33rd Vuelta al Tachira

Preview

Ninety one riders are registered for this year's race from seven countries including 34 Venezuelans, 17 Colombians, 11 Italians, 10 Cubans, 10 Costaricans, 6 yugoslavans, 2 French and 1 Belgian.

There are a number of foreign teams competing, including Amore e Vita from Italy, Kross Selle Italia/Bono Ciclismo from Italy/Colombia, the National teams from Cuba and Yugoslavian, Orgullo Paisa from Colombia, and the small Belgian team of Zapato Carnac. Foreign team lists are as follows:

Amore e Vita: Maurizio De Pasquale, Michele Ferti, Andrea Patuelli, Gilberto Zattoni, Massimo Gimondi, Gino Paolini, Nicola Castaldo and Michele Massa. Managers: Sandro Lerici, Andrea Conti and Daniele Misseri.

Kross Selle Italia/Bono Ciclismo: Vladimir Pulnikov, Alvaro Lozano, Fulvio Frigo, César Goyenche, Gianluca Pierobon, Javier Zapata, Gian Paolo Mondini, Rafael Brand and Raúl Saavedra. Managers: Gianni Savio, Antonio Castaño and Donato Pucciarelly.

Yugoslavia: Mico Brkovic, Mikos Rnjakovic, Boris Ljujic, Dobrivoje Javancevic, Milan Zivrovic, Aleksander Milenkovic and Alexander Nikacevic. Managers: Margit Savovic, Dragan Karanovic and Alexander Davetak.

Orgullo Paisa: Dubán Ramírez, Argiro Zapata, Hernán Darío Muñoz, Ariel Martínez, Héctor Manuel Castaño, Germán Ospina, Ramón García, Leonardo Cardona, Hernán Alonso Osorio and Francisco Osorio. Managers: Roberto Sánchez, Jorge Sánchez, Jesús Piedrahita, Oscar Toro, Robert González, Rubén Vélez and John Taborda.

Cuba: Jesús Núñez Lazo, Heriberto Rodríguez, Iván Domínguez, Lizardo Benítez, Vicente Sanabria, Javier Prieto, Iosvany Gutiérrez, Reinaldo Rodríguez and Héctor Ajete. Managers: Jesús Barrios, Nelson Socorro, Miguel López and Héctor Gutiérrez.

Zapato Carnac: Philippe Lepeurien, Yves Beau, Steve Clausse, Andres Monge, Roberto Varela, Gustavo Mesen, Tonny Saldana and William Morales. Managers: Alain Clouse and Juan Luis Fernández.

Stage 1, Circuit in Maracaibo, 122.4 km:

 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven)     3.00.19 
 2. Fulvio Frigo (Ita)
 3. Arlex Méndez (Ven)
 4. Hussein Monsalve (Ven)
 5. Carlos Maya (Ven)
 6. Gino Paolini (Ita)
 7. Mico Brkovic (Yug)
 8. José González (Cub)
 9. José Chacón (Ven)
10. Yves Bean (Fra)             all s.t.

GC after Stage 1 (with Bonuses):

   
 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven)     3.00.08 
 2. Fulvio Frigo (Ita)              0.05
 3. Arlex Méndez (Ven)              0.05
 4. Gino Paolini (Ita)              0.09
 5. Rafael Brand (Col)              0.09
 6. Ricardo Villalobos (Crc)        0.10
 7. Hussein Monsalve (Ven)          0.11
 8. Carlos Maya (Ven)               0.11
 9. Mico Brkovic (Yug)              0.11
10. José González (Cub)             0.11

Stage 1 Report

Venezuelan Julio César Blanco, won outsprinted his rivals to win the first stage over a circuit at the at the city of Maracaibo, in northwest Venezuela. The stage was contested over 122.4 kms and was covered in 3 hours and 19 seconds.

The action started with three laps to go when Blanco, Colombian Rafael Brand and Costarican Ricardo Villalobos jumped from the peloton and opened a 40 second gap, although the peloton reacted and by the last lap they were caught at the finish line.

Julio César Blanco, represents Team Lotería del Táchira (Lottery of Tachira). Blanco is considered one of the main threats for the Colombian riders who usually dominate the race.

Riding for Loteria del Tachira, Julio Cesar Blanco staved off a mass sprint finish of the chase pack to finish inches ahead of the wave of attackers who nearly swallowed him up and ended his escape attempt inches from final victory, and taking the first stage of the best multistage race in Venezuela, the 33rd edition of the Vuelta a Tachira.

With 122 of 1726 kilometers finished, the 91 riders of seven countries have already had to put up with fast times and the intense heat of the Lake Maracaibo basin, one of the hottest in Venezuela and guaranteed to peel the average gringo in 60utes. For Blanco, of the Kino Tachira team, it was his third stage win in the Vuelta in his racing career and perhaps the sweetest. In a well played tactical race by aor team, he hooked up with Costa Rican Ricardo Villalobos and Rafael Brand of Kross Selle Italia to put together a successful escape on the 12th of 17 circuits and then use his escape partners legs to hold off the mass to the very end.

Amore e Vita's Gino Paolini took the first sprint and the overall sprint jersey just ahead of Fulvio Frigo of Selle Italia and teammate Michele Massa. However, it was Venezuela's Blanco who picked up the 11 second bonus for winning the final sprint of the day and thus the overall lead by 5 seconds over Kross Selle Italia's Fulvio Frigo and Arlex Mendez of local powerhouse, Loteria del Tachira.

Tomorrow's second stage is the longest of this year's race between the cities of Ciudad Ojeda and Caja Seca, covering 183.1 kms over flat terrain and like today in very hot weather.

Stage 2, Ciudad Ojeda-Caja Seca, 183.1 kms

 
 1. Gino Paolini (Ita) 		    5.06.30 
 2. Fulvio Frigo (Ita)  
 3. José González (Ven)  
 4. Husseín Monsalve (Ven) 
 5. Arlex Méndez (Ven)  
 6. Michele Massa (Ita)  
 7. Reinaldo Rodríguez (Cub) 		
 8. Ives Beauseche (Bel)  
 9. Nico Brkhvic (Yug)  
10. Héctor Ajete (Cub)  	    all s.t.

GC after Stage 2:

 
 1. Fulvio Frigo (Ita) 		     8.06.38 
 2. Julio Blanco (Ven)			s.t.
 3. Gino Paolini (Ita) 			0.01 
 4. Arlex Méndez (Ven) 			0.03 
 5. Jesús Zambrano (Ven) 		0.05 
 6. Rafael Brandt (Col) 		0.09 
 7. Isaac Ramírez (Ven) 		s.t.
 8. Ricardo Villalobos (C. Rica) 	0.10 
 9. Husseín Monsalve (Ven) 		0.11 
10. Carlos Maya (Ven) 			s.t.

Stage 2 Report

The Italian cyclists showed their dominance in the second stage of the 23rd Vuelta al Táchira and Bicicleta, which was won by Gino Paolini, while Fulvio Frigo took the leader's jersey, although he has the same time as Venezuelan Julio César Blanco. But the leader's jersey was given to the Italian who finished in a higher position yesterday and will start today as leader.

Yesterday's stage, the longest of the event with a roue covering 183.1 kms between Ciudad Ojeda and Caja Seca, was celebrated under high temperatures.

Paolini, who rides for Team Amore e Vita, beat his compatriot Fulvio Frigo, from Team Ross Selle Montanari, in the finish. With Cuban José González, who's riding for Barinas took third. Julio César Blanco, who won the first stage, was not able to finish amongst the first ten in this 2nd stage.

Shortly after the start of the stage there was an escape attempt which involved riders from Tachira, Robinson Merchán, Alexis Méndez and Colombian Argiro Zapata and opened a gap of almost oneute over the pelotón. But there was a reaction from the peloton and before the 30 kms they were caught.

Almost immediately Venezuelan Jesús Zambrano started what would become the most important action in the day. He left the peloton and stayed away until the 165 km mark, reaching a maximum advantage of almost 10 minutes. But the Italian teams increased the rhythm in front of the peloton and caught the escapee, who won the day's two sprints. So things were set for the finish by Paolini and Frigo, mass finish specialists.

After two days, the differences amongst the top 10 in the general classification areimal, but today they will face the two first mountain prizes. This should make things turn for the Italians and move to the climber's realm, for which Colombians are known worldwide.

Stage 3, El Vigía-Tovar, 158.1 kms:

 1. H. Monsalve (Ven) 		     4.21.05 
 2. Julio Blanco (Ven)
 3. Alexis Méndez (Ven)			1.45 
 4. C. Goyeneche (Col) 			1.47 
 5. Carlos Maya (Ven) 
 6. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) 
 7. Erwin Méndez (Ven) 
 8. Omar Pumar (Ven) 
 9. Alvaro Lozano (Col) 
10. César Salazar (Ven) 

GC after Stage 3:

 
 1. Julio Blanco (Ven) 		    12.27.32 
 2. Husseín Monsalve (Ven)		0.15 
 3. Alexis Méndez (Ven) 		2.05 
 4. Isaac Ramírez (Ven)			2.07 
 5. C. Goyeneche (Col) 			2.09 
 6. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven)  
 7. Carlos Maya (Ven) 
 8. Erwin Méndez (Ven) 
 9. César Salazar (Ven) 
10. Argiro Zapata (Col)

Other Classifications

Mountains:

 1. H. Monsalve (Ven)	 	15 pts 
 2. Julio Blanco (Ven) 		12 
 3. Alexis Méndez (Ven) 	 6 
 4. César Goyeneche (Col) 	 4 
 5. Carlos Maya (Ven) 		 3 

Sprints:

 1. Michele Massa (Ita) 	15 pts 
 2. Gino Paolini (Ita) 		14 
 3. Reinaldo Rodríguez (Cub) 	 6 
 4. Fulvio Frigo (Ita) 		 6 
 5. Gilberto González (Ven) 	 5 

Cyclist Husseín Monsalve, who rides for team Alcaldía de Barinas (Barinas City Hall), won the third stage yesterday with Julio César Blanco, who escorted him, taking the leader's jersey.

Monsalve y Blanco, who executed a long escape, finished with a time of 4:21:05, with Alexis Méndez coming in third 1 minute and 45 seconds behind. With this result, Blanco, who won the first stage in Maracaibo, regained the leader's jersey by taking it from Italian Fulvio Frigo, who reached the finish line yesterday 19utes behind the stage winner.

The stage started at El Vigía, where the peloton rode on a circuit until they completed 100 kms. They then headed towards Tovar, where the finish line was located. On the fifth lap, at the 30km point, the first intermediate prize was debated, which was won by Cuban Reinaldo Rodríguez Leiva, who had started an escape. He beat Italian Gino Paolini.

The attempts didn't stop, with a group forming composed of Paolini, Michele Massa and Nicola Castaldo (Italy), Dubán Ramírez and Rafael Brand (Col), Jesús Núñez (Cuba) and the Venezuelans Henry Meneses and Robinson Merchán, who opened a gap of 2 minutes and 35 seconds. The first sprint was located at kilometer 61 and was won by Italian Castaldo. The breakaway was caught at the 80km mark.

But the tranquility didn't last long. A little later, a trio composed by Francisco Díaz, Gilberto González and Larry Peña who ride for the team from Merida and opened a gap of more than two minutes, which allowed González to win the intermediate prize at kilometer 91, where the flat terrain finished and the mountains started. The escapees started to feel the difficulty of the climbs and were reached by Monsalve (Ven) and Blanco (Ven), who took advantage of the climb to open a gap from their chasers.

The escape allowed Monsalve to take the Mountain prize at kilometer 131 (type C) and also the second, at the finish (type A), while Blanco was happy with finishing in second place, which allowed him regain the overall lead. The European riders were the most harmed by the heat and the steep topography, like Italian Fulvio Frigo, who until yesterday was the overall leader and lost 19 minutes.

Stage 4, Zea-Mérida, 111.6 kms:

 1. César Salazar (Ven)      2.57.15 
 2. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) 
 3. Giovanni Vargas (Ven)
 4. Rafael Brand (Col)		0.17 
 5. César Goyeneche (Col)	0.20 
 6. Hernán Muñoz (Col)		0.21 
 7. Carlos Maya (Ven)
 8. Omar Pumar (Ven) 
 9. Alvaro Lozano (Col) 
10. Argiro Zapata (Col)   

GC after Stage 4:

 
 1. Julio Blanco (Ven)      15.25.11 
 2. Husseín Monsalve (Ven)	0.09 
 3. César Salazar (Ven)		1.37 
 4. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) 	1.40 
 5. C. Goyeneche (Col) 		2.05 
 6. Carlos Maya (Ven) 		2.06 
 7. Erwin Méndez (Ven) 
 8. Omar Pumar (Ven) 
 9. Alvaro Lozano (Col) 
10. Argiro Zapata (Col)

Stage 4 Report

The riders from Tachira (Ven) made the 111.6 kms 4th stage between Zea and Mérida their own yesterday. César Salazar won the stage with Julio César Blanco contining to lead the general classification. Salazar, winner of last year's Tour climbed a few positions in the overall and is now less than two minutes from the leader.

The stage started out flat, then the riders had some climbs before a very tough final ascent. The Italian riders were the great animators during the first sections, amongst them Gino Paolini and Michele Massa, from Team Amore e Vita and Gianluca Pierobon and Fulvio Frigo, from Team Kross Selle.

The first intermediate prize came at the 15.7 km point and was won by Paolini, followed by Michele Massa. Paolini leads the intermediate classification 19 points, followed by Massa with 18, Frigo 7, Gilberto González 5 and Husseín Monsalve 4. There were also two sprint prizes, the first won by Frigo (km 39.1) and the second by Manuel Caballero (km 66.5). The board on that prize is lead by Arlex Méndez with 8 points, Julio César Blanco has 6 and Rafael Brandt 5.

As soon as the climbing began, that European's party ended, with the locals and Colombians coming to the front. After a few attempts at the head of the peloton, Josmer Méndez and Rafael Brandt were able to open a gap, but were later neutralized by Alexis Méndez, Giovanni Vargas and then joined by César Salazar and Aldrin Salamanca, while César Goyeneche and Hernán Muñoz attempted, but were not able to bridge the gap.

Salazar lead at the finish with a time of 2:57:15, escorted by his teammate Aldrin Salamanca and Giovanni Vargas with the same time. Rafael Brandt came in 17 seconds behind and Goyeneche and Muñoz came after him.

This became a very beneficial stage for Team Lotería del Táchira, since Blanco kept the overall lead and Salazar climbed in the classification.

Stage 5, Circuit Race at Barinas, 20 x 6.8 km laps:

 1. Iosvany Gutiérrez (Cub) Cuba National               3.24.26
 2. José González (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas   
 3. Fulvio Frigo (Ita) Kross Selle Italia
 4. Héctor Ajete (Cub) Cuba National
 5. Steve Clausse (Bel) Carnac-Bélgica
 6. Fernando Sandi (Ven) El Verdugo Jaisa
 7. Lizardo Benítez (Cub) Cuba
 8. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas
 9. Omar Pumar (Ven) Lotería del Táchira
10. Carlos Arburola (Costa R) Costa Rica National        all s.t.

GC after Stage 5:

 
 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Lotería del Táchira    18.49.37
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas            	0.09
 3. César Salazar (Ven) Lotería del Táchira      	1.37
 4. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) Lotería del Táchira    	1.40
 5. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira      	2.02
 6. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia     	2.03
 7. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira           	2.06
 8. Omar Pumar (Ven) Lotería del Táchira
 9. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia
10. Erwin Méndez (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas                 all s.t.

Other Classifications

Sprint

 1. Arlex Méndez 	12
 2. Ramón Caballero 	 6
 3. Julio Blanco 	 6

Metas volantes

 1. Gino Paolini 	24
 2. Michelle Massa 	18
 3. Ramón Caballero 	10

Mountains

 1. César Salazar 	23
 2. César Goyeneche 	16
 3. Hussein Monsalve 	15

Consistency

 1. Hussein Monsalve 	64
 2. Fluvio Frigo 	56 
 3. Julio Blanco 	46

Stage 5 Report

Iosvany Gutiérrez gave the Cuban team its first win in the Tour by taking the 5th stage over 136 kms in the city of Barinas.

At the 10 km point, Ramon Caballero, a local talent escaped and stayed away until the last 25 kms. He became a victim of the heat and was neutralized by the Cuban cyclists in an excellent chasing job. There were so many people watching the stage on the side, that it caused some problems. One sign of the troubles came with a major fall involving about 10 riders, which luckily caused no injuries. Some of the riders involved were Costarican Ricardo Segueira, Colombians César Goyeneche and Ramón García, Venezuelan Arlex Méndez and Italians Gino Paolini and Gianluca Pierobon. The fall took away any chance of a win for the Italians, who have dominated mass finishes, with Iosvany Gutiérrez, taking full advantage.

Stage 6, Santa Bárbara de Barinas - Palmira, 170.9 kms:

 1. Róbinson Merchán (Ven) Lot Táchira	     4.14.52
 2. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas		0.09
 3. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Alc Barinas
 4. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orullo Paisa-Col	
 5. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) Lot Táchira
 6. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle-Italia
 7. Roberto Varela (Costa R) Bel
 8. Wladimir Forero (Ita) Kross Selle-Italia
 9. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lot Táchira
10. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle-Italia

GC after Stage 6:

 
 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Lot Táchira    23.04.38
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob-Alc Barinas	0.06
 3. César Salazar (Ven) Lot Táchira		1.37
 4. Aldrin Salamanca (Ven) Lot Táchira		1.40
 5. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lot Táchira		2.02
 6. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle-Italia	2.03
 7. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lot Táchira		2.05
 8. Omar Pumar (Ven) Lot Táchira		2.06
 9. Erwin Méndez (Ven) Gob Barinas		2.06
10. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle-Italia 	2.06

Other Classifications

Sprints

 1. Arlex Méndez 		15 points
 2. Ramón Caballero 	 	 6
 3. Julio César Blanco 		 6
 4. Frigo Fulvio 	 	 6
 5. Rafael Brand 	 	 5

Metas volantes

 1. Gino Paolini 		26 points
 2. Michelle Massa 		18
 3. Ramón Caballero 		10
 4. José Balaustre 		10
 5. Frigo Fulvio 		 7

Mountains

 1. César Salazar 		29 points
 2. Hussein Monsalve 		21
 3. Róbinson Merchán 		20
 4. César Goyeneche 		20
 5. Aldrin Salamanca 		17

Consistency

 1. Hussein Monsalve 		80 points
 2. Frigo Fulvio 		56
 3. Aldrin Salamanca 		54
 4. Julio César Blanco 		51
 5. José González 		44

Robinson Merchán, a rider from Tachira, showed his class in both flat terrain and the mountains by winning the sixth stage, over 170.9 kms between Santa Bárbara de Barinas and Palmira. There were big changes expected in the general classification, but it didn't turn out that way. Merchán, ex-champion of the Panamerican race was the main player on the stage.

Gilberto Zattoni, from Team Amore e Vita, went away at the 60km point and opened a 3 minute gap. This stage would become a torture for overall leader Julio César Blanco since he had stomach problems, but his will power was the only thing that would allow him to defend his leader's jersey. Merchán, Blanco's teammate, took off from the peloton and reached the European at the 130km point of the stage. He faced the last part of the stage alone and came in 9 seconds in front of Giovanni Vargas, who lead the peloton in.

Stage 7, San Cristóbal - El Cristo, 127.7 kms:

 1. Hernán Darío Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia) 3.20.39
 2. Carlos Maya Ven) (Lotería del Táchira
 3. Argiro Zapata (Col) Orgullo Paisa 			0.04
 4. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia 		0.31
 5. César Salazar Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.31
 6. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Elite-Barinas 		0.41
 7. Vladimir Forero (Ita) Kross Selle Italia 		0.44
 8. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia 		0.54
 9. Rafael Brand (Col) Kross Selle Italia 		1.05
10. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		1.27

GC after Stage 7:

 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira           26.26.45
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas 		0.30
 3. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.30
 4. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.32
 5. Argiro Zapata (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.39
 6. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 			0.40
 7. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.09
 8. Vladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.22
 9. César Goyeneche (Ven) Kross Selle Italia		1.29
10. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira		2.01

Other Classifications

Metas volantes

 1. Gino Paolini (Ita) Amore e Vita		25 points
 2. Michelle Massa (Ita) Amore e Vita		18
 3. Michelle Ferti (Ita) Amore e Vita		12
 4. Ramón Caballero (Ven) Mérida		10
 5. José Balaustre (Ven) Elite Barinas		10

Mountains

 1. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa Colombia	38 points
 2. César Salazar (Ven) Lotería del Táchira	37
 3. Giovanny Vargas (Ven) Elite Barinas		35
 4. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira	29
 5. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas	21

Sprints

 1. Arlex Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira	15 points
 2. Michelle Ferti (Ita) Amore e Vita		 6
 3. Ramón Caballero (Ven) Mérida		 6
 4. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino Táchira	 5
 5. Rafael Brand (Col) Kross Selle Italia	 5

Consistency

 1. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas	80 points
 2. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino Táchira	62
 3. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira	55
 4. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia	49
 5. José González (Ven) Elite Barinas		44

Colombians showed themselves on Stage 7 between San Cristóbal and the El Cristo mountain. As expected, the Colombians went on the attack with Hernán Osorio and Costarican Fernando Sandí joined in him along with Italian Michelle Ferti. That trio stayed away most of the stage, until they reached the foot of the mountain. Then Colombians Hernán Muñoz and Argiro Zapata took off from the peloton, along with Tachira's Carlos Maya. They caught the escapees and left them behind. With the Colombians doing most of the work and Maya just holding their wheel to save his strength and not to contribute to a group that could threaten his teammate's (Blanco) overall lead, who was having problems in the climb. Blanco ended up finishing 11 at one minute and twenty eight seconds and saved his leader's jersey. Muñoz won the stage.

Stage 8, Circuit Race at San Cristóbal 15 laps, 144 kms:

 1. Isaac Ramírez (Ven) Kino Táchira		     3.43.31 
 2. José Chacón (Ven) Kino Táchira			
 3. José González (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas			1.57
 4. José Balaustre (Ven) Ciclo Caipe Barinas		2.00
 5. Nicola Castaldo (Ita) Amore e Vita			4.14
 6. Pastor Linares (Ven) Lot. del Táchira		4.17
 7. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas		5.05
 8. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia 		s.t.
 9. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia 		5.08
10. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		s.t.

GC after Stage 8:

 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira           31.17.24
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas 		0.27
 3. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.30
 4. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.32
 5. Argiro Zapata (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.39
 6. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 			0.40
 7. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.08
 8. Vladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.22
 9. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.26
10. Rafael Brand (Col) Kross Selle Italia		1.45

Other Classifications

Sprint:
 
 1. Arlex Méndez 		17
 2. Michele Ferti 		 6
 3. Ramón Caballero 		 6

Metas volantes:

 1. Gino Paolini 		20
 2. Michelle Massa 		18
 3. José Balustre 		15

Mountains:

 1. Hernán Muñoz 		38
 2. César Salazar 		37
 3. Giovanni Vargas 		35

Consistency:

 1. Hussein Monsalve 		93
 2. Julio César Blanco 		59
 3. César Goyeneche 		57

The Tachiran duo of Isaac Ramírez and José Chacón were involved in a long breakaway over the 144km stage raced on a circuit embracing the España Avenue, in San Cristóbal. Chacón and Ramírez attacked after the first sprint line and opened a 5 minute gap over the peloton. The bunch didn't seem to be concerned by their escape and decided to save their energies for the next demanding stage. Ramírez and Chacón were not a threat to the overall GC. They both reached the finish holding hands, but the win was given to Ramírez, who together with Chacón, have worked hard for the overall leader, Julio César Blanco.

Stage 9, Táriba-La Grita, 139.2 kms:

 1. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia	     4.03.31 
 2. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            	0.03 
 3. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.24 
 4. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.28 
 5. Husseín Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas 		s.t.
 6. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Elite-Barinas 		0.43 
 7. Julio Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira          		0.49 
 8. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		s.t.

GC after Stage 9:

 1. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            34.19.33 
 2. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira          	0.11 
 3. Husseín Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas 		0.17 
 4. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.20 
 5. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.39 
 6. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.43 
 7. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.56 
 8. Wladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia		2.10

Stage 9 Report

Colombian César Goyeneche won the 139.2 km ninth stage between Táriba and La Grita. He was accompanied by César Salazar, who took over the general classification. Salazar, who was the winner of last year's edition, took over the overall lead from his compatriot Julio César Blanco, who reached the finish line 49 seconds behind the winner of the stage and went down to second in the overall. This is the second win stage for the Colombians, since Hernán Muñoz won the seventh stage.

Even though there were some changes in the overall, they were nothing like was expected, taking into account the toughness of the stage, with two difficult mountain climbs, the second one a Class A right at the finish, after some 20 kms. of climbing. The differences amongst the top riders in the overall classification are small, which means the excitement will build as the race nears its end.

Yesterday there was another duel between the Colombias and Venezuelans, with the latter doing the best. The first intermediate prize was contested at the 14km point and was won by the José Balaustre. A group was formed ahead of the peloton after continuous attacks, composed of Colombian Javier Zapata, winner of last year's Vuelta a Venezuela and his compatriot Germán Ospina, along with Tommy Alcedo, Eduardo Guerrero, Ramón Caballero and Cuban Javier Prieto. Eduardo Guerrero took the class B mountain prize located 35kms from the start, while Javier Zapata took the sprint award at the 60km point and Alcedo the intermediate prize located at 100kms. Ospina took the sprint prize that was disputed at kilometer 119.

César Salazar, last year's winner of la Vuelta al Táchira, sneeked into a breakaway that was formed in the last kilometers, but was then passed in the last meters by César Goyeneche, who take the stage and the mountain prize located at the finish line.

Stage 10, La Grita-Colon, 151.4 kms:

 1. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 	     3.45.25
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Elite Barinas 		0.10
 3. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia
 4. Julio Cesar Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira
 5. Carlos May (Ven) Lotería del Táchira
 6. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira
 7. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia
 8. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia
 9. Vladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia
10. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas			0.17

GC after Stage 10:

 1. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            38.05.28
 2. Julio Cesar Blanco (Ven) Kino-Táchira          	0.11
 3. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas 		0.12
 4. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.20
 5. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.36
 6. Carlos May (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.43
 7. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.52
 8. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		1.54
 9. Vladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia		2.54
10. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas			2.18

58 riders are still in the tour out of a total of 96 starters

Other Classifications

Meta Volantes:

 1. Gino Paolini 		34 points
 2. José Balaustre 		23 
 3. Michelle Mass		21 

Sprints:

 1. Arlex Méndez 		18 points
 2. Rafael Brand 		 8 
 3. Ramón Caballero		 7 

Mountains:

 1. César Salazar 		51 points
 2. Hernán Muñoz 		 49 
 3. Giovanni Vargas 		 44 

Consistency:

 1. Hussein Monsalve 		125 points
 2. César Goyeneche 		 98 
 3. Julio César Blanco 		 80

Stage 10 Report

Tachirans continue to dominate the Vuelta al Táchira en Bicicleta, which yesterday after the 10th stage which started in La Fría and finished in Colón. Alexis Méndez won the stage while his teammate, César Salazar remained the overall leader.

From the beginning of the stage, the locals who ride for the Lotería and Kino Táchira teams, took every precaution to defend Salazar's position. The first intermediate prize was located at 21kms and was won by Italian Gino Paolini, who leads in that competition. It didn't take long for Rafael Brand (Colombia) and Steve Clausse (Belgium) to get away, an escape that lasted some 70kms. In this way Brand took the first sprint prize at km51, while Clausse took the second intermediate prize at 100 kms.

In the peloton, the leader and his minders kept the order and didn't allow anybody else to join the break. This meant that the peloton was easily able to run down the attack. A short time after, Italian Nicola Castaldo attacked and reached a maximum advantage of about 2 minutes, which allowed him to take the second sprint prize at 124kms.

A real battle started in the peloton. Tachirans, Barinesans and Colombians tried numerous attacks, but each attempt by neutralized by a rival. Vladimir Forero, César Goyeneche and Giovanni Vargas were able to leave the group, with Tachiran Alexis Méndez tagging along, while his teammate Robinson Merchán, accelerated behind and organized the chase in defense of Salazar's lead. Then it would be Salazar himself who tried to open a gap only 3kms from the KOM sprint located at the 142.9 kms mark.

After going over the mountain, there were attempts by Colombians Alvaro Lozano, Hernán Muñoz and Barinesans Giovanni Vargas and Erwin Méndez, but they were answered by their main opponents. Castaldo would be the first one to reach the mountain prize, but his gap had been reduced dramatically by them and it didn't take long to reach him, with not much left before reaching the town of Colón.

After a lot more attempts, Alexis Méndez jumped from the group in the streets of Colón and was the first one to cross the finish line, escorted by Husseín Monsalve, who in that way cut into the time difference with the overall leader, remaining in third position, but getting closer to overall leader Salazar.

Stage 11, Rubio - Bramon, 156.4 kms:

 1. Omar Pumar (Ven) Lotería del Táchira             4.07.13 
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Kino-Táchira          	0.02 
 3. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.02 
 4. César Salazar (Ven) Kino-Táchira          		0.02 
 5. Julio Blanco (Ven) Elite Barinas 			0.02 
 6. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.02 
 7. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.02 
 8. Robinson Merchán (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.02 
 9. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.02 
10. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.02 

GC after Stage 11:

 1. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            42:12.23 
 2. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barinas          	0.07 
 3. Julio Blanco (Ven) Elite Barinas 			0.11 
 4. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		0.20 
 5. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.32 
 6. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		0.43 
 7. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.52 
 8. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		1.54 
 9. Vladimir Forero (Col) Kross Selle Italia		2.10 
10. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas			2.15

Other Classifications

Metas Volantes:

 1. Gino Paolini 		39 points
 2. Michelle Massa 		31
 3. José Balaustre 		23
 4. José Chacón 		15
 5. Ramón Caballero 		14

Sprints:

 1. Arlex Méndez 		24 points (Winner)
 2. Rafael Brand 		 8
 3. Nicola Castaldo 		 7
 4. Michelle Ferti 		 6
 5. Ramón Caballero 		 6

Mountains:

 1. César Salazar 		53 points
 2. Giovanni Vargas 		50
 3. Hernán Muñoz 		49
 4. César Goyeneche 		41
 5. Hussein Monsalve 		34

Consistency:

 1. Hussein Monsalve 		145 points (Winner)
 2. César Goyeneche 		114
 3. César Salazar		 89
 4. Carlos Maya			 84
 5. Alexis Méndez		 78

Stage 11 Report

Stage 11 was fought out on the roads of the state of Tachira and became dramatic and intense, when the rider from Barinas, Hussein Monsalve gave it all in an attack which aimed at reducing the overall gap between him and the GC leader, César Salazar. Local rider Omar Pumar won the stage.

With the display by Hussein Monsalve, who together with Manuel Guevara are an important part of the National Team, the setting has been set for the last exciting stage which will conclude at the J.J. Mora Velodrome. César Salazar's maintains a slim grip on the GC, due to the constant attacks by Monsalve and Colombians Hernán Muñoz and César Goyeneche.

Pumar was able to escape yesterday close to the finish line and covered the 156.4kms. of the stage between Rubio and Bramón, with a time of 4 hours, 7 minutes and 3 seconds, 2 seconds on the peloton. Monsalve, who has shown his evolution from a circuit rider to an above average climber crossed the finish line in second place. Monsalve secured the Regularity Prize and was able to cut 5 more seconds from the overall leader. César Goyeneche finished in third place and placed himself in fifth position in the overall, 32 seconds behind Salazar.

The other Colombian, Hernán Muñoz, still maintains his options open for an overall win after finishing in seventh place and placing fourth in the overall, just 20 seconds from the lead. The leaders maintained control of the stage during the first 146kms. From that point on and with 10kms. left to go, the group with all the general classification leaders decided to end the breakaway by Italians Michelle Massa and Gilberto Zattoni, who had started it at km. 10 with venezuelan Arlex Méndez, who also secured the Sprint competition.

From that moment on the stage was ruled by numerous attacks by Colombians Hernán Muñoz and Germán Ospina and Venezuelan Ariel Martínez, all of which were rapidly neutralized. Omar Pumar was able to leave the peloton in the last kilometer and opened a gap of about 20 meters, with the peloton almost catching him by the time he reached the finish line.

The last sage will cover 124.8kms, with three mountain prizes. The ascent will go from 820 meters at the start to 1,390 meters at Berlin, to finally descend to 1,000 meters where the finish is located.

Stage 12, San Cristóbal-San Cristóbal, 124.8 kms:

 1. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia	     3.30.54
 2. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino Táchira 
 3. Robinson Merchán (Ven) Loteria Táchira		1.01
 4. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            	4.35
 5. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 
 6. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Alc Barinas 			4.37
 7. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia 
 8. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas 
 9. Omar Pumar (Ven) Loteria Táchira 
10. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia         all s.t.

Final GC:

 1. Julio César Blanco (Ven) Kino Táchira	    45.43.23
 2. Alvaro Lozano (Col) Kross Selle Italia		0.42
 3. Robinson Merchán (Ven) Loteria Táchira		1.57
 4. César Salazar (Ven) Kino Táchira 	            	4.33
 5. Hussein Monsalve (Ven) Gob/Alc Barina          	4.42
 6. Hernán Muñoz (Col) Orgullo Paisa-Colombia 		4.55
 7. César Goyeneche (Col) Kross Selle Italia		5.05
 8. Carlos Maya (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		5.16
 9. Alexis Méndez (Ven) Lotería del Táchira 		6.29
10. Giovanni Vargas (Ven) Alc Barinas			6.53

Final Results in All Other Classifications

Metas Volantes:

 1. Gino Paolini 		35 points
 2. Michelle Massa 		31 
 3. José Chacón 		23 
 4. Ramón Caballero 		15 
 5. Michelle Ferti 		14 

Mountains:

 1. Giovanni Vargas 		58 points
 2. César Salazar 		54 
 3. Hernán Muñoz 		49 
 4. César Goyeneche 		47 
 5. Hussein Monsalve 		37 

Consistency:

 1. Hussein Monsalve 		155 points
 2. César Goyeneche 		123 
 3. Julio César Blanco 		112 
 4. César Salazar 		103 
 5. Alvaro Lozano 		 96

Stage 12 Report

Venezuelan Julio César Blanco won the 33rd Vuelta al Táchira en Bicicleta, which concluded on Thursday with a 124.8km stage around San Cristóbal. The stage was won by Colombian Alvaro Lozano with Blanco finishing in second place. Although Blanco (Kino Táchira) had started the day in the third place overall, at 11 seconds from the leader, his teammate César Salazar (Lotería del Táchira), he wasn't expected to be a factor in the race, more likely just to do his work as a domestique to help his teammate retain his leadership, which would have allowed Salazar to repeat his last year's effort as overall winner.

With the small differences in the GC going into the last day there was always the possibility of a change, especially as a consequence of attacks which were expected from the riders of the Barinas team (which had Husseín Monsalve at 7 seconds) and Colombians like Hernán Muñoz who was in fourth position at 20 seconds, while César Goyeneche was at 33.

The stage started at the Plaza Bolivar in the Tachiran capital and the first to attack would be from the 'Lottery' team led by Pastor Linares, who opened a 12 second difference. He was largely ignored by the peloton. Soon after though the decisive break occurred with Julio César Blanco and Aldrín Salamanca attacking with Colombian Cesar Goyeneche managing to go with them. The escape prospered and it looked like the plan of Osman Pulgar, director of the 'Lottery' Team, to prevent Husseín Monsalve, a known sprinter, from taking bonus seconds at the two sprints (3, 2 and 1 seconds respectively, for the first three) so that he wouldn't get close to Salazar.

Goyeneche took the first sprint, at 15.4kms, in Tariba, with Blanco and Salamanca taking the minor places. The peloton passed at more than one minute and Blanco was the leader on the road. There was an intermediate prize at 31.6km and the order over the line was - Salamanca, Blanco and Goyeneche. By the 37kms. the three had a gap of 2 minutes and 7 seconds on the peloton. They crossed the second sprint (53.2kms) in Capacho and Goyeneche was the first, with Salamanca starting to stay back, but with reinforcements arriving from the peloton to help Blanco, in the person of Henry Meneses.

The most difficult part of the stage began when they were getting close to the first of three mountain climbs, terrain that looked favorable for Colombian Goyeneche. The first mountain prize was at Los Cacaos (62.4kms) and was won by Meneses, followed by Blanco, Goyeneche and the peloton would pass 1 minute and 12 seconds later. During the descent a rider from Barinas, José Balaustre, fell while trying to avoid a hole and hit his head on the railing. He was taken to hospital.

Alvaro Lozano now added some tension of his own to the stage. He is known for his ability to climbing and descending abilities. He and Husseín Monsalve was able to reach the break. Another break from the peloton came as César Salazar, Omar Pumar, Robinson Merchán and Alexis Méndez attacked, trying to catch the top group. They caught them at the 87 kms mark, at the start of the second mountain Las Dantas. The order over the top was Lozano, Blanco, Merchán, Vargas, Pumar and Goyeneche. The last intermediate prize was at Rubio (95.7 km) and was taken by Goyeneche, followed by Lozano and Blanco, five kilometers later the gap of the breakaway would open into 2:53.