Belizean cyclist Derrick Chavarria says Tour of Chiriquí in Panama was demanding, more to come

Derrick Chavarria (right), who rides locally for G-Flow, competing in XLIII International Cycling Tour of Chiriquí in Panama with US Team Rio Grande – Photo Courtesy: Internacional VCH Chiriquí/ Panama Cycling Federation (FEPACI)

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belizean cyclist Derrick Chavarria, 20, loved the challenge presented by the XLIII International Cycling Tour of Chiriquí in Panama and is now looking forward to more tours.

Chavarria, who was riding his first international tour, had an outstanding performance in Panama tour riding for US Team Rio Grande finishing placed 6^th in Under 23 category final classification of the seven-stage race and placing 27^th in the final general classification

“To be able to have experienced what it’s like racing tours, I can say it’s much harder than it seems,” Chavarria wrote in a social media post on Thursday.

“To have the strength to wake up the next day after a hard day and race hard again felt like an eternity, but now that it’s over, it feels like time went by quickly.”

Chavarria said that one of his goals for 2024 was to compete in stage racing. So far, he is satisfied with his first performance.

“To say the least, it started off good. With the help of G-Flow Cycling Team and @teamriogrande, this trip was a successful one,” he said.

Derrick Chavarria (second from right) competing in XLIII International Cycling Tour of Chiriquí in Panama with US Team Rio Grande – Photo Credit: Internacional VCH Chiriquí/ Panama Cycling Federation (FEPACI)

The young cyclist who is studying in the United States at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina and who already has a number of international events under his belt, was appreciative of the support he has received.

“I appreciate the community that continues to cheer me on my journey,” he wrote.

“The relationships that were made and the conversations shared with the team and others are memorable. More tours to come, planned and unplanned. Let’s see where it goes!”

The Cycling Federation of Belize praised him for his performance.

“We congratulate Derrick on finishing the seven stages of this tour and are proud of his performance as he continues to work to improve his abilities and by participating in events like these will surely assist him to becoming the cyclist he’s hoping to become,” the Cycling Federation of Belize said.

“We are proud and happy for your Derrick. Keep doing your best!”

In the Under 23, Chavarria topped stages two and three, was second in the seventh stage, and fourth in the fifth

In the stages’ general classification, he was fifth in Stages 2 and 7 and eighth in Stage 3.

Derrick Chavarria riding for United States team Rio Grande in XLIII International Cycling Tour of Chiriquí in Panama – Photo Credit: Internacional VCH Chiriquí/ Panama Cycling Federation (FEPACI)

Overall, Chavarria completed 729.8 kilometres (456.1 miles) in the Tour of Chiriqui in 18 hours, 47 minutes, and 58 seconds (18:47:58). He trailed overall winner Franklin Archibald of team Panama es Cultura y Valores by 40:03. Archibald was timed at 18:07:55.

The first Under 23 rider was Brayan Quintero of Esparza Pergolas Isostar who clocked 18:17:10. Quintero was 12th overall.

Chavarria’s highest ranked Elite teammate, American Conor Schunk, finished eighth in 18:08:25.

The Tour of Chiriquí is an international seven-stage race which ran from Tuesday, January 8 to Sunday, January 14, 2024. The 456-mile race had a variety of challenges, such as a Team Time Trial, flat terrain, three mountain days, and two closed circuits.

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