The Costa Rican Gabriel Rojas became the first leader of the 19th edition of the Tour of Panama by winning today, Tuesday, the team time trial stage held in the town of El Coco, in Penonomé, province of Coclé.
The 7C Economy team from Costa Rica traveled 17.5 kilometers, recording a time of 20 minutes and 29 seconds, with an average speed of 50.38 kilometers per hour.
This cast, directed by Yurandir Leandro, is made up of Gabriel Rojas, Josué González, Rodolfo Villalobos, Luis Osses, Jhon Jiménez, Luis Mejía, Dylan Jiménez and Luis Aguilar.
Just two seconds apart, the Panama es Cultura y Valores team entered, setting a time of 20 minutes and 31 seconds. This team is made up of Bolivar Espinosa, Franklin Archibold, Christofer Jurado, Alex Strah, Randish Lorenzo, Cristofer Vargas, Sandi Guerra and Bredio Ruíz.
Colono Bikestation Kolbi, from Costa Rica, finished in third position, seven seconds behind. This team is made up of Daniel Bonilla, Sergio Arias, Emanuel Castro, Donovan Ramírez, Jason Huertas, Brandon Aguilar and Sebastián Moya.
In total, 23 teams started in the El Coco region, making up a peloton of 161 runners from various countries.
This Wednesday the second stage will take place, which will consist of 110 kilometers in a two-lap circuit between El Coco, Juan Díaz, Las Palmas, Churuquita, Toabré and Cuesta de Marica. The stage will include two sprints and a third category mountain prize.
In addition, there will be a section of sterrato (unpaved road) during the route, which will be 1.8 kilometers.