A scorching afternoon in San Juan, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius, marked the sixth stage of the Vuelta. This time, the stage returned to Media Agua, the starting and finishing point. The stage began at 3:48 PM in Plaza Media Agua, in front of the Sarmiento Municipality, with 107 cyclists out of the 109 who were scheduled to start. Two Brazilians involved in Wednesday’s crash, which resulted in physical injuries, were withdrawn.
A controlled route was established along Rivadavia Street west to José Ares Street, north to Barbosa Street, west to Route 4, north again until crossing the train tracks, and after 1,300 meters, the official start was announced.
Twenty minutes in, a significant breakaway formed, with Tomás Moyano and Arian Etcheverry among the protagonists. Their advantage of over two minutes put them in the overall lead: Exequiel Alarcón (Municipality of Chimbas); Arian Etcheverry (Municipality of Chimbas); Omar Azzen (Portal / Santa Lucía); Tomás Moyano (Municipality of Santa Lucía).
The first intermediate sprint was at the intersection of Aberastain and Furque streets in Pocito, at kilometer 41.7. Tomás Moyano won (three bonus seconds and three points), followed by Arian Etcheverry (two points and two bonus seconds), and Exequiel Alarcón (one point and one bonus second). After winning the intermediate sprint, Moyano decided not to continue his effort, allowing his three breakaway companions to ride on while he waited for the peloton. Two more men joined the group before reaching the Circunvalación Avenue: Chilean José Luis Rodríguez and Tomás Ruiz.
On the return south, the first Special Stage was held in front of the ATSA campsite, which was won by Exequiel Alarcón (Municipality of Chimbas).
The second sprint finish, on Route 40 in front of the Vicente Chancay Velodrome in Pocito (76.9 km), was won by Tomás Ruiz, followed by Arian Etcheverry and Omar Azzen. A few kilometers later, they were caught by other cyclists who had broken away from the peloton. As the race neared its end, the only mountain stage (category 3) was held on Route 40 at El Cerrillo (105 km), and the second Special Stage was also decided there. Ángel Oropel (Municipality of Chimbas) took the victory, with Peruvian Hugo Ruiz Calle (SEP) finishing second. 3rd Emiliano Pérez (Diberbool).
The third and final Special Stage was in front of the Barrio Solidaridad neighborhood and was won by Ángel Oropel (Municipality of Chimbas).
The final sprint in Media Agua was won by Peruvian Hugo Ruiz Calle (SEP); 2nd was Joao Pedro Rossi, from Brazil (Swift Pro); 3rd) Ángel Oropel (Municipality of Chimbas); 4th Emiliano Pérez (Diberbool); 5th Jacob Decar Zúñiga, from Chile (Stamina Racing).
Hugo Ruiz Calle is the first Peruvian to win a stage of the Vuelta a San Juan, and after his victory he said: “Very happy and grateful, especially to my entire team for the support they give me every day.”
The strategy to win the stage was to stay focused, especially with the general classification in mind, which is our goal. The breakaway happened almost in the last 50 kilometers, and it was a good opportunity that we were able to take advantage of. Tomorrow, the goal is the general classification.”
Podium and jersey leaders.
1st Hugo Ruiz Calle (Peru) – SEP San Juan
2nd Joao Pedro Rossi (Brazil) – Swift Pro
3rd Ángel Oropel – Municipality of Chimbas
General Individual
1st Tomás Contte – Municipality of Pocito
General Under 23
1st Martín Mancilla Labrin (Chile) – Stamina Racing
Best San Juan Rider
1st Leonardo Cobarrubia – SEP San Juan
General Mountain Classification
1st Tomás Moyano – Municipality of Santa Lucía / Gremios
General Sprint Classification
1st Leandro Velardez – Municipality of Pocito
This Friday, the seventh stage will take place, with the riders gathering at the corner of General Paz and Aberastain streets in Santa Lucía Plaza at 7:25 a.m. The race will start from that location at 8:30 AM, proceeding in a controlled manner along General Paz Street east to Colón Street, then north to the intersection with Libertador General San Martín Avenue, with the official start line 1,200 meters further on. The finish line will be at Alto del Colorado, near the church, after a distance of 139.5 km.
Source: https://sisanjuan.gob.ar