The Vuelta a Costa Rica returned to the National Stadium after 25 years with an agreed stage of 111 kilometers, starting and finishing in the new setting. The fraction left for San Ramón with a group of 72 runners, riding at more than 65 kilometers per hour, and with the victory of Ricardo Rouillon (Real Estelí).
The only flying goal of the day was met between multiple attacks and was conquered by the Dutchman Rick Nobel (Universe Cycling Team), in the company of Amílcar Méndez (Selección Guatemala), who were looking for the escape of the day. Marco Sánchez (Distribuidora Cruz-Tecnoforest-Atómica-Trama) occupied third position, surpassing Jordan Rodríguez (Costa Frut Go Rigo Go Giant) by millimeters.
The Guatemalans persisted with José Canastuj (Guatemala National Team), who dominated the passage through Altos de Naranjo (3rd), followed by Pablo Caicedo (Movistar Best PC), Bryan Salas (Costa Frut Go Rigo Go Giant) and Daniel Bonilla (Colono Bikestation Kolbi).
The final breakaway was made up of Gerson Toc (Selección Guatemala) and Richard Huera (Movistar Best PC), with the support of Bryan Salas (Costa Frut Go Rigo Go Giant), kilometers later, achieving a difference of 1 minute and 35 seconds at 25 kilometers from the finish line.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Rouillon (Real Estelí), Richard Zamora (Coffee Experts-Repuestos Mena-Volcano) and Nelson Sánchez (CMS-Prefabricados San Carlos) launched their bet from the lot, managing to connect with the head of the race.
While the six runners were collaborating at the front, they were notified of the neutralization of the stage, at kilometer 98, due to a collision between two trucks that had blocked traffic and made the outcome of the race impossible as stipulated by the organization.
The final packing between the sextet took place in the Firestone with Ricardo Rouillon (Real Estelí) making the most of the relegation terrain, resigning the options of Richard Zamora (Coffee Experts-Repuestos Mena-Volcano) and Richard Huera (Movistar PC).
The Costa Rican not only celebrated his first success in the Tour of Costa Rica, he also became one of the oldest cyclists to win a stage in the Costa Rican race.
For his part, Sergio Arias (Colono Bikestation Kölbi) concluded the day without any setbacks as part of the main group, escorted by his teammates. Ricardo Rouillon traveled the last 15 kilometers of the route in the middle of the vehicles parked on the road to officially receive the honors for his victory. The peloton did the same after a pause at the improvised finish line.
The Vuelta a Costa Rica enters its final stretch with a stage that will take the runners from the Telecable facilities in San José to Pérez Zeledón. The 126.6 kilometers include the first pass through the feared Cerro de la Muerte.