36th Vuelta a Costa Rica - 2.5

Costa Rica, December 17-29, 2000

Main Page    Previous stage

Stage 12 - December 29: Pérez Zeledón - San José, 142 km

And the winner is...Ramirez

The 36th edition of the Vuelta a Costa Rica finished in a home victory at last, as Federico Ramírez, riding for the Cafe de Costa Rica A team, completed the final stage in the same time as his teammate and second overall, Alvaro Lozano (Col). It is the first time since 1996 that a Costa Rican has won the tour, and at the end there were only 4 seconds separating first from second.

However it was unlikely that Lozano, who previously led the race, would try to take the win from his teammate in the final stage, as the crowds knew who they wanted. He could be content with second overall as the team finished 1, 2 as well as gaining the mountains (Ramirez) and team prizes.

The only real threat during the race came from last year's winner, Miguel Arroyo of Mexico. However, he suffered on the climb to Fila de Cal and lost too much time, and the pair of Cafe de Costa Rica riders were left well in the lead.

Today's final stage from Pérez Zeledón to San José was won by Colombian Jair Bernal (Dist Kendal Accesorios) who led compatriot Alexis Rojas (Chicles Canel’s Turbo México) home with a 2.21 advantage on the main field. In third place was Arroyo, who salvaged some late glory.

The day belonged to Ramirez though, and he was guarded by Lozano throughout the stage. The latter sustained a puncture during the stage but was safely able to make his way back to the peloton to cross triumphantly with Ramirez.

Results

1 Jair Bernal (Col) Dist Kendal Accesorios	     4.10.17
2 Alexis Rojas (Col) Chicles Canel’s Turbo México
3 Miguel Arroyo (Mex) Chicles Canel’s Turbo México	2.21
4 Israel Ochoa (Col) Adidas-Pipasa-INS-Globo		2.24
5 Uberlino Meza (Col) Dis Kendal Accesorios

Final general classification

1 Federico Ramírez (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	     41.32.45
2 Álvaro Lozano (Col) Café de Costa Rica A		 0.04
3 Miguel Arroyo (Mex) Chicles Canel’s Turbo		 7.14
4 Israel Ochoa (Col) Adidas-Pipasa-INS-Globo		12.16
5 Julio Bernal (Col) Té Frío Dos Pinos			12.51
6 Alexis Rojas (Col) Chicles Canel’s Turbo		13.23
7 Uberlino Meza (Col) Dist Kendal Accesorios		14.21
8 Jair Bernal (Col) Dist Kendal Accesorios		14.45
9 Pablo Araya (CRc) Adidas-Pipasa-INS-Globo		22.44
10 Luis Morera (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A		23.22

Metas volantes

1 Wendy Cruz (Dom) Adidas-Pipasa-INS-Globo		52 pts
2 Róbert Núñez (USA) Té Frío Dos Pinos			18
3 Raúl Saavedra (Col) Dist Kendal Accesorios		16

Special sprints

1 Róbert Núñez (USA) Té Frío Dos Pinos
2 Paulo Vargas (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A
3 Álvaro Lozano (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A

Mountains

1 Federico Ramírez (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A		78 pts
2 Jair Bernal (Col) Dist Kendal Accesorios		75
3 Israel Ochoa (Colombia Adidas Pipasa INS Globo	53

Teams

1 Café de Costa Rica A			    124.50.42
2 Dist Kendal (Col) 				32.31
3 Adidas Pipasa INS Globo Jaisa A		37.39