Venezuelan Jorge Abreu won the fourth stage of the 61st Vuelta al Táchira

Published at: 12/01/2026 07:03 PM

In cycling, the road always ends up putting everyone in their place, and today, Jorge Abreu (Fina Arroz)'s place was the highest step on the podium, winning the fourth stage of the 61st Vuelta al Táchira, after a strenuous route of 162.9 kilometers that culminated in the heart of the city of Mérida.

The day, which started from the hot town of La Fría, was marked by a massive escape of eleven units.

The Bolivian Eduardo Moyata and the Mexican bloc came to dream of taking the lead by opening a gap of up to eight minutes compared to the main lot. However, the advantage proved to be a mirage compared to the verticality of the Venezuelan Andes.

As the asphalt steeped in search of Plaza Bolívar in Mérida, the pace of the favorite platoon ended up devouring the hopes of today's adventurers.

Not even the individual attempt of some protagonists of the day, such as Marcos Orozco, who escaped for a long period, could not stop the inertia of a group that had been determined to play the stage between the bosses.

At 35, Jorge Abreu gave a lesson on how to read a mountain race. While others burned their cartridges prematurely, the experienced national rider waited for the moment of greatest suffocation on the final circuit to launch a sudden attack.

With a record of 4 hours, 22 minutes and 04 seconds, Abreu crossed the sentence alone, leaving a wake of watts that neither Diego Méndez (Lotería del Táchira) nor the Colombian Brandon Rojas (GW Erco Sport Fitness) could follow, having to settle for secondary places on the podium.

Despite Abreu's recital, Enmanuel Viloria (Fam Birdman) saved the furniture. The current wearer of the yellow jersey withstood the onslaught on the Merida ramps and maintained the lead for the fourth consecutive day.

However, the advantage has been reduced: now he can feel Abreu's breath at just over 60 seconds, a minimal difference considering the amount of ground left to cover.

This Tuesday, January 13, the caravan will compete in the fifth stage: a 120.9-kilometer circuit within the same capital of Merida. It will be treacherous terrain, without a flat meter and with a rising finish that promises to shake up the general classification again before the Giro returns to Tachirense territory.

Mazo News Team