The queen stage of the Tour de Panama 2024 brought important changes in the individual general classification, with Costa Rican Gabriel Rojas Campos, of the 7C Economy team, regaining the leader’s jersey after three days of competition.
Rojas Campos, who was the first leader of this international event, dominated the 76-kilometer route between Penonomé, La Pintada and Cerro Marta, with a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 2 seconds. He was escorted by his teammate, Luis Aguilar, who crossed the finish line with the same time.
The third position of this third stage, sponsored by Senafront, went to Joseph Ramirez, also from Costa Rica, of the ACCIPAL-RALI Costa Rica team, who arrived at the finish line 34 seconds later. In addition, Gabriel Rojas Campos took over the lead in the mountains by accumulating 17 points.
“We felt good and decided to launch a block attack. The team was up to the task and, thanks to God, things worked out to achieve the victory and the overall and the U-23 leaderships with my teammate Luis Aguilar,” said Rojas after the stage.
In the general classification, Gabriel Rojas accumulated a total time of 5 hours and 7 minutes. He is followed by Luis Aguilar, 36 seconds behind, and Joseph Ramírez, 1 minute and 55 seconds behind.
Josué González (7C Economy) is at 2 minutes and 59 seconds, Sergio Arias (Colono Bikestation Kolbi) at 3 minutes and 35 seconds, while Franklin Archibold (Panama es Cultura y Valores) is sixth, at 5 minutes and 15 seconds.
The fourth stage will cover 123 kilometers in the province of Colón, starting in the Free Zone. It will go to Rio Indio and will culminate at the Atlantic Bridge, where the last mountain prize of this XIX edition will be disputed.
The Tour of Panama has been characterized by its tour through different regions of the country, contributing to the economy and promoting tourism, in addition to presenting a high competitive level.
The Panamanian Cycling Federation, presided by Vicente Carretero, is grateful for the support of the people of Panama and its authorities for having welcomed so warmly these first three days of competition. Now the peloton moves to the Caribbean coast, where the next two days will be held on Friday and Saturday, concluding on Sunday at the Cinta Coste.
Source: FEPACI