Stage 7 of the 2025 edition of the Vuelta Ciclistica Internacional a Guatemala delivered drama, strategic attacks and a surprise winner, as the peloton covered 137 km from San Francisco El Alto down to San Pedro Sacatepéquez.
The terrain & race dynamics
Starting at San Francisco El Alto, the route featured a tough opening with altitude and climbing before a descent and rolling terrain into San Pedro Sacatepéquez. Given the profile, the expectation was that climbers and strong descenders could make the difference — not simply a bunch sprint.
As the stage unfolded, breakaway attempts were frequent, with riders testing each other on the climbs. The decisive move came in the final third of the stage, when a small group managed to open a gap and ride the final kilometres together.
Stage winner & podium
The stage was won by José Ramón Muñiz (Olinka Specialized) in a time of 3h 22’48”.
He was followed by Juan Carlos López (GW Erco Shimano) +0’05” and Cristian Camilo Muñoz (Nu Colombia) +0’05”.
Muñiz’s victory stands out: against strong climbing opposition he timed his effort to perfection and held off his rivals in the closing kilometres.
General Classification impact
With the stage concluded:
- Muñiz moves to 7th overall, at 5 :37 behind the leader.
- López moves into 2nd overall, at only +0’05” to the existing first-place rider (though the listing shows him +0:05 behind Cristian Camilo Muñoz who remains 1st).
- Muñoz retains the overall lead (1st) by that narrow margin.
This stage shook up the standings: what looked like a controlled GC proposition now becomes much more tactical, as minute gaps mean that finish in upcoming stages could be decisive.
Notable performances & statistics
- The winning time 3h 22’48” over 137 km corresponds to an approximate average speed of 40.6 km/h (137 ÷ 3.38h).
- Muñiz’s win marked a strong performance from a Mexican rider in a race historically dominated by Colombians and Guatemalans.
- Among Guatemalan riders, the best finishers included Fredy Toc Gerson, Julio Ispache and others — their efforts underscore how local riders continue to raise their level in the Vuelta.
What to watch going forward
- With a GC spread of mere seconds, the next stages will have heightened tension: teams will look to control breakaways, exploit terrain differences and keep their leaders out of trouble.
- Descents and rolling terrain may favour opportunists; riders like Muñiz who can sprint and manage climbs have an advantage.
- Teams such as GW Erco Shimano and Nu Colombia will now have to defend their riders strongly, both in terms of pace-making and protecting their GC standers.
- The young riders classification and mountain points remain up for grabs — attacks on the climbs could swing those jerseys as well.
Final thoughts
Stage 7 changed the tone of the race. What might have looked like a gradual progression towards the final mountain showdown has instead turned into a chess match on the roads of Guatemala. José Ramón Muñiz’s blow-by-blow victory has put a fresh name in the spotlight, and with many kilometres still to ride, the 64th edition of the Vuelta Ciclistica Internacional a Guatemala promises more surprises.
Stay tuned as the riders roll into Stage 8, and the GC battle intensifies.
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