of the Costa Rican Tour. This year's 13.6 kilometre course is going to be completed between the city of Cartago and the rural community of Santa Rosa de Oreamuno, located in the low lands of the Irazú Volcano.

This is one of the biggest challenges of La Vuelta because of its 20% gradient; the cold temperatures and the impossibility of drafting off of other racers... It is just the men against the clock. The first ITT of the event might represent the perfect chance for the yellow jersey holder to get off his rivals, but it is also an opportunity for them to catch and pass the current leader.