36th Vuelta a Costa Rica - 2.5

Costa Rica, December 17-29, 2000

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Stage 3 - December 19: Cahuita - Guapiles, 137 km

Scholz takes over lead in solo style

The only German rider in the Vuelta a Costa Rica, Timo Scholz (Amnet Televisión) won today's 137 kilometre stage from Cahuita to Guapiles. The stage ended in a solo breakaway, where Scholz upstaged the usual favourites to beat the Mexicans Manuel Hernández and Miguel Meza by 34 seconds. In doing so, Scholz also captured the Amarillo jersey from Róbert Núñez (Té Frío Dos Pinos).

Vigilant in the front group for much of the day, Scholz attacked the bunch with 10 kilometres to go. The others were more concerned with watching and waiting for the sprint, and Scholz was given too much freedom.

Tomorrow's fourth stage is between Alajuela and Bagaces, including a 3rd category mountain climb (Alto de Santiago).

Results

1 Timo Scholz (CRc) Amnet Televisión         3.39.22
2 Manuel Hernández (Mex) México			0.34
3 Miguel Meza (Mex) México
4 Wendy Cruz (Dom) Adidas Pipasa 
5 Paulo Vargas (CRc) Pizza Hut A

General classification after stage 3:

1 Timo Scholz (CRc) Amnet Televisión	    10.57.52
2 Róbert Núñez (USA) Té Frío Dos Pinos		0.30
3 Víctor Herrera (Col) Dis. Kendal Accesorios	0.39 
4 Álvaro Lozano (Col) Café de Costa Rica A
5 Paulo Vargas (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	0.40 
6 José A. Bonilla (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	0.46 
7 Luis Morera (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	0.47 
8 Federico Ramírez (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A
9 Raúl Gómez (Col) Café de Costa Rica B		0.48 
10 Omar Pumar (Ven) Café de Costa Rica A	0.49 

Metas volantes

1 Wendy Cruz (Dom) Adidas Pipasa INS Globo    30 pts
2 Manuel Hernández (Mex) México               21
3 Róbert Núñez (USA) Té Frío Dos Pinos        11

Mountains

1 Federico Ramírez (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	5 pts
2 Paulo Vargas (CRc) Café de Costa Rica A	4
3 Álvaro Lozano (Col) Café de Costa Rica A	3

Teams

1 México 				    32.52.12
2 Café de Costa Rica Pizza Hut A
3 Café de Costa Rica Pizza Hut B		4.55