The emotions of the Vuelta a Bantrab (2.2) in Guatemala began and with it the party of Team-Medellín-EPM, who made it 1-2-3 on the finishing line. The Colombian – Spanish Óscar Sevilla was awarded with category the first stage of the test that ran between Guatemala City and the municipality of Salamá, in the department of Baja Verapaz.
The fraction that presented 140 kilometers and six mountain prizes was consistent with the conditions of the coffee climbers. The Antioquia team did not give space to its rivals and gave away a cycling chair in Guatemalan territory.
In second place and with the same time, his teammate Miguel Ángel López (Team Medellín-EPM) entered. The Boyacá cyclist was the ideal ally for Seville, on a mountainous day where they began to make considerable differences towards the end of the race.
Those led by José Julián “El Chivo” Velásquez read very well the last two mountain awards of the day, first Cerro Gordo (second category), and then the summit of Santa Elena (second category), and launched a deadly attack that did not They were able to follow their pursuers.
Miguel Ángel López and Óscar Sevilla in action in the first stage of the Vuelta Bantrab 2023. (Photo Vuelta Bantrab © FGC)
In an emotional finale, Sevilla and López arrived hand in hand, Óscar being the first to cross the penalty line, and with a rather considerable advantage of 3 minutes, 54 seconds over his teammate Róbigzon Oyola, who led a group of 12 riders, including Juan Pablo Suárez and Bernardo Suaza (Petrolike), Marco Tulio Suesca (Movistar Best PC), and Danny Osorio, Javier Jamaica and Yeison Reyes (Team Medellín – EPM).
In the early stages of the hot day, Nehemías Guerra (Panama is Culture and Values) was the great protagonist, the Panamanian rider separated from the peloton for a few moments, however the group led by Team Medellín-EPM quickly neutralized him.
Before starting the final climb, Ecuadorian Byron Guama (Movistar-Best PC) was involved in a fall in which approximately 12 men fell to the ground, but they all got up and continued running.
This Thursday, March 30, 15 beetles will continue their journey through Guatemalan territory when the second stage of the Chapina round takes place between San Miguel Chicaj and San Pedro Carchá, with a 124.5-kilometer route ideal for sprinters.
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico