40th Clásico RCN - 2.4

Colombia, August 11-20, 2000

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Stage 6 - August 17: Pereira-Ibagué, 126 km

Orbitel 05 dominates climb to La Línea but Aguirre loses jersey

By Haroldo Camacho

The climb to La Línea is a 30 kilometre hors category climb, from 1500 metres to 3240 (5220 feet). Those who have done this climb speak of it with mythical qualities, their eyes opening wider as they recall the relentless suffering. More than one Vuelta a Colombia and a Clásico RCN has taken a turn on its foggy top, as it did today...

Juan Diego Ramírez (Orbitel-05) followed team mate Jairo Hernández who led 90% of the way up the climb. However, near the top Ramírez went ahead to complete it in 1 hour 18 minutes. Another Orbitel-05 rider, Héctor Manuel Castaño followed Ramírez and Alvaro Sierra (Lotería Boyacá) dug deep staying a close third.

Ramírez waited for the two and they formed a trio on the descent and were joined by Alvaro Lozano who daredeviled after them. Julio César Aguirre, overall leader, using the same desperate descending techniques joined the quartet 25 kms from the finish line.

At the end it was Hernández who led most of the way to the finish, who, along with team mate Elder Herrera on his wheel also managed to catch the daredevils. Hernández led over the finish line in 3.41.40 while Aguirre moved to second place on the G.C. but at only 21 seconds. Raúl Mesa, technical director for Orbitel 05, promotes the intra-team competition to bring out the best in Sunday's time trial and last stage of the Clásico RCN.

There was bad news though for former leader and winner of the Vuelta Colombia, Iván Palacio: he lost too much time on the climb to La Línea and has dropped out of the race.

Results

1 Jairo Hernández (Col) 05-Orbitel 		     3.41.40
2 Elder Herrera (Col) 05-Orbitel			0.28
3 Juan Ramírez (Col) 05-Orbitel
4 Alvaro Lozzano (Col) Aguardiente Cristal Chec		2.44
5 Julio Aguire (Col) 05-Orbitel
6 Alvaro Sierra (Col) Lotería de Boyacá	
7 Héctor Castaño (Col) 05-Orbitel
8 Israel Ochoa (Col) Ag.  Néctar Café Aguila Roja	2.52
9 Gregorio Ladino (Col) Aguardiente Cristal Chec 
10 Javier Zapata (Col) 05-Orbitel

General classification after stage 6:

1 Juan Ramírez (Col) 05-Orbitel			    27.34.14
2 Julio Aguirre (Col) 05-Orbitel			0.21
3 Alvaro Lozano (Col) Aguardiente Cristal Chec		0.30
4 Héctor Castaño (Col) 05-Orbitel			0.54
5 Alvaro Sierra (Col) Lotería de Boyacá			1.02