December 22/09 0:18 am - Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica - Stage 6

Posted by Editoress on 12/22/09
 

Costa Rican José Adrián Bonilla, of team Citibank-Economy Rent a Car-Blue, won Monday’s sixth stage at the 45th Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Costa Rica, while defending champion Gregory Brenes put himself ahead of the general classification once again.

In fact, the day’s course not only moved Brenes up to the lead, but shook up the entire classification. Bonilla sprinted to win over the six man group that dominated the race, however, it was Brenes who gained the most as he and other serious GC contenders attacked the rest of the peloton when the steepest mountains appeared.

Bonilla - former professional with Spain’s former Kelme/Costa Blanca team - crossed the finish line with a time of 3:41:19, second was Plycem-JPS-Orbea’s Pablo Araya, while third place went to Brenes. Another top figures of La Vuelta came in with the same time: local Juan Carlos Rojas and the Colombian duo of Janier Acevedo and Julián Rodas (Greatwall-Indeportes Antioquia).

In the general classification, Brenes commands the race with a total time of 19:37:16, but his main rivals are still close. José Adrián Bonilla is only 5 seconds behind, Colombia’s Acevedo at 10 and Juan Carlos Rojas at 14 seconds.

The sixth stage completed the 140 kilometre “double” route Santa Ana-San Ramón-Santa Ana, which was characterized by several ups and downs, “leg-breaker” style. The course presented the first category 1 climb of this year’s La Vuelta, and that was precisely where the best climbers took off from the peloton.

The most favoured riders to win the tour demonstrated why they have been considered as the true aspirants to the title. Bonilla, Brenes, Juan Carlos Rojas, his young brother César and teammate Pablo Araya, and Colombian Acevedo and Rodas were in the break that animated thousands of fans at every town the caravan went through.

The commanding group gained more than 10 minutes over the rest of the peloton. The sprinters had their chance to burn bright at the beginning of the competition, but now is the time for the climbers. Despite this, nobody finished outside the time limit … yet.

Therefore, all the riders that remain will be at the start line for tomorrow’s seventh stage,which will cover 144 kilometres between Guápiles, in the Atlantic Province of Limón, and Oreamuno, at cold Cartago.

Press release