December 16, 2016 (Ciudad Quesada, Costa Rica) – Stage 3 of the Vuelta Banco Popular a Costa Rica saw riders contest a 193km route from Cañas to Ciudad Quesada. Race winner Cesar Rojas (Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe) crossed the line solo with a time of 5:13:46 and a 55-second advantage over a chase group of four.

Top Canadian on the day was Michel Jean (Quebexico), crossing the line at 9:30 behind Rojas. Guatemalan Alejandro Padilla also with Quebexico finished 56th at 15:24 back while Quebexico team leader, Jean Michel Lachance, finishing up in 64th at 15:40 back. Teammate and fellow Canuck Antoine Fabry did not complete the stage.

Jean was second on two intermediate sprints during Stage 3, and now sits 6th in the competition at 13 points behind leader Jose Vega (Nestle-Giant). In the General Classification, Lachance remains the top Canadian in 29th at 17:01 back from race leader Daniel Jara (Equipo El Colono). Next up is Stage 4 that will take the peloton from Quesada and Guapiles over a 115km route.

Results (brief)

1. Cesar Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe 5:13.46
2. Román Villalobos (Crc) Canel’s Specialized 0:55
3. Joseph Chavarria (Crc) Nestlé Giant
4. Yewinson Varela (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe
5. Juan Carlos Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe
6. Gregory Brenes (Crc) Equipo El Colono 1:05
7. Victor Garcia (Esp) Canel’s Specialized 1:08
8. Daniel Bonilla (Crc) Nestlé Giant
9. Pablo Mudarra (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe 2:42
10. Brayan Salas (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT 3:21

44. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico 9:30
56. Alejandro Padilla (Gua) Quebexico 15:24
64. Jean Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico 15:40
DNF Antoine Fabry (Can) Quebexico