The Costa Rican Bryan Salas (Real Estelí) took advantage of his climbing skills and secured victory in the queen stage of the Tour of Nicaragua 2023, the strongest in terms of the number of elevations and which was contested over 145 kilometers between Managua and the Masaya Volcano.
The Costa Rican cyclist, who is preparing for the Tour of Costa Rica, once again beat the men of Team Kilos, especially the Colombian Carlos Andrés Romero and the Nicaraguan Argenis Vanegas, who came second and third, respectively.
The segment began with an impressive attack by Henry Rojas of Team EDASA, who set a good race pace in the ascent of the first mountain pass located in El Crucero, where he passed first, guarded by Bryan González of Team KILOS and Argenis Vanegas of the same club.
Rojas remained on the run with a two-minute lead until he was absorbed in the municipality of Niquinohomo by Argenis Vanegas and Bryan González. The turn would be for the runner Marcos Sánchez of Team LLANTAS EL CHELITO, who remained on the run for much of the route until reaching the second mountain pass located in San Juan de Oriente.
As for the general classification, it underwent substantial changes in the top positions and is now led by Costa Rican Bryan Salas (Real Estelí), who took the lead from Colombian Carlos Andrés Romero (Team Kilos), who trails him at 43 seconds.
The Central American race culminates this Sunday with the fifth stage, a circuit through the streets of the Nicaraguan capital.
Source: Mundo Ciclístico Magazine and Nicaraguan Cycling Federation