Source: La Ruta
Manuel Prado, Heinz Soerweg from Austria and Marc Trayter from Spain initiated a rapid ascent toward Costa Rica’s Central Valley during the first stage of La Ruta de los Conquistadores yesterday, breaking apart what had been a five-man lead group. Left behind was retired road racer and three-time Vuelta a España winner Roberto Heras of Spain, who later said he was suffering from a stomach bug.
Prado, who lives in California and races for the Sho-Air team, narrowly won the stage over Soerweg. It was Prado’s first La Ruta stage win and he dedicated the victory to his brother, who passed away three years ago.