The Ecuadorian Jonathan Caicedo, who rides for the Mexican team (Forte Petrolike – Androni Giocattoli) was crowned as the great champion of the Vuelta Bantrab in Guatemala after defending the lead in the last fraction.
The fifth stage of the Guatemalan round, finished in Quetzaltenango, was won by GW Erco Shimano with the Colombian Róbinson López, who was more than a minute ahead of his compatriot Wilmar Paredes (Team Medellín-EPM), in second position, after 122.8 kilometers.
From the beginning of the race, Lopez got into the breakaway of the day and helped by several of his compatriots along with the great work of the rest of the numerous escape managed to crown the demanding mountain of Santa Maria de Jesus and arrive with advantage to the last categorized port in Cantel.
As for the general classification, there were no major changes on the last day. Thus, the Ecuadorian Jonathan Caicedo (Forte Petrolike – Androni Giocattoli) became champion. The South American rider climbed to the top of the podium, accompanied by Colombians Daniel Méndez (Nu Colombia) and Javier Jamaica (Team Medellín EPM), who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
After five days of intense competition, Caicedo expressed his gratitude to his Petrolike team and to the organization of the Vuelta Bantrab 2024, saying: “I am very happy to have concluded this Vuelta Bantrab in the best way. I thank Bantrab for the invitation; it is a very beautiful tour. It has been two very demanding stages, and I must thank the team that has done an incredible job. Today, the team takes the credit; it is a victory for all my teammates and staff”.
The Ecuadorian cyclist said he leaves happy and with the hope of returning to compete in the Vuelta a Guatemala if he receives an invitation. Caicedo praised the level of the Guatemalan cyclists, especially their performance in the mountains and on the ramps.
“Yesterday I was very impressed by two riders who were very active in the attacks. I think there is a good level in Guatemala; it would be good to continue organizing races like this and the Vuelta a Guatemala,” he said.
Vuelta Bantrab (2.2)
Resultas Stage 5 | Ayutla – Quetzaltenango (122,8 km)
| 1 | Róbinson López | GW Erco Shimano | 3:31:44 |
| 2 | Wilmar Paredes | Team Medellín-EPM | 1:01 |
| 3 | Daniel Bonilla | Costa Rica | 1:09 |
| 4 | Rodrigo Contreras | Nu Colombia | ,, |
| 5 | Jonathan Caicedo | Forte Petrolike – Androni Giocattoli | ,, |
| 6 | Javier Jamaica | Team Medellín-EPM | ,, |
| 7 | Víctor Tuiz | Hino-One-La red-Suzuki | ,, |
| 8 | Mardoqueo Vásquez | Hino-One-La red-Suzuki | ,, |
| 9 | Alex Jualajuj | RedHook Guatemala | ,, |
| 10 | Cristian Bustos | Quetzaltenango – Cerámicas Castelli | ,, |