December 21, 2008 – Yasmani Martinez (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba won Stage 7 of the Vuelta a Costa Rica. The riders contested a 120km circuit race. Phil Cortes (Can) TourdeQuebec was the top Canadian finisher in 22nd place. Cortes hangs on to the Sprinter’s jersey, trailing first place by 3 points. Gregory Brenes (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut leads the GC, while Julien Fillion (Can) TourdeQuebec is the top Canuck overall in 34th.

Results (brief)

1. Yasmani Martinez (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba 2:51:00
2. Jonathan Carballo (CRc) IBP Pensiones 0:53
3. Jan C. Arias (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba 1:42
4. Eduardo Garita (CRc) Super Pro-Economy Rent a Car
5. Jose Aguirre (Mex) Canel’s Turbo-Mayordomo
6. Jose A. Bonilla (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut
7. Arnold Alcolea (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba
8. Marco Guillen (CRc) Dos Pinos-Coopenae
9. Mariano Herrera (CRc) IBP Pensiones
10. Gregory Brenes (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut

22. Phil Cortes (Can) TourdeQuebec
31. Pascal Bussieres (Can) TourdeQuebec
40. Julien Fillion (Can) Team TourdeQuebec
60. Jean Lachance (Can) Team TourdeQuebec 3:20
61. Vincent Veilleux (Can) Team TourdeQuebec

Sprint Classification after Stage 7
1. Adonis Cardoso (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba 26 points
2. Phil Cortes (Can) TourdeQuebec 23
3. Deivis Capellan (Dom) Dominican Republic National Team 14

GC after Stage 7
1. Gregory Brenes (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut 21:02:02
2. Arnold Alcolea (Cub) Mapache-Greatwall-Cuba 0:27
3. Federico Ramirez (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut 2:40
4. Marconi Duran (CRc) Dos Pinos-Coopenae 2:43
5. Jose Vega (CRc) IBP Pensiones 2:57
6. Jose A. Bonilla (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut 2:58
7. Nelson Sanchez (Dom) Dominican Republic National Team 3:43
8. Manuel Rodas (Gua) Guatemala National Team 4:15
9. Marco Salas (CRc) Dos Pinos-Coopenae 4:25
10. Cesar Rojas (CRc) Dos Pinos-Coopenae 4:31

34. Julien Fillion (Can) TourdeQuebec 16:41
40. Phil Cortes (Can) TourdeQuebec 25:22
41. Pascal Bussieres (Can) TourdeQuebec 25:30
44. Jean Lachance (Can) TourdeQuebec 29:55
66. Vincent Veilleux (Can) TourdeQuebec 1:52:52