Chilean cyclist Catalina Soto triumphed this Saturday in the time trial of the prologue of the 2026 Tour of El Salvador after a 2.7-kilometer course through the streets of San Salvador’s Historic Center.
The 24-year-old Chilean, a member of the Laboral Kutxa Fundaciรณn Euskadi team, secured the victory among 95 competitors from 12 countries to become the first leader of the general classification in this edition.
In a demanding race lined with hundreds of fans along the newly renovated Rubรฉn Darรญo promenade, Soto achieved her first UCI professional victory in a cycling event that brings together 95 elite cyclists, recording a time of three minutes and 48 seconds on the 2.7-kilometer circuit.
โI really wanted to win it, yes. We were here last year and I wanted to win, so Iโm very happy,โ said the winner, who was followed by Spainโs Ainara Albert with a time of three minutes 52 seconds (3:52:00).
โI think, if Iโm not mistaken, this is my first UCI professional victory with the team, so Iโm very happy. Itโs the first of the year, the first victory, so Iโm very proud of all the hard work,โ the winner added.
For the 2026 Tour El Salvador, the organizers have established 11 routes, which will allow the cyclists to cover more than 800 kilometers.
The Tour will feature 95 competitors from 12 countries, including representatives from Russia, China, Switzerland, and Argentina, as well as four Salvadoran teams competing to excel in this high-level international event, which brings together athletes from the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
This Sunday, the first stage will be run on an urban circuit in Flor Blanca, in the capital city. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. local time from the central Cuscatlรกn Park, which will also serve as the finish line.
Source: Prensa Latina News Agency