The Costa Rica News (TCRN) – Costa Rican cyclist, Ronald Araya, won the first stage of the 50th International Tour of Costa Rica with a time of 3 hours, 22 minutes and 52 seconds.
Araya, who competed for the first time, managed to kill it in the last three kilometers to the finish. The opening stage of the Costa Rica tour was 155 miles between San José and Limón.
The starting signal was given at 9:25 local time (15:25 GMT) and included a total of 96 cyclists from Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Panama and Russia.
Defending champion and winner in both 2005 and 2010 was Costa Rican Juan Carlos Rojas, and he is one of the favorites to dominate in the race overall.
The second stage tomorrow will go from Limón through the town of Siquirres and continue to Pococí for a total of 135 kilometers.
The Tour of Costa Rica, which ends on December 25, has 14 registered teams and 11 stages in all (one less than last year). (EFE)
The Costa Rica News (TCRN)
San Jose, Costa Rica
