Vuelta al Táchira Set to Proceed Despite Political Situation in Venezuela
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Despite recent political upheaval in Venezuela, including the capture of president nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro, the 61st edition of the Vuelta al Táchira cycling race is still scheduled to take place from January 9-18. The race will proceed as planned, with teams beginning to arrive in San Cristóbal on Wednesday, January 7th, for the team presentation at 7:00 p.m. local time.
Race Details and Route
The Vuelta al Táchira, a UCI 2.2 ranked event, will cover a total distance of 1,533 kilometers across southwestern Venezuela, starting and finishing in San Cristóbal, near the Colombian border. Organizers are maintaining a ‘business as usual’ approach, continuing to update social media with race details and sponsor acknowledgements [[1]].
Current Situation in Venezuela
On January 3rd, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and are currently in New York facing charges related to drug trafficking. This action has led to reported unrest in the capital city of Caracas, though reports indicate that other regions of the country, including the race route, remain relatively stable [[2]].
Teams and Competition
Trululu Grupo La Guacamaya, led by defending champion Eduin Becerra of Venezuela, is considered the top team on the start list. The race is expected to feature several teams from Colombia and mexico,alongside Venezuelan squads. Josmer Cuadros, vice president of the race’s organizing committee, confirmed the race will proceed without modifications, stating, “The Vuelta al Táchira will take place without any modifications, and from Wednesday the first foreign teams will arrive in San Cristóbal.”
About Vuelta al Táchira
The Vuelta al Táchira is an annual professional road cycling race held in Venezuela.First held in 1935, it has been held annually as 1955, typically spanning three weeks and traversing a changing route across the country [[3]].