The cyclist Franklin Archibold, of the Panama is Culture and Values team, was the great protagonist today, Wednesday, in the second stage of the XIX edition of the Tour of Panama, capturing the leadership of the individual general classification after his triumph at the top of Marica, a third category mountain prize, in the province of Cocle.
There were 110 kilometers in this second stage of the Tour de Panama 2024, starting in the town of El Coco and arriving at the slope of Marica. Archibold registered a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes and 43 seconds, beating in the final uphill sprint the Costa Ricans Daniel Bonilla (Colono Bikestation Kolbi) and the former leader Gabriel Rojas (7C Economy), who entered with the same time.
On this day, the so-called “sterrato” or uncovered zone was presented, where Archibold was one of the main animators. In addition, he added five points in the classification of sprints by winning the first of two, sharing this amount of units with the “tico” Josué Salas (Accipal-Rali de Costa Rica).
At that point of the race, at 28.7 kilometers, the chiricano already became the transitory leader of this international race.
Archibold also won the mountain sections, with five points, and the points classification, with 15, in this cycling event that continues to generate a positive impact on the country’s economy and boost tourism.
“The last kilometer was key for this stage victory and to get the overall lead. We know that there are still some intense rides ahead, like the climb to Cerro Marta this Thursday. The team will continue working as it should until the end,” said Franklin Archibold at the end of the stage.
In the general classification, Archibold accumulates 3 hours and 1 second after two stages. His escorts are Gabriel Rojas, seven seconds behind, and Daniel Bonilla, 12 seconds behind. Then come Josué González (7C Economy of Costa Rica), 15 seconds behind; Bolívar Espinosa (Panama is Culture and Values), 17 seconds behind; and Christofer Jurado (Panama is Culture and Values), 27 seconds behind.
This Thursday the third stage will be run, again in the province of Cocle, with a distance of 76 kilometers. This stage is considered the “queen” of the Tour 2024. The start will be in Penonomé and sectors such as Churuquita, Toabré, La Pintada, El Picacho and via El Copé will be covered, culminating in Cerro Marta with a second category mountain prize, in addition to two intermediate sprints.
Source: FEPACI