Santiago Botero won the seventh stage in the 2009 Vuelta a Colombia, a
time trial in the streets of Medellin. Jose Rujano keeps his lead in
the overall classification.
Botero, an experienced time trial specialist who spent a large part of his career riding for European top teams, needed 41 minutes and 25 seconds to complete the 35km course.
Freddy Montaña (Boyacá es para Vivirla) was exactly 30 seconds slower and Rujano limited the damage finishing at another six seconds, in third place.
In the general classification, the distances at the top are getting smaller. Rujano remains on top but the gap with second-placed Montaña is only 27 seconds. Botero follows at 58 seconds.
Monday’s stage 8 starts in Rionegro and, after crossing through Medellín, ends on top of the Alto Escobero just south-east of the city.