Vuelta a Colombia, Cat 2.4

Colombia, April 20-May 3, 1997

Prologue
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Stage 7
Stage 8
Stage 9
Stage 10
Stage 11
Stage 12
Stage 13 and Final GC

Preview and Prologue Report

The biggest race of Colombia's UCI season got underway with a 7.6 kilometer prologue through the streets of the "city of parks", sunny and pleasant Bucaramanga. The podium was swept by the Telecom-Capitel-Kelme team as Jose Castelblanco led his teammates to a surprisingly large lead over the rest of the star-studded field. The prologue favored the stronger climbers as it involved a significant ascent up onto the plateau of Bucaramanga.

This year's Vuelta will not have as much climbing as previous editions have had. With about 75 percent of the 2000 plus kilometers on flats or descents, the race is geared towards the best overall rider, a roulleur with good climbing skills. Not that the climbing that will be appear won't be impressive. The climb to Chiflas, which cost Duban Ramirez this year's RCN Classic title, will be crossed in the first stage of the Vuelta on Tuesday. Also ahead are the climbs to Manizalez, Minas, Santa Elena and the Alto de La Tribuna, all hair-raising climbs that have put visiting Euro-pros 20 to 30 minutes down in the field. And, the awesome and horrible climb to La Linea will also be on this year's schedule.

Among the favorites, it is impossible to leave out the Classic RCN's winner, Raul Montana of the miniscle and underpowered Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's team. A strong roulleur with good descending skills, his only weakness is the occasinoal collapse on tough mountain stages. But if there was ever a Vuelta built to his skills, this one is it.

Also with a strong option is Julio Cesar Aguirre, coming off a win in the warm-up stage race to the Vuelta. He picked up a lot during his time racing in Europe and is a consumate pro at the top of his form.

Among the boys from Antioquia, a number stand out including speedster Duban Ramirez of Orgullo Paisa, running in this Vuelta as Aguardiente Antioqueno-Loteria de Medellin. Also to be watched for are Juan Diego Ramirez of Telecom and Hector Ivan Palacio. From Boyaca, the allways ready to surprise and last year's RCN winner, Israel Ochoa of Todos por Boyaca.

And, despite a clear indication that he sees the Vuelta as nothing more than a warmup to his European season with the Spanish club Kelme, Hernan Buenahora continues his comeback from a broken leg and early season flu.

But the terrain and the structure of this Vuelta may well promise a lot of surprises. Last year's winner, Miguel Sanabria of Todos por Boyaca, took the title by escaping from the peloton and there are a passle of riders among Colombia's elite 200 who could and would love to do the same.

Prologue in Bucamaranga, 7.6 km:

  1. Jose Castelblanco, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme    14.28
  2. Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme      + 0.14
  3. Elder Herrera, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       + 0.23
  4. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca              + 0.26
  5. Hernan Dario Munoz, Aguardiente Antioq     + 0.28
  6. Javier Zapata, Aguardiente Antioq          + 0.30
  7. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costablanca        + 0.31
  8. Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's      + 0.38
  9. Libardo Nino, Gaseosas Glacial             + 0.40
 10. Santiago Botero, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme     + 0.40
 11. Juan Diego Ramirez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme    0.42
 12. Marcos Hurtado, Aguardiente Antioqueno       0.44
 13. Alvaro Sierra, Todos por Boyaca              0.45
 14. Henry Cardenas, Gaseosas Glacial             0.49
 15. Jairo Hernandez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       0.50


Tuesday's stage will be the always evil descent off
the Bucaramanga plateau and then the mean climb over
the Chiflas pass and on into the town of Barichara,
a distance of 148.7 kilometers.

Stage 1, Bucamaranga-Barichara:

  1. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       3.49.18
  2. Angel Yesid Camargo, Glacial
  3. Federico Muqoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  4. Carlos Alberto Contreras, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme  + 0.22
  5. Josi Castelblanco, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  6. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca-Loterma de Boyaca.
  7. Razl Montaqa, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's.
  8. Jairo Hernandez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  9. Luis Espinosa, Petrsleo de Colombia.
 10. Hernan Darmo Muqoz, Loterma de Medellmn         all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco,                               4.03.50
  2. Federico Muqoz                                    + 0.06
  3. Elder Herrera, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme              + 0.23
  4. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca-Loterma de Boyaca   + 0.26
  5. Hernan Darmo Muqoz                                + 0.28
  6. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costablanca               + 0.31
  7. Razl Montaqa                                      + 0.36
  8. Luis Espinosa                                     + 0.36
  9. Libardo Niqo, Glacial                             + 0.39
 10. Santiago Botero Telecom-Capitel-Kelme             + 0.40
 11. Hector Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme          0.41
 12. Juan Diego Ramirez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme           s.t.

Sprints: Alvaro Lozano, San Andresitos de la 38
KOM: Julio Rangel, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's
Points: Hector Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
Teams: Telecom-Capitel-Kelme

Stage 1 Report

The Telecom-Kelme juggernaut made itself felt once again as it manhandled several of its major opponents on the climb over Chiflas and finally propelling Hector Ivan Palacio to victory in the first stage of Latin America's major stage road race, the Vuelta a Colombia.

In a break from the past, the prologue and firsts stage of this year's edition of the Vuelta have played a major selection role. Not only were the time differences in the prologue, a 7.6 kilometer climbing timetrial, larger than expected, but only 22 riders finished in the lead pack after the climb to Chiflas, the hairy descent, and then the climb back up over the Alto de Los Curos. In the latter climb two of the pre-race favorites, Antioquian Duban Ramirez (Aguardiente Antioqueno) and Israel Ochoa (Todos por Boyaca), fell off the pace and were quickly relegated dropping more than 14 minutes on the lead pack which hammered up the slopes knowing that two major figures were being left behind.

The early selection has altered the list of favorites. Raul Montana of Caprecom rode well, and remains a strong candidate for the rolling terrain that lies ahead. Despite rumors of being sick, Kelme's Santiago Botero, back from his strong performance in Chile, has already moved into 10th place. And stage 1 winner Hector Palacio has shown steady progress after holding the yellow jersey in the 1995 Clasico RCN, then finishing second to Sanabria in last year's Vuelta and again in this year's Clasico RCN. As for the boys from Antioquia and Boyaca, they will now have to rely on secondary team leaders like Hernan Dario Munoz or Jair Bernal.

In sum, an interesting and explosive start to this year's Vuelta. Today's stage will run 197 kilometers to Barbosa, a hilly stage with many short steep rolling climbs.

Stage 2, Barichara-Barbosa, 197 kms:

 1. Israel Ochoa, Todos por Boyaca        5h00m30s
 2. Santiago Botero, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme   at 1s
 3. Elder Herrera, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       38s
 4. Angel Yesid Camargo, Gaseosas Glacia l      st
 5. Gregorio Ladino, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's  
 6. Libardo Nino, Gaseosas Glacial             48s
 7. Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       st
 8. Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's
 9. Hector Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
10. Jose Castelblanco, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme

Overall:

 1. Santiago Botero, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme    	     9.04.55
 2. Jose Castelblanco, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme    	0.13
 3. Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme          	0.19
 4. Elder Herrera, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme           	0.22
 5. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                  	0.39
 6. Hernan Munoz, Aguardiente Antioqueno           	0.41
 7. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costablanca            	0.44
 8. Angel Yesid Camargo, Gaseosas Glacial          	0.46
 9. Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's          	0.48
10. Luis Espinosa, Petroleo de Colombia            	0.49
11. Hector Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme          	0.54
12. Juan Diego Ramirez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme      	s.t.

Sprints: Hugo Bolivar, Petroleo de Colombia
KOM: Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's
Points: Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
Team: Telecom-Capitel-Kelme

Stage 2 Report

Israel Ochoa (Todos por Boyaca) won the second stage of the Vuelta a Colombia while young phenom Santiago Botero (Kelme] took the overall lead after the pair escaped with twelve kilomters to go on a cold, wet, and windy ride through the "paramo" of the central Colombian Andes. Ochoa, who had swept to victory in last year's Clasico RCN after escaping the peloton, was closely marked by Botero, acting under orders of his team coach. Tucked behind his wheel, offering no help to the man who was gradually moving the yellow jersey off the back of his Telecom- Kelme teammate Jose Castelblanco, Botero drafted off the hard-driving Ochoa. When it was clear that the jersey had passed to him and that the break would succeed, Botero and Ochoa divvied up the honors, agreeing that the stage would go to Ochoa and the jersey to Botero. Despite a last gasp effort to bridge up by Angel Camargo (Gaseosas Glacial) and Gregorio Ladino (Caprecom) with marking by Telecom's Elder Herrera, the grouplet finished 38 seconds down and the main peloton hammered across the finish line in picturesque Duitama 10 seconds after that. For Ochoa the successful escape and stage win had to be a balm for his terrible performance in stage 1 which saw him lose all hope of winning the Vuelta after coming in 14 minutes down on the leader.

The new leader, Santiago Botero, is one of Colombia's new generation of "corpulentos", strong full-bodied riders who excel on flats as well as climbs. An excellent timetrialler (he won the prologue of the Vuelta a Chile over the best of Festina and also took a huge win in Cundinamarca over Duban Ramirez), 24- year old Botero only moved recently to roadracing after some very strong results in mountainbiking. He still holds the national record in individual pursuit (4:36:25) and was the silver medallist at Copa del Mundo in Quito. He finished 5th and 6th in the Vuelta a Chile in 96 and 97 and figured in the Vuelta a Portugal with Kelme last year. Still riding for Kelme, he is being prepared for the spring and summer season in Europe along with Hernan Buenahora.

The stage also brought some other news. The entire Orgullo Paisa contingent (Aguardiente Antioqueno), still suffering from the disastrous results of Duban Ramirez in Stage 1, came down with food poisoning and splattered the roads of the Colombian altiplano with the remnants of the traitorous dinner. "We think they ate bad pasta last night", said coach Roberto Sanchez. Meanwhile Alvaro Mejia, riding for Petroleos de Colombia, expressed his pleasant surprise in finishing only five minutes down after being dropped on the big climb in stage 1. His progress back to form is moving along well. Finally, several of the teams have been gently campaigning for Telecom to reduce the very high speeds they've maintained at the head of the peloton in the first two stages. Given the cold rain, the harsh climbs, and the sharp bitter headwinds faced by the peloton since the Vuelta began, the near 40kph average seems excessive, even to riders who have been routinely averaging 43-45kph average times.

Stage 3 will be another harsh day in the cold and rain of the Colombian highlands, from Tunja to Zipaquira. While there is one stiff and long climb to Alto de Sisga, the race will finish on a long flat along the llano of the highlands sabana.

Stage 3, Tunja-Zipaquira, 138 km:

  1. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costa Blanca             3.05.12
  2. Carlos A. Contreras, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme        + 1.24
  3. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial                     s.t.
  4. Razl Gsmez, Petrsleos de Colombia                 + 1.27
  5. Federico Muqoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  6. Libardo Niqo, Gaseosas Glacial
  7. Santiago Botero, Telecom-Antioquia.
  8. Alvaro Lozano, Su Bono del Ciclismo
  9. German Ospina, Loterma de Medellmn
 10. Juan D. Rammrez, Telecom-Antioquia             all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costa Blanca           12.10.37
  2. Santiago Botero, Telecom-Antioquia               + 0.57
  3. Josi Castelblanco, Telecom-Boyaca                + 1.10
  4. Federico Muqoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme            + 1.16
  5. Elder Herrera, Telecom-Antioquia                 + 1.17
  6. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                    + 1.36
  7. Hernan Darmo Muqoz, Loterma de Medellmn          + 1.38
  8. Angel Y. Camargo, Glacial                        + 1.43
  9. Libardo Niqo, Glacial                            + 1.44
 10. Razl Montaqa, Caprecom                           + 1.45
 11. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       + 1.51
 12. Juan D. Rammrez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme           + 1.51

KOM: Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's
Sprint: Hugo Bolivar, Petroleo de Colombia
Combined: Jose Castelblanco, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
Points: Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
Teams: Telecom-Capitel-Kelme

Stage 3 Report

Kelme's pick to lead their Giro de Italia team, Colombian Hernan Buenahora surprised on a cruel cold and wet day to take the lead in the 47th running of the Vuelta a Colombia. Buenahora, who was expected to leave the Vuelta before its end so as to finalize his training for the Giro in Spain and Italy, escaped with 50 kilometers to go and put on a display of mastery of pain and the elements that had Colombia's hard to impress racers shaking their heads in awe. That man is "un berraco" said dethroned leader, Telecom's Santiago Botero. Now Kelme, and its second in command coach, the Spanish climbing phenom Vicente Belda, must decide whether to allow Buenahora to stay through the end of the Vuelta to defend the jersey. Buenahora, who is in Colombia with fellow national "Chepe" Gonzalez and Spaniards Juan de Los Angeles, Francisco Benitez, Daniel Rivera, Javier Pascual and Severo Rodriguez, wants to finish out the Vuelta. But, as he himself notes, "There are less than two weeks between the finish of the Vuelta and the start of the Giro (May 14) and Chepe tried to do both last year and lost his legs. The Giro is the main goal of our team this year and I must put it first." Belda, who has been fascinated with Colombia since the days he measured strengths humping hills against Patrocinio Jimenez and "El Condorito" Corredro, was equally reticent about the chances that Buenahora would stay in the Vuelta.

The stage began with attacks from the very first kilometer. Telecom-Capitel-Kelme and the Spanish Kelme-Costablanca team moved to the front and pushed the pace to near 55kph, stringing the pack out and neutralizing attacks. A fine rain mixed with sleet fell on the peloton, causing a deep and almost nauseating cold. As the riders swept into the small villages of the Colombian highlands, rivulets of water swept around their tires. By the time the peloton began the ascent to the Alto del Sisga, the faces and bodies of the riders were caked with fine mud. The push over the top was especially hard as the 11,000 foot pass intensified the cold and sleet. But with the pass behind them, Telecom and Kelme refused to let up the pace, pushing the peloton to maintain a near 50kph average. It was at this point that Belda ordered "Chepe" Gonzalez to attempt an escape but the boys of Antioquia and Boyaca took over the front of the pack and reeled him in. Telecom again moved to the front stringing the pack out in a long line of nearly 200 elite cyclists. And then it was Buenahora's turn. Blasting off the front of the peloton his teammates imperceptibly slowed opening a gap and he was off. Job accomplished, the Telecom's slipped off the front letting their enemies try to catch Buenahora. But the cold and the wet and the high pace had taken their toll and the masterful Buenahora held an average of over 46kph for the day as he crossed the line, an astounding feat given the weather and the climbing earlier in the day.

This has been one of the fastest and most brutal Vueltas ever. The top 200 Colombian cyclists are better than ever, posting times that rival and even exceed those of their counterparts in Europe. Could the time be coming for a new invasion of Europe? One led, not by the small and timid cyclists of old, but the new "corpulentos", the all-arounders who have begun to emerge and push their compatriots to new extremes?

As for now, Kelme has a problem, even if a delicious one. They have a leader who shouldn't have become one. And who might have to give up the jersey. Do they give it up or not? Should they chose to do so, the list of people eager to take it up is long indeed with rolleur and TT phenom Santiago Botero first in line. But for Buenahora, his fourth stage win in a Vuelta a Colombia and his first time in yellow. But however much it means to him, the "magglia rosa" is his goal and the yellow of his homeland will have to take second place. Scheduled to race in the Vuelta a la Rioja in Spain as a final tuneup, his coaches have a tough decision to make.

Today's stage continues the tribulations of the Vuelta peloton. After yesterday's harsh weather and extremely fast pace, the ride from Funza to Ibague (195.2K)will involve the delirious and suicidal plunge off the highlands into the sea-level Magdalena River valley via the Alto de Mondonedo. Three fast descender will have their eyes on the price including Glacial's Libardo Nino, Petroleo's Raul Gomez, and Ciclistas de Cristo's Julio Bernal. And, obviously enough, the spaniards from Kelme-Costablanca have expressed their wish to stake out and win this stage. But all are aware of the the even greater trial that comes on Saturday: the precipitous climb to La Linea, one of the harshest ascents in professional cycling.

Stage 4, Funza-Ibagui, 195 km:

  1. Juan Diego Rammrez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       4.53.19
  2. Libardo Niqo, Gaseosas Glacial
  3. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Telecom                  both s.t.
  4. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom Antioquia           + 0.05
  5. Carlos Contreras, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  6. Gregorio Ladino, Caprecom
  7. Angel Yesid Camargo, Gaseosas Glacial
  8. Federico Muqoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
  9. Santiago Botero, Telecom Antioquia
 10. Israel Ochoa, Todos por Boyaca                all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Hernan Buenahora, Kelme-Costa Blanca          17.04.01
  2. Santiago Botero, Orgullo Paisa                  + 0.57
  3. Josi Castelblanco, Todos por Boyaca             + 1.10
  4. Federico Muqoz, Telecom                         + 1.14
  5. Elder Herrera, Telecom Antioquia                + 1.17
  6. Libardo Niqo, Gaseosas Glacial                  + 1.33
  7. Juan Diego Rammrez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme       + 1.36
  8. Jamr Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                   + 1.36
  9. Hernan Darmo Muqoz, Loterma de Medellmn         + 1.39
 10. Angel Yesid Camargo, Gaseosas Glacial           + 1.43

Teams: Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
Sprints: Hugo Bolivar, Petroleo de Colombia
Points: Federico Munoz, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme
KOM: Raul Montana, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's

Stage 4 Report

It was Kelme's day at the 47th Vuelta de Colombia. Spaniard Javier Pascual escaped on the descent from Alto de Mondonedo with Todos por Jesucristo's Juan Fonseca. After dropping Fonseca the Belda student stayed out alone for 160 kilometers before sucumbing to the peloton as the riders neared Ibague. As the peloton streamed through the mud and the rain, rooster tails in their wake, German Ospina took a stab at escaping but was reeled in. Telecom-Kelme's Juan Diego Ramirez then beat Glacial's Libardo "El Loco" Nino to the line, sealing a great day for Kelme.

As the Vuelta settles in, two major issues loomed on the horizon. First, would Buenahora leave the race to ride in the Vuelta a la Rioja in Spain or would he stay and defend his jersey. The strongest evidence points to the fact that he'll be leaving after the brutal La Linea stage on Saturday and flying Sunday to Spain. If so, the Vuelta will have a new leader. Second, the 185 kilometer stage from Ibague to Sevilla will run through the awesome and horrific Alto de La Linea. A climb of nearly 3300 meters will finish with a wild and suicidal descent down the curving and windy roads down the slopes of the central cordillera and into the plains of the old Cauca. The descent is nearly as steep as the climb and should it be raining, the combination of potholes, truck grease, and the fear of trucks who might have slipped onto the course will make this one of the tensest stages of the year.

According to old Europro Henry Cardenas, the descent from La Linea is by far more dangerous than any similar one he raced in Europe. With speeds nearing 120kph riders will be slowing to handle their fears and the on-course hazards. "The only rider in Colombia who doesn't fear this descent is Libardo Nino who grew up climbing and flying down it. And he's nuts." Nino, an 8-year pro with European experience under his belt is famed for his wild descents. In the Worlds in '95 he blew past the entire pack on the descent, only to be caught by Indurain and the elite on the climb. Radio motorcyclists clocked him at over 120kph on that windy descent, a mad dash that had even Indurain shaking his head. Will it rain tomorrow? If so, then all bets are off. But if not, look for Nino to put his stamp on stage 5 of the Vuelta and avenge his pip at the line today.

Stage 5, Ibagui-Alto de La Lmnea-Sevilla, 185 km:

  1. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial               5.15.15
  2. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                    s.t
  3. Josi Castelblanco, Kelme-Telecom               + 0.02
  4. Josi Luis Vanegas, Caprecom-Zapatos Kio'os     + 1.23
  5. Celio R. Roncancio, San Andresitos 38          + 1.38
  6. Juan Diego Rammrez, Kelme-Telecom              + 1.56
  7. Alvaro Sierra, Todos por Boyaca
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Kelme-Telecom
  9. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Kelme-Telecom
 10. Carlos Contreras, Kelme-Telecom              all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco, Kelme-Telecom             22.20.14
  2. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                  + 0.22
  3. Juan Diego Rammrez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme      + 2.24
  4. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial                + 2.29
  5. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom Antioquia         + 2.40
  6. Razl Montana, Caprecom                         + 2.41
  7. Carlos Contreras, Kelme-Telecom                + 2.46
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Kelme-Telecom             + 3.12
  9. Miguel Sababria, Todos por Boyaca              + 3.14
 10. Celio R. Roncancio, Sanandresito 38            + 3.30

Stage 5, Ibagui-Alto de La Lmnea-Sevilla, 185 km:

  1. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial               5.15.15
  2. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                    s.t
  3. Josi Castelblanco, Kelme-Telecom               + 0.02
  4. Josi Luis Vanegas, Caprecom-Zapatos Kio'os     + 1.23
  5. Celio R. Roncancio, San Andresitos 38          + 1.38
  6. Juan Diego Rammrez, Kelme-Telecom              + 1.56
  7. Alvaro Sierra, Todos por Boyaca
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Kelme-Telecom
  9. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Kelme-Telecom
 10. Carlos Contreras, Kelme-Telecom              all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco, Kelme-Telecom             22.20.14
  2. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                  + 0.22
  3. Juan Diego Rammrez, Telecom-Capitel-Kelme      + 2.24
  4. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial                + 2.29
  5. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom Antioquia         + 2.40
  6. Razl Montana, Caprecom                         + 2.41
  7. Carlos Contreras, Kelme-Telecom                + 2.46
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Kelme-Telecom             + 3.12
  9. Miguel Sababria, Todos por Boyaca              + 3.14
 10. Celio R. Roncancio, Sanandresito 38            + 3.30

Stage 6, Circuit in Cali, 100 km:

 1. Julio Bernal, Ciclistas de Jesucristo        2.18.30
 2. Humberto Hernandez, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's     s.t.
 3. Razl Montaqa, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's         + 0.09
 4. Federico Muqoz, Telecom-Internet-Kelme          s.t.
 5. Vmctor Hugo Peqa, Telecom-Internet-Kelme        s.t.
 6. Heder Gutiér
 7. Nelson Rodríguez
 8. Miguel Sanabria
 9. Jairo Pérez
10. Jorge León Otalvaro

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco, Telecom-Internet-Kelme   24.39.03
  2. Jair Bernal, Todos por Boyaca                 + 0.22
  3. Elkin Barrera, Gaseosas Glacial               + 1.25
  4. Juan Diego Ramlrez, Telecom-Internet-Kelme    + 2.24
  5. Hictor Ivan Palacio, Telecom-Internet-Kelme   + 2.36
  6. Razl Montaqa, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's         + 2.37
  7. Alvaro Sierra, Todos por Boyaca               + 2.42
  8. Carlos Contreras, Telecom-Internet-Kelme      + 2.46
  9. Julio Cisar Aguirre, Telecom-Internet-Kelme   + 3.02
 10. Josi Luis Vanegas, Caprecom-Zapatos Kioo's    + 3.04

Stage 7, Palmira-Pereira, 200,4 km:

  1. Freddy Alonso Moncada (Caprecom)            4.45.12
  2. Jamr Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)                 s.t.
  3. Francisco Orozco (Ideam)                     + 0.02
  4. Carlos Contreras (Kelme-Telecom)             + 0.15
  5. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)
  6. Federico Muqoz (Telecom)
  7. Francisco Benmtez (Kelme-Costablanca).
  8. Jose Flsber Peqa (Petrsleo de Colombia)
  9. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)
 10. Gregorio Ladino (Caprecom)                 all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Kelme-Telecom)          29.24.30
  2. Jamr Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)               + 0.22
  3. Elkin Barrera (Gaseosas Glacial)             + 1.25
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Kelme-Telecom)           + 2.24
  5. Hictor Ivan Palacios (Kelme-Telecom)         + 2.36
  6. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                      + 2.37
  7. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)             + 2.42
  8. Carlos Contreras (Kelme-Telecom)             + 2.46
  9. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Kelme-Telecom)          + 3.02
 10. Josi Luis Vanegas (Caprecom)                 + 3.04.

Stage 8, Santa Rosa de Cabal-Manizales (ITT), 37 km:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)             59.20
  2. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)          + 0.28
  3. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)             + 0.28
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)           + 1.00
  5. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                       + 1.28
  6. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)               + 1.36
  7. Elder Herrera (Telecom-Kelme)                + 2.03
  8. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)        + 2.04
  9. Miguel Sanabria (Todos por Boyaca)           + 2.05
 10. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Kelme-Telecom)          + 2.08

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)          30.23.47
  2. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)               + 2.01
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacios (Telecom-Kelme)         + 3.05
  4. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)             + 3.16
  5. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)           + 3.27
  6. Elkin Barrera (Glacial)                      + 4.31
  7. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)             + 5.02
  8. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                       + 5.04
  9. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                      + 5.08
 10. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)          + 5.13

Stage 9, Manizales-Itagum,184 km

  1. Hernan Darmo Muqoz (Orgullo Paisa)          4.45.32
  2. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)          + 0.08
  3. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)
  4. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme) 
  5. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)
  6. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca) 
  7. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme) 
  9. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)
 10. Julio Cisar Rangel (Caprecom)             all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)          35.09.27
  2. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)               + 1.59
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacios (Telecom-Kelme)         + 2.59
  4. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)             + 3.17
  5. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)           + 3.25
  6. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)             + 5.02
  7. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                      + 5.04
  8. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                       + 5.04
  9. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)          + 5.13
 10. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)        + 7.24

Stage 10, Circuit in Medellin, 85,5 km:

  1. Julio Cisar Rangel (Caprecom)              2.32.17
  2. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)          + 0.53
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)         + 1.03
  4. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)            + 1.05
  5. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca) 
  6. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)        both s.t.
  7. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                     + 1.26
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)         + 1.27
  9. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)              s.t.
 10. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                      + 2.54

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)        37.42.49
  2. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)             + 1.59
  3. Hector Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)        + 2.52
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)         + 3.05
  5. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)           + 3.17
  6. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)           + 5.24
  7. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                    + 5.25
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)        + 5.35
  9. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                     + 8.18
  10. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)     + 8.21

Stage 11, Rionegro-Puerto Salgar, 198 km:

  1. Daniel Bernal (Petrsleos de Colombia)          5.02.00
  2. Misael Orozco (Oriente antioqueqo) 
  3. Celio Roncancio (Sanandresito de la 38) 
  4. Luis Fernando Bonilla (Oriente Antioqueqo)    all s.t.
  5. Francisco Benmtez (Spa-Kelme-Costablanca)       + 2.32
  6. Flober Peqa (Petrsleos de Colombia)
  7. Vmctor Hugo Peqa (Telecom-Kelme) .
  8. Jairo Pirez (Todos por Boyaca)
  9. Josi Robles (Cicloases)
 10. Juan Carlos Fonseca (Ciclistas de Jesucristo) all s.t.

Overall after Stage 11:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)            37.42.49
  2. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)                 + 1.59
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)            + 2.52
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-Kelme)             + 3.05
  5. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)               + 3.17
  6. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)               + 5.24
  7. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                        + 5.25
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)            + 5.35
  9. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                         + 8.18
 10. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)          + 8.21

Stage 12, La Dorada-Fontibon, 179,5 km:

  
  1. Gregorio Ladino (Caprecom)                  5.23.53
  2. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                      + 0.04
  3. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)
  4. Miguel Sanabria (Todos por Boyaca)
  5. Francisco Benmtez (Spa-Kelme-Costablanca)
  6. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme) 
  7. Diego Garavito (Petroleos de Colombia).
  8. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)
  9. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)
 10. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)       all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Josi Castelblanco (Telecom-Kelme)         48.11.18
  2. Jair Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)              + 1.59
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Telecom-Kelme)         + 2.52
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Telecom-kelme)          + 3.03
  5. Carlos Contreras (Telecom-Kelme)            + 3.17
  6. Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)                     + 5.16
  7. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)            + 5.23
  8. Julio Cisar Aguirre (Telecom-Kelme)         + 5.35
  9. Libardo Niqo (Glacial)                      + 8.15
 10. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresito de la 38)       + 8.21

Stage 13, Circuit in Bogota, 108 km:

  1. Leonardo Cardona (Loterma de Medellmn)    2.03.15
  2. Vmctor Hugo Pena (Kelme-Telecom)           + 0.01
  3. Federico Munoz (Kelme-Telecom).
  4. Razl Montana (Caprecom)
  5. Daniel Bernal (Petrsleo de Colombia)
  6. Francisco Benmtez (Spain-Kelme-Costablanca)
  7. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)
  8. Hector Ivan Palacio (Kelme-Telecom)
  9. Josa Robles (Cicloases).
 10. Flober Pena (Petrsleo de Colombia)       all s.t.

Final overall:

  1. Josi Joaquin Castelblanco (Kelme-Telecom) 50.14.34
  2. Jamr Humberto Bernal (Todos por Boyaca)     + 1.59
  3. Hictor Ivan Palacio (Kelme-Telecom)         + 2.52
  4. Juan Diego Rammrez (Kelme-Telecom)          + 3.03
  5. Carlos Alberto Contreras (Kelme-Telecom)    + 3.17
  6. Raul Montana (Caprecom)                     + 5.16
  7. Alvaro Sierra (Todos por Boyaca)            + 5.23
  8. Julio Cesar Aguirre (Kelme-Telecom)         + 5.35
  9. Libardo Nino (Glacial)                      + 8.11
 10. Alvaro Lozano (Sanandresitos de la 38)      + 8.21
 11. Gregorio Ladino (Caprecom)                  + 9.20.

 Other classifications

 Best climber: Juan Diego Rammrez (Kelme-Telecom)
 Points: Hictor Ivan.Palacio (Kelme-Telecom)
 Teams: Kelme-Telecom
 Combinada: Razl Montaqa (Caprecom)