Colombian Brandon Rojas won the fifth stage of the Vuelta al Táchira by Bicicleta 2026

Published at: 13/01/2026 10:41 PM

In a heart-rending finale that tested the nerves of the peloton, Colombian Brandon Rojas (GW Erco Sportfitness) imposed his power in the final stretch to win the fifth stage of the Vuelta al Táchira 2026.

Under a leaden sky and a temperature that invited speed, the 120.9-kilometer circuit in the City of the Knights was the scene of a strategic battle where every second was worth its weight in gold.

Constant siege

From the outset, the race was a “save yourself who can”. The route, consisting of thirteen laps of 9.3 kilometers each, gave no break. The attacks were the constant, with men of the stature of Manuel Medina, Anderson Paredes and the always dangerous New Granada resident Nicolás Gómez who sought to shake the hornet's nest in the flying targets.

Paredes, wearing the colors of the Venezuelan national team, staged the bravest escape of the day. Riding solo for several laps, the rider managed to crown until the eighth lap before being hit by a chasing group composed of Efraín Rodríguez, Leonidas Novoa and Abraham Dugarte.

Despite his insistence, the platoon, commanded by the executing arm of the FAM—Birdman Level Up, neutralized any attempt at rebellion with three circumvalations left until the end.

Viloria endured

The leader of the general standings, Enmanuel Viloria, demonstrated why he wears the yellow jersey. His team worked piecework to control the times, allowing the leader to enter fifth position at the same time as the winner.

However, the news of the day for the general classification is the cut of Jorge Abreu (Fina Arroz-CES Multimarcas). The Venezuelan, who finished second in the stage after Rojas's sprint, capitalized on the bonuses to be just 1 minute and 15 seconds behind Viloria.

For his part, the Zulian Wiston Maestre (Lotería del Táchira) remains on the third step of the provisional podium, 2:40 behind the lead.

Mountain in sight

This Wednesday, the multicolored caravan will face 166.3 kilometers of pure agony between El Vigía in the state of Mérida and the return to Táchira, specifically to La Grita, with a route that will include four mountain passes, including the mythical first-class Alto de La Grita, the final climb that promises to hand down a sentence.

It will not be a day to speculate; it will be the time when Viloria must decide whether to consecrate herself or if she gives in to the pressure of a Jorge Abreu who has been roaring with force, being observed through the rearview mirror by the leader.

Mazo News Team