Chacón caps off BMC-Patobike's success with stage and overall victory in Vuelta a Colombia Femenina
Lilibeth Chacón has won the Tour of Colombia for women. The Venezuelan cyclist, riding for Team Patobike-BMC, took over the leader’s jersey from her BMC teammate in the penultimate stage and managed to hold on to it in the final time trial.
Chacón, 32 years old and already a two-time winner of the Vuelta a Colombia Femenina, including last year’s edition, won the fifth stage with an advantage of over two minutes on her competitors. This was a fortunate turn for Patobike-BMC, as the leader’s jersey simply changed shoulders—from Jessica Esther Galarza, who had won the first mountain stage in the race, to Chacón.
The climber was nervous before the last mountainous stage, particularly when she realized that her entire team would be supporting her in the fight for the stage win and the overall victory.
“I really wanted to win today, and without my team and sponsors, it would not have been possible. I worked hard to be in this shape here in Colombia, and it is fantastic that everything worked out so well,” the Venezuelan said after the podium ceremony atop the mountain.
In the final time trial (28 kilometers), the BMC ambassador was able to defend her lead in the general classification, although her advantage was reduced to just 21 seconds from an earlier margin of over two minutes.
Galarza dropped from third in the general classification to seventh place. Paris-competitor Marcela Prieto finished the Vuelta a Colombia in 12th place. With three riders in the top 12, the team racing on BMC bikes also won the team classification in Colombia.
Chacón also won the mountain jersey after her performances in the Vuelta a Colombia.
Photo: Anderson Bonilla
