December 24, 2016 (Costa Rica) – Stage 8 of the Vuelta Banco Popular a Costa Rica took riders over a 126.83km route from Ins San Joes to San Isidro del General. The stage was won by Elias Vega (Crc) Nestle-Giant out of a seven-man breakaway. Race leader Cesar Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon- Specialized finished with the front group, maintaining his position on the GC.

Guatemala’s Alejandro Padilla of the Canadian Quebexico team finished 42nd at 36:15 behind the winner. Jean Michel Lachance (Quebexico) was the top Canadian in 44th with teammate and fellow Canuck Michel Jean finishing 52nd at 37:42 back.

The 145km ninth stage from Dominical to Golfito saw Canadians Lachance and Jean gain top-20 finishes. Lachance was 13th while Jean crossed the line in 19th. Both finished in the main pack, which arrived at the finish line at 3:04 behind stage winner Victor Garcia (Esp) Canel’s-Specialized who won a three-rider sprint to the line. Quebexico team rider Alejandro Padilla (Gua) finished shortly after his team mates in 48th.

Carlos Becerra (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo- Wilier won the 175km Stage 10 from Golfito to San Isidro del General edging out Efren Santos (Mex) Canel’s-Specialized. Jean was 35th and Lachance placed 49th. Costa Rican Rojas continues to lead the overall with 44s over his teammate and countryman Juan Carlos Rojas. Lachance and Jean are 43rd and 44th respectively on the GC.

Results

Stage 8 – Ins San Joes to San Isidro del General – 126.83km
1. Elias Vega (Crc) Nestle-Giant 3:26:09
2. Joseph Chavarria (Crc) Nestle-Giant
3. Roman Villalobos (Crc) Canel’s-Specialized
4. Juan Carlos Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized
5. Vladimir Fernandez (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT
6. Cesar Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized 0:02
7. Yewinson Varela (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized 0:04
8. Cesar Paredes (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo-Wilier 1:08
9. Brayan Salas (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT
10. Pablo Mudarra (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized 2:07

42. Alejandro Padilla (Gua) Quebexico 36:15
44. Jean-Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico 37:31
52. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico 37:42

Stage 9 – Dominical to Golfito – 145km
1. Victor Garcia (Esp) Canel’s-Specialized    3:18:26
2. William Muñoz (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo- Wilier
3. Josue Alpizar (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT
4. Eddier Godinez (Crc) Ciclo Pigo Perez-Ccdr Cartago-Lufese-Auto Partes    1:53
5. Jose Vega (Crc) Nestle-Giant    2:47
6. Jeffry Herrera (Crc) Ciclo Pigo Perez-Ccdr Cartago-Lufese-Auto Partes    3:04
7. Felix Nodarse (Cub) Seleccion Nacional de Cuba
8. Ivan Balikin (Rus) Seleccion Nacional de Russia
9. Roman Villalobos (Crc) Canel’s-Specialized
10. Carlos Brenes (Crc) Canet-Multiples Corella

13. Jean-Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico
19. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico

Stage 10 – Golfito to San Isidro del General – 175 km
1. Carlos Becerra (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo- Wilier    3:58:30
2. Efren Santos (Mex) Canel’s-Specialized
3. Roman Villalobos (Crc) Canel’s-Specialized    0:28
4. Cesar Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized
5. Vladimir Fernandez (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT    0:29
6. Juan Carlos Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized
7. Victor Garcia (Esp) Canel’s-Specialized    0:54
8. Joseph Chavarria (Crc) Nestle-Giant    2:24
9. Eduardo Corte (Mex) Canel’s-Specialized    3:04
10. Yewinson Varela (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon-Specialized    3:28

35. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico    14:08
49. Jean-Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico    20:35

GC after Stage 10

1. Cesar Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon- Specialized    36:00:33
2. Juan Carlos Rojas (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon- Specialized   0:44
3. Roman Villalobos (Crc) Canel’s-Specialized    5:18
4. Joseph Chavarria (Crc) Nestle-Giant    10:43
5. Yewinson Varela (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos-Arroz Halcon- Specialized    13:18
6. Victor Garcia (Esp) Canel’s-Specialized    14:57
7. Cesar Paredes (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo- Wilier    15:26
8. Vladimir Fernandez (Crc) Scott- Tele Uno- BCT    15:34
9. Brian Salas (Crc) Scott- Tele Uno- BCT    18:23
10. Jose Varela (Crc) Canet- Multiples Corella    20:25

43. Jean-Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico    2:08:04
44. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico    2:17:27