Venezuela tackles the moutainous course and flat timetrial. 8 teams host 16 riders.
Becherovka-Kiwibank
Simply Red Bull
Volkswagen-Mapei
Jose Rujano
Jose Alarcon
Yonathan Monsalve
Mobil-Aeropostal Ciclismo
FBC-Polska
Bonsucro
Juan Mora
Jorge Abreu
Jonathan Camargo
Maky Roman
Pedro Sequera
Yeison Delgado
Xavier Nieves
Grupo Nutresa
Mobil-Aeropostal Ciclismo
Richard Ochoa Quintero
Paul Torres
Roniel Campos
Eduin Becerra
Wilmer Vasquez
Felix Emilio Besada
Obviously the big favorites are ProTour stars Jose Rujano and Jose Alarcon, however the collective might of Mobil-Aeropostal could be too much to handle.
Mobil kick off the action as Becarra (73MO) attacks first! But the split Mobil teams clearly have a rivalry and he is pulled back swiftly.
6km in and see another attack. Abreu (FCB 68MO) leads the way followed by Roman (MAC 75MO), Camargo (BON 75MO) and Torres (MAC 76MO). The quintet goes away and the peloton seems to have no more interests in todays race....
That is until Ochoa Qunitero (GNU 77MO) attacks from the peloton! He launcheds over the summit but the gap is 14'32 to the breakaway. Surely it's too far but Ochoa Quintero sets to his task with a determined look.
Going up the penltimate climb the two big favorites make a move. Rujano heads Alarcon as they fly away from the peloton. Though this move must be too late as Quintero is 11'58 ahead of them, and they are over 20minutes down on the breakaway.
4.5km to go and Torres attacks his breakaway companions. The win will come from these four but none of the others seem to have the power to match Torres. The move blows up Abreu who must settle for 4th.
Paul Torres claims victory for Mobil-Aeropostal! Camargo almost came back to him for 2nd. Roman settles for 3rd with a teammate up ahead. Abreu relaxes for 4th place. Quintero gets a special mention. Not only did he finish but he cut the gap down to 8'24 which is a huge effort!
Road Title/ Paul Torres (Mobil-Aeropostal Ciclismo)
Venezuela isn't known for its time trialists... Becarra (70TT), Monsalve (70TT) and Rujano (71TT) are the favorites but almost anyone could take this with a good day.
Roman (67TT) was the 1st man on the road today. There's a favorable wind behind him as his Intermediate check times look good!
Alarcon (66TT) is 12th to start and next of the outsiders to win. He passes the half-way check and confirms our thoughts on Roman. Alarcon has dropped '39 to the Mobil rider!
Sequera (69TT) goes next but at the half way check he's '15 down on Roman. Abreu (69TT) passes the same check and he is also down, this time by '18! The ride of Roman is holding strong as we turn to the bigger favorites.
Becarra (70TT) comes through the mid-way point... +9!
Monsalve (70TT) and Rujano (71TT) come through the halfway point as well. They are down by '12 and '4 respectively. Rujano is pushing hard but to be down to Roman is a huge concern at this point.
Roman sets the benchmark at 1'12'40 crossing the line. The time holds strong as Sequera can only go provisional 2nd! Abreu even goes provisional 3rd! Could we be on the verge of a huge upset....
Becarra comes to the finish... 1'12'32! He knocks Roman off the top spot by just 8 seconds, far too close for comfort i'm sure. Now he holds his breath as Monsalve comes to the line.... 1'12'35... Monsalve won't be winning today!
Jose Rujano powers hard to the line and it's.... it's.... 1'12'17! The Becherovka rider clearly saved some energy for the second half of the race to take the title!
Timetrial Title/ Jose Rujano (Becherovka-Kiwibank)
Venezuela tackles the moutainous course and flat timetrial. 8 teams host 16 riders.
