Yoanka Gonzalez Heads Cuban Cycling Squad to Argentinean Tour

HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 6 (acn) The Olympic and world medalist Yoanka Gonzalez leads the Cuban road cycling squad that will participate from January 10 to 16 in the second edition of the women's tour to San Luis, in Argentina.

In addition to the experienced runner, the team also includes Yeima Torres, Mailín Sánchez, Claudia Baró and Iraida García, all directed by the coach Alfredo Lopez, Hector Ruiz, national commissioner of discipline, told AIN.
The race will cover a distance of 393 kilometers, divided into six stages, and will be attended by nine local and 10 foreign squads, according to the website of the event.
Along with Cuba, the list of visitors includes three Italian, two Americans, and equal number of Brazilian teams, plus one from Chile and Colombia respectively.
The first edition, held in 2014, was won by Alison Powers of the United Health Care, from United States, with time of 7: 26.35 hours, while Marlies Mejias was the best Cuban and finished fifth at 3:04 minutes of the leader.
Gonzalez, who is the only Cuban who repeats, finished 49th (+16.24) among 85 cyclists who completed the event, including her teammates Arlenis Sierra, eighth ( +3.14) and Yudelmis Dominguez (22nd / + 4.00).
The men's version of the circuit, which will take place from January 19 to 25, will also be attended by a Cuban team made up by Arnold Alcolea, Yennier Lopez, Felix Nodarse , Jan Carlos Arias and Onel Santa Clara, all coached by Henry Rodriguez.