The day of the queen of Return to Colombia there is a king who is none other than the Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz (EF Education)who won alone in Alto del Vino after a journey from Cota of 138.3 kilometers, a day in which the Colombian behaved like a titan Rodrigo Contreras (Nu Colombia) keeping the leader’s yellow jersey.
Carapaz (El Carmelo, Carchi, 30 years old), Olympic road champion, opened the Ecuadorian festival with a solo break 5 km from Alto del Vino, while his compatriot Jonathan Caicedo followed him to the finish line in 15 seconds , ahead of leader Rodrigo Si Contreras, at 18, after a display of courage that allowed him to leave the leader’s yellow jersey at home with a day to spare.
The popularity of Carapaz and the entire EF Education in climbing the special category climbs that decided the Tour of Colombia. The attacks of its parts, which were finished by the champion of the 2019 Giro d’Italia, destroyed some of the favorites.
So, Egan Bernal gave up 33 seconds, Rigoberto Urán 35 and Iván Sosa 37. Nairo Quintana was not among the best and immediately dropped from the general group.
Fierce defense of the leadership of Contreras, driven by his heart and his audience, because he lived near Alto del Vino, in Mosquera. He has taken the lead in the general standings and will arrive at the final day in the capital Bogotá with the status of undisputed favourite.
Contreras leads the Colombian round, followed by Carapaz at 17 seconds, Caicedo at 24, Urán at 48 and Egan Bernal at 50. Harold Tejada, Esteban Chaves and Iván Ramiro Sosa continue in the top ten.
A decisive stage for the favorites, this fifth day is short, but with special difficulties, such as the difference in temperature between the lowest places, at 70 meters above sea level, and the high ones, at almost 2,900 meters. The rivalry will be all or nothing.
The exit was taken in Cota and the platoon traveled through the department of Cundinamarca, through the municipalities of Siberia, El Rosal, La Vega and Villeta. A festive Saturday, with an atmosphere of madness and passion for cycling.
A breakout of 7 riders quickly formed, including Movistar’s Brazilian Vinicius Rangel. The group took a 5-minute walk from the port, but the hardest part remained from the town of La Vega to Alto del Vino, a special category port crowned at 2,854 meters high.
The rebels melted down to the final surrender with Colombian Wilmar Paredes 15 from the finish line. A new story unfolds. Nu Colombia tense at the beginning, with Contreras safe, and then Astana with Lutsenko took over. Not enough movement for EF, which started its celebration with the attack of Chaves 13 from above. Nairo Quintana is no longer among the best.
Chaves’ punch was countered by Contreras, alone, unequipped, but as if that wasn’t enough, Richard Carapaz launched his first attack. Meanwhile, Urán is in the room. Iván Sosa, Caicedo, Bernal…they can barely keep up with each other a bit apart.
In control of the favorites, the figure of Carapaz, La Locomotora del Carchi, reappears. This time he attacked 5 from the finish line and never came back. This is the removal of the overwhelming majority of EF in the leading group. The Olympic champion never looked back. Caicedo is close behind, and Contreras is suffering in the distance.
Carapaz flies to the top, for the glory of signing a victory in the Alto del Vino, a place where there is nothing to drink from this liquid or from the vineyards. And Contreras watched the clock not to lose the yellow. He had a 40-second advantage over the Ecuadorian.
The ending is exciting. Illusions flew among the audience. Carapaz debuted his 2024 locker in style, with a solo exhibition that gave him the 21st victory of his record, and Contreras took a big step to win the Colombia Tour.
This Sunday the sixth and final stage will take place between Sopó and Bogotá, 138.7 km.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
