After three days of vying for a stage win in the Rutas de America, things paid off for the Chipotle Development team when Jacob Rathe won a four man sprint at the end of the race to Paso de los Toros.
He got a strong leadout from team-mate Lachlan Morton , beating beat Fabio Felline (Geox-TMC), José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) and Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) in the gallop.
“Jacob and Lachlan were super today,” directeur sportif Chann McRae told VeloNation. “Lachlan completely sacrificed his own chances for Jacob, and it was one of those selfless moments that define teamwork. I couldn't be happier for the team.”
The quintet went clear five kilometres into the 140.3 kilometre stage. They were pushed along by a tailwind and covered the distance at an average of 48 kilometres per hour. The maximum lead was three and a half minutes, and while it dropped to one minute 30 seconds with 20 kilometres left to race, the break managed to stay clear.
Once inside the final kilometre, the team played things perfectly and Rathe grabbed the win.
Nestor Pias (C.S.D.Amanecer) continues to hold a sender lead in the general classification. He is four seconds clear of Eduardo Sepulveda (Acme), while Jorge Soto (Club Porongos) is one second further back. Chipotle Development rider Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team) is sixth, ten seconds behind.
He secured that high place in GC when he got clear in an 18 man move on stage two, then sprinted in fifth.
“Last year there was a split or break every stage, so we'll see how well the leaders team will control things,” said McRae then. “Obviously if they control well, the winner of Rutas America will come from one of these 18 riders, and it will be decided in the TT.
That takes place tomorrow (Saturday) with a 24.5 kilometre test. It is preceded by a 105.3 kilometre road race to Trinidad.
The Chipotle Development squad is the feeder squad for the Garmin-Cervélo ProTeam. It has increased backing this year and will do more international racing as a result.
Rutas de America, March 8-13 201:
March 11, Stage 4: Tacuarembo - Paso de los Toros:
1, Jacob Rathe (Chipotle Development Team) 140.3 kilometres in 2 hours 55 mins 26 secs
2, Fabio Felline (Geox-TMC)
3, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada)
4, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga)
5, Lachlan David Morton (Chipotle Development Team) at 4 secs
6, Dario Diaz (Villa Teresa)
7, Richard Mascaraña (C.C. Alas Rojas)
8, Matteo Pelucchi (Geox-TMC)
9, Hector Aguilar (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga)
10, Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team)
Premio Cima (Cat. 3):
1, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 3 pts
2, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) 2
3, Lachlan David Morton (Chipotle Development Team) 1
Premio Cima (Cat. 3):
1, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 3 pts
2, Fabio Felline (Geox-TMC) 2
3, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) 1
Premio Sprinter:
1, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 3 pts
2, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) 2
3, Lachlan David Morton (Chipotle Development Team) 1
Premio Sprinter #2:
1, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 3 pts
2, Jacob Rathe (Chipotle Development Team) 2
3, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) 1
Teams:
1, Chipotle Development, 8 hours 46 mins 26 secs
2, Geox-TMC
3, Andalucia-Caja Granada
General classification after stage 4:
1, Nestor Pias (C.S.D.Amanecer) 13 hours 38 mins 14 secs
2, Eduardo Sepulveda (Acme) at 4 secs
3, Jorge Soto (Club Porongos) at 5 secs
4, Gonzalo Tagliabue (Villa Teresa) at 8 secs
5, Mariano De Fino (Villa Teresa)
6, Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team) at 10 secs
7, Ignacio Maldonado (C.C. Fenix)
8, Antonio Cabello Baena (Andalucia Caja Granada)
9, Richard Mascaraña (C.C. Alas Rojas) at 11 secs
10, Jorge Bravo (C.C. Alas Rojas)
Points classification:
1, Dario Diaz (Villa Teresa) 36 pts
2, Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team) 22
3, Matteo Pelucchi (Geox-TMC) 22
4, Nestor Pias (C.S.D.Amanecer) 19
5, Jorge Soto (Club Porongos) 18
6, Eduardo Sepulveda (Acme) 16
Mountains classification:
1, Mario Alvarez (Olimpico Juvenil) 9 pts
2, Alex Howes (Chipotle Development Team) 7
3, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 6
4, Jorge Bravo (C.C. Alas Rojas) 6
5, Nemesio Garcia (C.C. Cerro Largo) 3
6, José Luis Cano (Andalucia Caja Granada) 3
Sprint classification:
1, Daniel Juarez (Acme) 9 pts
2, Roberto Pinheiro (FUNVIC-Pindamonhanga) 6
3, Gabriel Richard (Club Porongos) 3
U23, classification:
1, Eduardo Sepulveda (Acme)
2, Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team)
3, Ignacio Maldonado (C.C. Fenix)
Teams classification:
1, C.C. Alas Rojas, 4 hours 55 mins 27 secs
2, Villa Teresa, at 2 mins 2 secs
3, Club Porongos, at 3 mins 11 secs
4, C.C. Dolores, at 3 mins 19 secs
5, Chipotle Development, at 4 mins
6, Andalucia-Caja Granada) at 4 mins 15 secs