The Avilanian cyclist Randol Izquierdo emerged as Cuba’s most outstanding performer in both the general individual classification and under-23 category at the Tour de Panama, following the 5th and final stage.
Randol finished 13th among 123 riders who completed the scheduled 529.2 kilometres in the final leg of the race, dominated by local idol Franklin Archibol (Senafront) with a total time of 11:30:28 hours and average speed of nearly 46 km/h.
Izquierdo (Cuba Rali) claimed third position in the U23 category, where his compatriots José Domínguez placed fifth and Amed Marcos (City Bikes Miami) seventh – all three preparing to compete at the 2025 Asunción Junior Pan American Games in August, according to the Cuban News Agency.
Havana-born Domínguez, ninth in points classification, finished 17th overall; Sancti Spíritus native Ricardo Delgado (HYF-Colombia) placed 19th; and Marcos came 20th.
They were followed by Matanzas riders Yariel de León (24th) and Vicente Sanabria (29th); Mayabeque’s Yadiel Hernández (38th); Havana’s Yusnier Álvarez (74th); and Matanzas’ Joselín Piedra (87th).
Hernández secured third in the youth category, while Cuba Rali team delivered strong performances to finish fourth among 21 teams, surpassed only by Medellín EPM, Manzaté and Rali Giant squads.
The fifth and final stage covered 95 kilometres on a closed circuit in Panama City, where once again the Antillean riders finished with the leading peloton – this time with Domínguez 7th, Álvarez 17th and Izquierdo 20th.
Eduardo Alonso, former cyclist and multiple champion of Cuba’s national tours with other outstanding international results, praised the combativeness and performance of the Greater Antilles’ contingent, which met the organisers’ expectations for their participation.
Cuba Rali’s technical director described the tour as particularly valuable experience for the national team’s young riders, noting one of their key objectives this Olympic cycle is qualifying for the 2026 Santo Domingo Central American and Caribbean Games.
