Osorio Beats Iguita and Bernal to Win Colombian Road Race Championship

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Osorio Beats Iguita and Bernal to Win Colombian Road Race Championship

Alejandro Osorio (GW Erco Shimano) saved some legs from an early breakaway and held off Sergio Iguita (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) to win his first Colombian national title. He completed the 212.5 km road race course in 4 hours, 53 minutes, and 23 seconds, only 4 seconds ahead of the World Tour athletes.

Cristian Camilo Muñoz (Nou-Colombia) led the trio a few seconds behind, with Osorio's teammate Fabian Lopez in seventh place, 46 seconds behind. Three minutes after Osorio crossed the finish line, the top 10 was still undecided, and another 15 minutes later, the top 10 was still undecided, and the destruction of the peloton was clear.

Daniel Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe), winner of Thursday's time trial, finished 28th, one place behind 2023 road race champion Esteban Chaves (EF Education-Easy Post); EF's Rigoberto Uran finished 33rd.

After the peloton caught a trio of escapees early on, a group of 20 riders, including six GW Elco Shimano riders (including the Osorio brothers Alejandro and Frank), broke away from the front. Eventually, in a high pace, the six riders remained at the front, except for Alejandro Osorio. He was joined by teammates Lopez, Edgar Andres Pinson, Nou Colombia's Muñoz, Bernardo Suaza (Forte Petrolaic - Androni Giocattoli), David Gomez (Team Sistecredito), Haider Muñoz (Team Sistecredito)

50 left.

With 50km to go, Bernal and Iguita began chasing in a group with Brandon Rivera (Ineos Grenadiers), Jonathan Chavez (Neu-Colombia), and Kevin Castillo (Team Sistecredito).

Suaza was the first to attack from the main group, but Alejandro Osorio countered, crossing the finish line before 2022 road champion Iguita and 2020 silver medalist Bernal could catch him.

Sunday's victory in Boyaca was his third early season win, including a stage win at the 2.2-level Vuelta al Tachira, and secured him first place in the points standings after eight days.

Osorio proved himself as an under-23 climber when he rode for GW Shimano's Continental team for the first time in his career, finishing in the top 10 at the Tour de Lavenir in 2018 and winning a stage at the U23 Giro. 2021, Osorio will be second in the youth class at the Tour de l'Alps in his second season with Caja Rural Seguros RGA; in 2022, he signed with Bahrain Victorious and completed the UAE Tour, but then returned to GW Shimano due to contract troubles.

The women contested the national road race championships on Friday at 108.6 km. Paula Patiño (Movistar) won the race in 2 hours 52 minutes 35 seconds, ahead of defending champion Deanna Penuela (DNA Pro Cycling) by 3 seconds.

The bronze medal was decided in a close race behind Penuela, with Jessenia Meneses (Laboral Kucha-Fundacion Euskadi) ahead of Carolina Vargas (Eneicat - CM Team).

Penuela had won gold in the time trial the day before.

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