As expected, it was Euskaltel-Euskadi that played the leading role in the Gran Prix Chiriquí, a one-day race 1.2 of 170 kilometers with start in David and finish in Las Lomas. Presenting itself at the start with the clear intention of placing as many men as possible in the noble positions of the final standings, the Basque team did not disappoint, securing victory with Xabier Berasategi, second place behind him with Xabier Isasa, fourth place with Hodei Munoz and tenth with Gotzon Martin.

THE RACE

Originally scheduled for yesterday and postponed to today due to the seismic situation and events that occurred in recent days in Panama (which experienced a strong 7.7 magnitude earthquake at the beginning of the month, after which numerous aftershocks have continued to occur), the Central American classic was decided in the second half of the race when, under the impetus of Euskaltel-Euskadi's men, a group of fifteen riders broke away at the front of the race.

Remaining eleven around twenty kilometers from the finish, Gari Ugarte launched the first decisive attack, exploiting to the maximum the numerical superiority of the Basque riders in the leading group (skilled at playing a blocking role in the circumstance), remaining at the front of the race for a long time before being caught by his breakaway companions.

At this point, the riders in orange jerseys began to extend their efforts in turn in an attempt to further select the contenders for victory, an action that brought ten athletes in total to contest the win in a sprint where, making the most of his speed on the slightly uphill final straight, Berasategi preceded his teammate Isasa and Costa Rican Gabriel Rojas (ManzaTé La Selva No Varix) with Valerio Conti (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) who, as the only Italian present in the leading group, finished in 7th place.

Thanks to the other top-ten finishes achieved by Munoz (4th) and Martin (10th), Euskaltel thus pocketed a total of 93 points which, added to the 2723.2 they had before this race, pushed their annual total to 2816.2, temporarily moving the team led by Iñaki Isasi to 28th position ahead of MBH Bank (2815), Picnic PostNL (2780) and Bardiani CSF 7 Saber (31st with 2664.1 points two days before the end of the season).

FINAL ORDER

1. Xabier Berasategi (Euskaltel - Euskadi) 4:02:26

2. Xabier Isasa (Euskaltel - Euskadi) s.t.

3. Gabriel Francisco Rojas (Manza Té La Selva No Varix) s.t.

4. Hodei Munoz (Euskaltel - Euskadi) s.t.

5. Jeferson Armando Ruiz (Colombia) s.t.

6. Derrick Chavarria (Belize) s.t.

7. Valerio Conti (Solution Tech NIPPO Rali) s.t.

8. Bolivar Espinosa (Senafront) s.t.

9. Daniel Arroyave (Colombia) +0:05

10. Gotzon Martín (Euskaltel - Euskadi) +0:06

Photo credit: Fepaci