Vuelta a Chiriqui

Panama, November 18 - 28, 1999

Stage 6 - November 24th

David-Ciudad Nelly (Costa Rica)-David 167.9 kms

Panamanians prevail

The 6th stage of the Vuelta a Chiriquí was won by Panamanian Edwin González, while his compatriot Caesar Pinto gained the yellow jersey of the race leader. The 171.4 kilometer stage came down to a sprint, where González narrowly prevailed over Dominican Edwin Hilario, Jairo Vega of Colombia and the Costa Ricans Pablo Araya and Rolando González.

This resulted in a big change in the GC, with the new leader Caesar Pinto (Pan) taking over from Arquimedes Lam who was some 20 minutes behind at the end. Pinto finished 1.38 down on the lead group in the stage.

Four of the points sprints were taken by Carlos Hernandez of Costa Rica, with the remaining three going to Edwin Hilario (Rep. Dom). The mountain primes were taken by stage winner González, and Colombian Jairo Vega.

Tomorrow's seventh stage was to be the longest of the tour, but was shortened to 149 kilometers due to road works. It runs from David to Frontera, Dolega, and back to David. There are a total of six points sprints on offer.

Results:

1. Edwin González (Pan)	Bireto Rally	   4.24.04
2. Edwin Hilario (Rep. Dom.)
3. Jairo Vega (Col)
4. Pablo Araya (C.R.) Pizza Hut
5. Rolando González (C.R.) Pizza Hut

General classification after stage 6: 

1. Caesar Pinto (Pan) Celebration Casino  19.56.39 
2. Alexis Caballero (Pan) Comercial Bugaba    0.08
3. Víctor Hugo Rustrian (Gua) 	    	      0.21
4. Jair Zuira (Pan) Rally Copa 		      0.35
5. Alexander Sanchez (Mex) 	    	      1.03

Team classification:

1. Panama (Coclé) 			  59.32.32 
2. Dominican republic		   	     16.33 
3. Panama (Celebration Casino)     	     21.09

Points:

1. Wendy Cruz (Rep. Dom) 			36 points
2. Alexander Sanchez (Mex)   			21 
3. Saúl Bethancourt (Pan) Comercial Bugaba	18