The fifth stage of the Vuelta Ciclística al Ecuador Banco Pichincha can define a virtual winner of the 37th edition. The favorites are relegated and riders like Henry Velasco or Joel Burbano, the winner in the previous stage, can surprise the peloton. The advantage obtained by the overall leader in this stage will be decisive for the final circuit.
Burbano (Sin Fronteras) won in La Estrellita, followed by Velasco (Eagle Bikes), a situation that changes in the general classification. There is only one second separating the two riders, and 4 min 12 s to the first title contender, Byron Guamá (Best PC), who is ranked tenth in the general classification. Two positions behind is Jorge Montenegro (Movistar Team), the defending champion.
- Joel Burbano came out of retirement and hopes to win the Vuelta al Ecuador.
The stage is a mountainous one, and if the arrival at La Estrellita was called the queen stage, the departure from El Playón de San Francisco (Sucumbíos) to Atuntaqui (Imbabura) is no less challenging, with 129.9 kilometers, a second category mountain prize just 4.71 km from the start, another one at 12.22 km, three intermediate sprints, and a third mountain prize (124.35 km), but this one is a first-category, at 2,400 meters above sea level.
The battles in the mountains and intermediate sprints will also have a winner in this stage. Burbano wears the yellow jersey for the best climber and Cristian Novoa (Best PC) wears the green jersey as the fastest rider in the race. If he wins one of the three intermediate sprints, the rider from Cayambe will secure the title, even with other options to win on Saturday, as he has a 22-point advantage over his closest rival in the classification.
The stage was named in recognition of Jonathan Caicedo, a rider from EF Pro Cycling, who won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia this year.
General classification
1. Henry Velasco (Eagle Bikes) - 14 h 2 min 17 s
2. Joel Burbano (Sin Fronteras) - 1 s behind
3. Sergio González (Guatemala) - 3 s behind
4. Royner Navarro (Peru) - 43 s behind
5. Santiago Montenegro (Ecuador) - 48 s behind
Leaders by categories
General leader - Henry Velasco (Eagle Bikes)
Mountain leader - Joel Burbano (Sin Fronteras)
Intermediate sprint leader - Leonidas Novoa (Best PC)
Under 23 leader - Sergio Chumil (Guatemala)
Combativity leader - Santiago Montenegro (Ecuador)