In a great performance, Colombian Miguel Ángel “Superman” López (Team Medellín-EPM) took victory in the first stage of the Gila Tour in the United States, after traveling 148 kilometers between Silver City and Mogollon Ghost Town.
The Boyacá cyclist, who takes the lead in the race, crossed the finish line first ahead of the Norwegian Torbjorn Andre Roed (Above & Beyond Cancer Cycling p/b Bike World) and the American Richard Arnopol (Project Echelon Racing), then to release them in the toughest sections of the final ascent.
The breakaway of the day was made up of Gregory Talpey (Expeditors Elite Cycling Team), Joey Bacala (Landis-Trek), Spencer Miller (Kelly Benefits Strategies/LSV cycling), William Goodfellow (Yoeleo Factory Team) and Stefan Verhoeff (Universe Cycling Team), but halfway through the route they were neutralized by the group of favorites.
At the end, the Mexican Ignacio de Jesús Prado (Canel’s Zerouno), and the American riders from the Kelly Benefit Strategies Elite team, Patrick Welch and Liam Flanagan tried to surprise with a long attack, but Team Medellín-EPM kept them in check and gave them capture in the final kilometers.
The first stage of this five-day race began at Gough Park in Silver City, and after 148km north of the city the peloton finished at Mogollon, after climbing a narrow path with gradients ranging from 15 to 19%.
This Thursday, the American round will continue with the second stage that will have a 120.7-kilometer route starting and ending in Fort Bayard, which includes three third-category mountain prizes. The successor to American Sean Gardner, last year’s champion, will be known on Sunday in Piños Altos (State of New Mexico).
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico y www.noticiclismo.com