The final and 14th stage of this years Vuelta a Colombia was won by Arthur
García (Loteria del Táchira). Overall leader Giovanni Báez (UNE) had to work hard to defend his overall lead. During
the fianl stage there were numerous attempts to attack his leading position. Giovanni Torres (Lottery Boyacá), Victor
Child (EBSA-Coordinator), Everth Gutierrez (White Valley) and Edison Valero (Gobernación del Zulia) tried but the UNE
team controlled the entire race.
Overall leader Báez crashed in the final phase of the race, Báez
lost almost twenty seconds. The UNE team protected the
man in the red leaders jersey, who wasn't injured and the accident did not play a role in the outcome of the
race.
The final meters that showed a sharp curve causing another crash of
a Colombian rider who avoided to come to close to Arthur Garcia (Lottery Tachira) . Garcia took the stage.
Báez crossed the line waving fists and is the new 'campeón' of theVuelta a Colombia 2008.
Hernan Buenahora (Lotería de Boyacá) moved into second placeoverall,
41 seconds behind Báez. standings to 1:19. Mauricio
Ortega (UNE) finished third overall.
Rock Racing's Oscar Sevilla earned the points classification jersey
to go along with his ninth place finish overall at the Vuelta a Colombia.
Sevilla first pulled on the green jersey
of points leader after Stage 5 of the 14-stage, 1,191-mile (1917 km) race. He scored five podium finishes, including
a victory on Stage 9 – one of three stage wins by Rock Racing.
Victor Hugo Peña captured Stage 7 and 2007
Vuelta a Colombia champion
Santiago Botero won the prologue time trial before withdrawing from the race on
Stage 2.
Sevilla
finished seven minutes and 45 seconds behind Baez while Peña placed 48th overall, one hour and 27 minutes behind. Tyler
Hamilton was Rock Racing’s other finisher, in 63rd place, one hour and 54 minutes back.
