Elizabeth Castaño of Colombia Potencia de la Vida secured victory in the opening stage of the Vuelta a Colombia Femenina today, navigating a rain-soaked 101.9-kilometre route around Cartagena. The 22-year-old cyclist crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 25 seconds, triumphing in a tightly contested sprint finish.
Starting from the iconic Cartagena letters in the city centre, the peloton embarked on a route that took them through the districts of Marbella, Arroyo de Piedra, and Loma de Arena, before circling back to the original point of departure. The flat terrain, combined with challenging weather, made for a gripping race conclusion, as Castaño outpaced her closest rivals, Diana Peñuela and Italy’s Valentina Basilico, who took second and third places respectively.
Castaño, reflecting on her win, highlighted the significance of the victory, especially after not having won a race since her success at the GP Internacional de Ciclismo de Santa Catarina Feminina in Brazil ten months ago. “It’s been a long wait for a win, so this feels really special. The conditions were tough, but I’m proud of how the team supported me today,” she said.
The stage wasn’t without drama, as slippery roads caused several riders to crash in the closing kilometres. Among the riders affected was Ana Cristina Sanabria, also of Colombia Potencia de la Vida, who managed to complete the stage despite the difficulties. Meanwhile, the defending champion, Venezuela’s Lilibeth Chacón, finished in 11th place, maintaining the same time as the stage winner but missing out on a top-10 finish.
The race’s second stage will take place tomorrow, 21st August, with the riders tackling a 127.5-kilometre journey from Cartagena to Barranquilla. The route will pass through Loma de Arena and Puerto Colombia, with the stage set to conclude along the scenic Malecón in Barranquilla, promising another exciting day of racing.
2024 Vuelta a Colombia Femenina Stage 1 result
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
