In a mountainous finish, the Colombian Cristian Yesid Bustos (Cerámicas Castelli-Asociación de Quetzaltenango) won the seventh stage of the Vuelta a Guatemala 2023. This Thursday’s route included a very difficult journey from La Esperanza to Esquipulas Palo Gordo, with 135 kilometers of route , which included four mountain awards.
The 23-year-old Beetle beat Costa Rican Kevin Rivera of 7C – Economy – Lacoinex by a difference of 4 seconds and Guatemalan Esdras Morales (Hino-One-La red-Suzuki) by 49 seconds.
Bustos, who crossed the finish line first after imposing his conditions as a climber, managing to raise his arms in Palo Gordo, gave his impressions to the accredited media.
“It was a very nice arrival, a stage that we really enjoyed with the team. We had been looking for it from the beginning and thank God it was given to us. I knew that the descent was very technical and finally on the last climb we managed to make more difference to be able to reach the finish line first,” said the Colombian.
“Things came together for us, we looked for it from start to finish, both with my partner Edwin Sam, finally I was trying and trying, I knew that the less people who arrived with me I could make a good finish, with 7 kilometers left I remembered that I had already descended for that same climb and I attacked, a little far to tell the truth, I managed to make differences and finally I was able to raise my arms as victorious,” said the winner of the day in Chapín territory.
“It was a beautiful victory that I want to dedicate to all the Colombian people. This Vuelta is very good for us Colombians, we have won on multiple occasions here and today we were given everything to win alone. There is still a race left and we are going to continue trying for the good of the team that has believed in me and my conditions,” the man born in Samacá, Boyacá concluded.
During the day, three flying goals were contested and the winner of the day was the Ecuadorian Bryan Rosero of the Ecuador National Team, adding 13 points. In the Mountain Awards, Guatemalan Esdras Morales (Hino-One-La red-Suzuki) stood out.
Regarding the general classification, the local Gerson Toc (Decoba-ASO Quetzaltenango) followed the command now escorted by the Ecuadorian Byron Guamá (Movistar Best PC). While the beetles Cristian Yesid Bustos (Cerámicas Castelli-ADD Xela) and Heiner Parra (Canel’s-ZeroUno) remained in the top 10.
This Friday the eighth stage of the Guatemalan round will be held, starting in Momostenango and ending in Pamezabal, on a 130-kilometer route, which includes two mountain prizes. The successor of local rider Mardoqueo Vásquez, champion of the last edition in 2022, will be known on November 26 at Finca El Zapote.
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico