In another mountainous finish, Miguel Ángel ‘Supermán’ López (Team Medellín-EPM) emerged victorious this Wednesday in the fifth stage of the Vuelta a Colombia 2023, which was held over 165.5 kilometers between Dosquebradas and Belalcázar.
The Boyacá cyclist who went alone the last two kilometers of the race, was left with the victory ahead of Wilson Peña (Team Sistecredito) and Daniel Méndez (EPM-GO RIGO GO), 2nd and 3rd respectively.
The escape of the day was led by Juan Pablo Suárez (Petrolike), Jarlinson Pantano (EPM-GO RIGO GO), Aldemar Reyes (Team Medellín-EPM), Byron Guamá (Movistar Best PC), Heiner Parra (Canel’s Zerouno), Camilo Castiblanco ( Pío Rico-La Vega City Hall), Didier Merchan (GW Shimano-Sistecredito), Juan Pablo Vallejo (Supergiros), Juan Diego Hoyos (Team Corratec America), Oscar Quiroz (Colombia Potencia de la Vida-GW Shimano) and Walter Pedraza ( Team Fundecom-Calzado Goci-Multirepuestos Bosa), but before reaching the final ascent they were all neutralized by the peloton.
With 11 kilometers to go, Julián Cardona (Team Sistecrédito) attacked the pack jealously commanded by Team Medellín-EPM, which gradually lost units, due to the demanding pace imposed for the pursuit. Minutes later, Alexander Gil (EPM-GO RIGO GO) caught up with the escapee, who passed him by.
In the final section, the most demanding part of the climb, only six riders remained: the leader Miguel Ángel ‘Supermán’ López (Team Medellín-EPM), Robinson López (Aguardiente Néctar-W Cargo), Daniel Alejandro Méndez (EPM – GO RIGO GO), Wilson Peña (Team Sistecredito), Marco Tulio Suesca (Movistar – Best PC) and Aldemar Reyes (Team Medellín-EPM).
With two thousand meters to go, Supermán López left all his rivals behind to add a new victory to his record, the fifth so far in the Colombian round, for which he is close to a record of partial victories in this contest.
A new high end awaits the riders this Thursday in the sixth stage of the Colombian tour, a 164.8-kilometre leg-breaking day that will start in La Virginia and end in Apía, a second-class port.
Source: Revista Mundo Ciclístico