HOLGUÍN, CUBA. The Spiritist Carlos Álvarez starred here today his best historical performance and not only conquered the difficult stretch from Santiago de Cuba to the City of Parks, but jumped from the 16th place to the first in the VI Clásico de Ciclismo Baracoa-La Habana.
With about five kilometers from the expected 142.4, did not hesitate to get away from the leading lot, consisting of about 30 runners, to reach only the goal located in front of the Calixto Garcia stadium, with arms raised.
He was followed by the Cienfuegos Frank Sosa, the Pinar del Río Emilio Pérez and the habanero Carlos Mirabal, who were given the same time by the winner (3 hours, 35 minutes and 12 seconds).
There he also pedaled Luis Ramírez from Granada, David Molina from Sancti Spiritus, Frank Consuegra from Buenos Aires and Felix Nodarse from Madrid, who was the hero of this segment last year.
With snatch in post 3 of the former Moncada Barracks, today School City July 26, the multicolored snake rolled compact to Puerto Moya (km 21.4), where they climbed ahead in the category C mountain prize the Juan Cabrera and the santiagueros from Sancti Spiritus Javier Revilla and Pedro Portuondo.
The other port of the same level, in Rejondones (km 114.5), was first overtaken by Sosa, Portuondo and the defending champion of the Classic, the spirit of Joel Solenzal.
The indomitable Portuondo, champion of the 2017 version in this section, with 20 points, leads the best climbers ahead of Solenzal (11), Balmaseda (8) and Sosa (7).
In the day three flying goals were disputed in one of the most uncomfortable stretches, due to the bad state of the road, mainly after Palma Soriano (km 41.6), where the havanian Kevin Vega, the Artemiseño Yoan Fernández and the Granma Luis Ramírez.
When crossing through the town of Mella (km 73.9) the most combative were Cabrera, Mirabal and the Avilanian Marlon González.
Cabrera was excited and tried to escape, but was absorbed by the “ball” before reaching the third wheel, located in the Entronque de Birán (km 85.8), which won Revilla, escorted by the Guantanamo Frandel Castillo and artemiseño Fernández
However, Nodarse remains at the head of the points classification, now tied with Ramírez with 8 units. Behind Alvarez and the Santiago Miguel Valido appear, who runs for Sancti Spíritus, both with six.
This Sunday will be the longest and most flat stretch of the Classic, 199 km from the capital of Holguín to Camagüey, departing from the central park Calixto García at 8 and 10 a.m.
The flying goals will be located in Las Tunas (79 km) and, already in Camagüey territory, in Guáimaro (km 120 km) and Sibanicú (km 149.5). (Lissette Ricardo / jit.cu)
TEN FIRST CLASSIFICATION STAGE 3 (142.0 KM).
1. ALVAREZ, CARLOS (SSP) 3:35:12:000
2. SOSA, FRANK (CFG)
3. PEREZ, EMILIO (PRI)
4. MIRABAL, CARLOS (HAB)
5. BALMASEDA, YASMANI (ART) +0:00:06
6. PARRA, ALEJANDRO (HOL) +0:00:19
7. RAMIREZ, LUIS (GRA)
8. MOLINA, DAVID (SSP)
9. CONSUEGRA, FRANK CARLOS (HOL)
10. NODARSE, FELIX (ART)
TEN FIRST GENERAL INDIVIDUAL CLASSIFICATION.
1. ALVAREZ, CARLOS (SSP) 9:45:09
2. PEREZ, EMILIO (PRI) +0:00:08
3. PARRA, ALEJANDRO (HOL) +0:00:17
4. ARIAS, YAN CARLOS (LTU) +0:00:21
5. MARCOS, LEANDRO (HAB) +0:00:00
6. SOSA, FRANK (CFG) +0:00:22
7. FERNANDEZ, YOAN MIGUEL (ART) +0:00:25
8. RAMIREZ, LUIS (GRA) +0:00:28
9. NODARSE, FELIX (ART) +0:00:00
10. VEGA, KEVIN (HAB) +0:00:00