The seventh stage of the Vuelta a Guatemala 2024 was spectacular, being in the hands of the Colombian climber Jhonatan Chaves, who got another incredible victory after an exciting battle of 131 kilometers, disputed between San Juan La Laguna and Chimaltenango.
The Nu Colombia rider was the fastest in the definition, beating Ecuador’s Brayan Obando (Movistar Best PC). Third was Robinson Lopez (GW Erco Shimano), who took over the lead.
Guatemalan Mardoqueo Vásquez (Hino-One-La red-Suzuki) reported 4th and moved up to second place in the general classification. Leader David Gonzalez (Team Medellin-EPM) lost more than five minutes, and dropped to third place on the podium.
From the start, a strong group escaped: Ecuadorian Brayan Obando (Movistar Best PC), Guatemalan Mardoqueo Vásquez (Hino-One-La red-Suzuki) and the beetles Jhonatan Chaves (Nu Colombia), Camilo Ardila (Nu Colombia) and Robinson López (GW Erco Shimano).
The five leaders joined forces and continued to work well together for much of the course. However, at the end, the Colombian Jhonatan Chaves and the Ecuadorian Brayan Obando (Movistar Best PC) escaped and played for the victory with a happy ending for the beetle. While David González (Medellín-EPM team) finally finished more than five minutes behind, making Róbinson López (GW Erco Shimano) the new leader.
The exciting Chapin round will continue this Friday with a 122-kilometer circuit in the Guatemalan capital. The successor of local rider Gerson Toc, last year’s champion, will be announced on Sunday, November 3 in the Old City.
Stage 7 | San Juan La Laguna – Chimaltenango (131 km)
| 1 | Jhonatan Chaves | Nu Colombia | 3:28:03 |
| 2 | Brayan Obando | Movistar-Best PC | m.t. |
| 3 | Robinson López | GW Erco Shimano | 0:34 |
| 4 | Mardoqueo Vásquez | Hino-One-La Red-Tigo-Suzuki | 0:34 |
| 5 | Andrés Camilo Ardila | Nu Colombia | 0:34 |
| 6 | Aldemar Reyes | Team Medellín-EPM | 5:16 |
| 7 | Julio Ispache | Decorabaños – AC Quetzaltenango | 5:16 |
| 8 | Gerson Toc | Decorabaños – AC Quetzaltenango | 5:16 |
| 9 | Nicolás Paredes | Hino-One-La Red-Tigo-Suzuki | 5:16 |
| 10 | Alexander Gil | Orgullo Paisa | 5:16 |
Ranking General
| 1 | Robinson López | GW Erco Shimano | 23:48:39 |
| 2 | Mardoqueo Vásquez | Hino-One-La Red-Tigo-Suzuki | 0:35 |
| 3 | David González | Team Medellín-EPM | 3:39 |
| 4 | Brayan Obando | Movistar-Best PC | 4:50 |
| 5 | Javier Jamaica | Team Medellín-EPM | 7:26 |
| 6 | Aldemar Reyes | Team Medellín-EPM | 7:34 |
| 7 | Alexander Gil | Orgullo Paisa | 9:20 |
| 8 | Nicolás Paredes | Hino-One-La Red-Tigo-Suzuki | 12:24 |
| 9 | Víctor Tuiz | Hino-One-La Red-Tigo-Suzuki | 15:35 |
| 10 | Gerson Toc | Decorabaños – AC Quetzaltenango | 18:45 |
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico