December 15, 2016 (Cañas, Costa Rica) – The 176km Stage 2 of the Vuelta Banco Popular A Costa Rice took place yesterday, with riders racing from Nicoya to Cañas in the Guanacaste Province. Jean Michel Lachance (Quebexico) was the top Canadian in 15th, 3:08 back from stage winner Efren Santos (Canel’s – Specialized). Fellow Canuck Jean Michel (Quebexico) as well as Guatemalan rider Alejandro Padilla (Quebexico) finished in the main pack in 42nd and 77th respectively. Fellow Canadian and teammate, Antoine Fabry, finished 86th at 14:31 down. Quebexico’s Adam Carr (USA) was reported to have finished Stage 1, but was not included in the results for Stage 2.

After Stage 2, Lachance now sits 15th on the General Classification, 6:30 behind race leader Daniel Jara (Equipo El Colono).

Stage 3 will see riders race the 193km from Cañas to Ciudad Quesada. This is the longest stage of the race, and with three categorized climbs there are sure to be more time gaps on the general classification after this leg.

Results (brief)

1. Efrén Santos (Mex) Canel’s Specialized 04:10:41
2. César Paredes (Col) Strongman-Campagnolo-Wilier
3. Jose Varela (Crc) Canet Múltiples Corella 0:06
4. Pablo Mudarra (Crc) Frijoles Los Tierniticos – Arroz Halcón-Spe 1:12
5. Jose Alfredo Aguirre (Mex) Canel’s Specialized
6. Ivan Balikin (Rus) Selecion Nacional de Rusia
7. Daniel Jara (Crc) Equipo El Colono
8. Yans Carlos Arias (Cub) Selecion Nacional de Cuba
9. Carlos Brenes (Crc) Canet Múltiples Corella
10. Kristopher Vega (Crc) Scott-Tele Uno-BCT

15. Jean Michel Lachance (Can) Quebexico 3:08
42. Michel Jean (Can) Quebexico 14:19
77. Alejandro Padilla (Gua) Quebexico
86. Antoine Fabry (Can) Quebexico 14:31