Kaden Hopkins was back in action competing in Stage Four of the National Independence Cyclistic Vuelta 2021.
A day after riding to victory, Hopkins covered the 120 KM Fourth Stage distance in a time of 3:00.57, to cross the line 11th.
Hopkins would finish 5 minutes and 53 seconds behind Stage winner Klesmas Yurgen Ramirez.
Hopkins the Under 23 Division Defending Champion, finished second in the Under 23 Division Stage, remains in second place overall in the Division, however, the gap in the Division was increased to 2 minutes and 05 seconds by leader Omar Antonio Ruiz Peralta.
Hopkins fell to 10th place overall with a time of 14:07.39, Klesmas Yurgen Ramirez, is the overall leader with a time of 13:58.19.
Hopkins is now in second place in Points with 53, Ramirez is the leader with 55 points, and Julio Padilla Miranda is third with 45 points.
Hopkins and his Bermuda-Puerto Rico teammates fell to 10th place overall as a team with an overall time of 42:38.45.
Hopkins said, “5km into the stage there was a really steep, short climb and one of the local teams split the field. I, along with my teammate Julian Molina, was able to make the split of about 15 riders. The break managed to put 2:30 between us and the peloton before we hit the base of the climb.
The Venezuelan team set a relentless pace right from the base of the climb and blew the break apart almost instantly. Once I was isolated I settled into my own rhythm until the finish 15 km’s later“.
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