Vuelta a Táchira

Venuzuela, January 15-26, 2000

Stage 12 - January 26: Peribeca - El Piñal - San Cristóbal, 126.4 km

Finish nearly a disaster for Vásquez

23 year old Venuzuelan cyclist, Noel Vásquez, of the Tachira Club Lottery team, has won the 35th Vuelta a Tachira. However, it was not without incident as he crashed during the final sprint in the velodrome of Jose de Jesus Moor in San Cristóbal, with just 400m to go.

The crash was caused by am over-enthusiastic fan who ran on to the track, causing Vásquez to collide with Caesar Salazar. However, both recovered and Vásquez finished the stage in 14th position, but was granted the same time as the winner.

The winner of the stage was compatriot Carlos Maya, who also finished second in the overall general classification. After the race, Vásquez was full of emotion: "I thought I had lost the title when I crashed, but I soon learned that I had won after they did not penalise me. I dedicate my triumph to my mother Carmen Mendoza de Vásquez and to all those that believed in me," he said to EFE.

This is the 17th time that the Vuelta has been won by a Venuzuelan, and the fourth consecutive time in a row. The next most successful country is Colombia, with 15 victories.

Results

   
1 Carlos Maya (Ven)                   2.58.23
2 Omar Pumar (Ven)            
3 Aldrin Salamanca (Ven)      
4 Alvaro Lozano (Col)         
5 Robinson Merchán (Ven)      
6 José Chacón (Ven)          
7 Franklin Chacón (Ven)      
8 Vladimir Forero (Col)     
9 Jaime Pinzón (Col)        
10 Nelson Gelvez (Ven)           

Final general classification:

1 Noel Vásquez (Ven)                44.24.33
2 Carlos Maya (Ven)                     0.49
3 Omar Pumar (Ven)                      2.01
4 Aldrin Salamanca (Ven)                2.26
5 José Chacón (Ven)                     2.30
6 Robinson Merchán (Ven)                2.40
7 Alvaro Lozano (Col)                   3.00
8 César Salazar (Ven)                   3.42
9 Franklin Chacón (Ven)                 3.48
10 Hernán Muñoz (Col)                   4.10

Metas Volantes:

1 Florencio Ramos (Mex)         	24 pts
2 Leonardo Sánchez (Venzuela)   	23
3 José Robles (Ven)             	16

Sprints:

1 Jamir Sidarta (Mex)           	20 pts
2 Florencio Ramos (Mex)         	15
3 Robinson Merchán (Ven)        	12

Mountains:

1 Carlos Maya (Ven)             	57 pts
2 Noel Vásquez (Ven)            	40
3 Aldrin Salamanca (Ven)        	38