In an exciting finish, David Díaz (Rally-Giant) won the first stage of the International Tour of Chiriquí 2024, after riding 198.1 kilometers in the city of David. While Bolívar Espinosa (Panama es Cultura y Valores) became the first leader of the race due to the bonuses.
In the end, the escapees controlled the race, defining everything to the packing in the last meters, in which the Panamanian rider took the victory ahead of his compatriots Bolívar Espinosa (Panama es Cultura y Valores) and Michael Caballero (Rally-Giant), who reported 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
“You should never give up and he who does not risk does not win,” said Diaz, who reached the finish line in 4 hours, 30 minutes and 50 seconds and won the overall individual jersey for the first time for him.
The best Colombian was Edison Osorio (Comercializadora Farmacia Birdman), who took 4th place, six seconds behind the winner, followed by his teammate Cristhian Montoya. The rest of the nationals arrived in the peloton more than 20 minutes behind.
The second stage will be disputed this Friday and contemplates a distance of 140.9 kilometers, between David, entrance of San Felix and return to finish in Las Lomas, with three intermediate goals and a mountain prize of third category. The start is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. from the Municipality of David.
Vuelta a Chiriquí (Panamá)
Stage 1| David -> Puerto Armuelles 198,1 km
| 1 | David Díaz | Rali-Giant | 4:30:50 |
| 2 | Bolívar Espinosa | Panamá es Cultura y Valores | 0:06 |
| 3 | Michael Caballero | Rali-Giant | 0:06 |
| 4 | Edison Osorio | Comercializadora Farmacia Birdman | 0:06 |
| 5 | Cristhian Montoya | Comercializadora Farmacia Birdman | 0:06 |
| 6 | Andrés Alpizar | Ciclo Cafe-Coffee Expert | 0:17 |
| 7 | Gerardo Reyes | Esparza Training | 4:19 |
| 8 | Vicente Sanabria | Rali Store Cuba | 4:19 |
| 9 | Kyvan Astua | Esparza Training | 15:08 |
| 10 | Bredio Ruiz | Panamá es Cultura y Valores | 20:00 |