Mejía moves up in La Ruta stage 2
Pinto keps race lead
After the route for Stage 2 of La Ruta de los Conquistadores was changed on short notice due to an eruption from the Turrialba Volcano, riders had to endure double the elevation gain in half the distance of the normal stage. Portuguese rider Luis Leao Pinto (Scotiabank) kept his race lead on the 53 kilometer stage between Terramall in Tres Ríos and the Oikoumene Camp in Ochomogo of Cartago, while Colombian rider Luis Mejía (Coopenae Movistar Economy) won the stage.
Mejía took the early lead, but was caught by fellow Colombian Diyer Rincón in the first kilometers of the ascent to Tierra Blanca, after which Mejía attacked as they began descending Cabeza de Vaca. He went on to win the stage by two minutes over Rincón, with Todd Wells (Specialized) and race leader Pinot at 3:26. Thanks to his advantage, Mejía moved up to second in the overall standings.
"Today I began with the goal of winning the stage, and to cut my time in the general classification," Mejia said. "From the beginning I tried to get some advantage, at La Angelina Mountain Bike Park I did it, in the uphill I tried to keep up my pace since the hills were brutal, demanding, just like the descent. It was a new stage and a very quick one too."
Pinto had a bad day, but was able to salvage a result. "Thursday I spent almost 40km without water which cost me today, that's why I haven't had such a good feeling about this. In the forest I lost a bit of time and lost the two first guys, I wasn't comfortable, it was very complicated. In the ascent I tried to gain some time, but I burnt out and I got to the finish line in automatic because I couldn't even see the road, I had a big crisis but at the end I could keep going and get some alright results for today. This is mountain bike, one good day and one bad day," Pinto said.
Brief Results
# | Rider Name (Country) Team | Result |
---|---|---|
1 | Luis Mejía (Col) Coopenae Movistar | 2:43:56 |
2 | Diyer Rincón (Col) Constructora Arpo Specialized | 0:02:00 |
3 | Todd Wells (USA) Specialized | 0:03:26 |
4 | Luis Leao Pinto (Por) Scotiabank | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
5 | Paolo Montoya (Crc) Specialized | 0:08:53 |
6 | Josep Betalu (Spa) Constructora Arpo | 0:10:35 |
7 | Deiber Esquivel (Crc) Scotiabank | 0:14:53 |
8 | Eddy Pérez (Crc) Seven Capital | 0:18:33 |
9 | Ibon Zugasti (Spa) Where is the Limit ProBike | 0:20:07 |
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Lizzie Deignan gets green light to race La Vuelta Femenina
'My recovery has maybe been better than we even expected' says Deignan after suffering a broken arm in Tour of Flanders crash -
Gravel's newest star Torbjørn Røed leaves road behind with Unbound in mind
Conclusion of Tripel Crown of Gravel takes place this Sunday then Norwegian resets for Unbound Gravel -
POC Aspire cycling glasses review: A sturdy and stylish modern classic
Wide lens but modest height make these ideal for smaller heads -
Tour de Romandie: Thibau Nys wins stage 2 as Plapp attacks for GC
Lidl-Trek rider snags overall lead as Godon distanced