Belizean cyclist Derrick Chavarria wins U23 category in 3rd stage of Tour of Chiriquí in Panama; places 8th in general classification

Photo Courtesy: Derrick Chavarria

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Belizean cyclist Derrick Chavarria won the U23 category in 3^rd stage of the XLIII International Cycling Tour of Chiriquí (Vuelta Ciclista Internacional a Chiriquí) in Panama riding for US Team Rio Grande. This was Chavarria second consecutive win in the U23 category after Monday’s fifth place finish.

Chavarria placed eighth in the general classification. On Monday he was 23^rd and on Tuesday he finished fifth.

The 20-year-old Belize cyclist clocked three hours, 27 minutes, and 15 seconds (3:27:15), ahead of 12 other U23 riders who had the same time.

Stage 3 was a 146.1-km (60.375 mile) race from the Chiriquí Mall in the City of David to Progresso, Circunvalación San Pablo, Los Anastacios, and back to David finishing at the Parque de las Madres. The race started at 10:00 am (9:00 am Belize Time).

Chavarria was 28 seconds behind his teammate Conor Schunk who was the overall stage winner. He was fifth in the 46-man strong peloton that rode in behind the three leaders.

His U23 teammate Shay Wright finished 19^th and was 7:49 behind. Wright was 60^th in the general classification, 8:17 behind Schunk.

Rio Grande’s Conor Schunk crosses finish line in Stage 3 of Tour of Chiriquí in Panama

In the general classification, his Rio Grande teammates recorded the following finishes: Conor Schunk (1^st – 3:26:47), Isaac Kovack (40^th – 3:27:15), Torin Kray-Mawhorr (59^th – 3:35:04), Wright (60^th – 3:35:04), and Billy Taylor (63^rd – 3:35:12).

After Stage 3, Chavarria moved from fifth to fourth in the U23 with a total time of 6:11:22, 1:05 behind leader Fabio Gámez of 7C Economy Lacoinex who has a time of 6:10:17. Wright is 14^th with 6:19:11.

In the general classification, Chavarria has moved up to 21^st from the 23^rd rank he maintained over the first two stages. He is 1:34 behind new overall leader Sandi Guerra of  Panamá es Cultura y Valores who has a time of 6:09:48. Despite his better positioning, Chavarria has dropped 30 seconds as he was 1:02 behind the overall leader on Tuesday.

His teammate Schunk moved up from 24^th to tenth with his stage win. Kovack is 33^rd, Wright is 49^th, Kray-Mahorr is 62^nd, and Taylor is 70^th.

From a field of 80 riders, the general classification is now only reporting 72 riders. The U23 field has fallen by one from 26 to 25.

In the points classification, Chavarria gained three points and is now ninth. Elite rider Víctor Jaén leads with 25.

Rio Grande has now moved up to third in the 12-team competition with a total time of 18:00:40, 58 seconds behind the leading team, Panamá es Cultura y Valores.

Stage 4 on Thursday will be a 99-km (61.875 mile) race from the Chiriquí all in the City of David to Solano, Cuesta de Piedra, Santa Rita, Potrerillos, and back to David finishing at the Parque de las Madres.

The Tour of Chiriquí is an international seven-stage race which runs from Tuesday, January 8 to Sunday, January 14, 2024. The cyclists will cover 729.8 kilometres (456.1 miles), with a variety of challenges, such as a Team Time Trial, a flat terrain, three mountain days, and two closed circuits.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.

© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.