Chiriqui cyclist Alex Strah, from the Panama is Culture and Values team, won the second stage of the Vuelta a San Carlos, which is taking place in Costa Rica.
The 122.9-kilometre stage between Ciudad Quesada and Venice included three intermediate finishes and a mountain prize. Despite Strah’s victory, local cyclist Pablo Mudarra Segura, from the Colono Bikestation Kolbi team, maintains the overall lead, wearing the yellow jersey after the day.
With his victory, Strah managed to reduce the 37-second gap that separated him from Mudarra. Although both now have the same time in the general classification, the Costa Rican retains the first place due to his better position in the two previous stages.
The end of the stage was decided by an exciting sprint between Strah and Sergio Arias, Mudarra’s teammate. However, the power and experience of the former Central American road champion, Alex Strah, allowed him to cross the finish line first and take the victory.
“We feel very good today in a race that has always been of a very high level. We will continue to fight in the next stages, as we have a demanding season finale coming up with the Tour of Panama in October,” said Strah after his victory.
Two Panamanian teams are participating in the Vuelta a San Carlos: Rali Giant and Continental Panama is Culture and Values.
This Friday, the third stage of the XLIII Vuelta a San Carlos will be run, a 20.19-kilometer individual time trial between Muelle and San Rosa de Pococí.