Robinson Chalapud representing Medellín, Colombia won the first leg of the 40th National Independence Cycling Tour that started on Monday, 25 February. Some of the best cyclists from the Caribbean, Central America and South America are participating. The level of international competitors was so high that the best Dominican racer, Nelson Israel Sánchez (Aero Cycling Team) placed seventh.
The seven-day stage race is part of the America Tour 2019 (UCI class 2.2) and allows cyclists to earn points towards qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympc Games.
The 120 km first stage covered level terrain from San Cristóbal to Baní and up to the mountains in San José de Ocoa. 25 teams, including 15 from abroad, around 150 cyclists total are competing in the important Caribbean cycling competition that began on Monday, 25 February and ends on Sunday, 3 March 2019. This is the most important Dominican cycling competition.
The president of the Dominican Olympic Committee Luis Mejía, Sports Minister Danilo Díaz and Jorge Blas Díaz, president of the Dominican Cycling Federation were present for the start of the leg.
On Tuesday, the teams will cover the second stage from the city government headquarters in Centro de los Héroes, Santo Domingo east passing Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, San Pedro de Macorís and reaching La Romana for an overall distance of 150 km.
Read more in Spanish:
Dominican Olympic Committee
Listin Diario
https://elnacional.com.do/vuelta-de-ciclismo-inicia-su-40a-version/
https://www.diariolibre.com/deportes/ciclismo/extranjeros-se-aduenan-de-la-primera-etapa-de-la-vuelta-EK12182745
26 February 2019