Menzies regains lead in Vuelta Mexico sprint competition

Toluca, Mexico - Karl Menzies once again got himself off the front in Stage 5 of la Vuelta Mexico, and won three of the four intermediate sprints out on the road to re-take the leader’s jersey in the sprint competition.

The 215 km stage featured an astounding eight rated climbs, beginning with the 1,500-meter Cacahumilpa climb 70 kilometers into the stage, and stair-stepping up over the next 110 km to the top of the Zinacantepec volcano at over 3,500 meters (>11,000 ft.).

But with all four intermediate sprints coming within the first 50 km, Menzies’ goal was to get out on the attack early and start taking points in order to make up the six-point deficit he had on Francesco Rivera (Amica Chips). He did so to great effect.

Menzies got into a break that at one point had a gap of nine minutes on the field. He took third in the first intermediate sprint, which was won by teammate Cam Evans. Menzies then ran the table on the next three and continued on with the break into the climbing phase of the stage, taking points in two of the first three KoMs.

“Karl did a great job of getting off the front and getting the sprint jersey back,” said team directeur sportif Mike Tamayo. “Our goal the rest of the way will be to make sure he keeps it.”

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