The Vuelta Ciclista a Costa Rica (English: Tour of Costa Rica) is a bicycle racing stage race held annually, since 1965, in Costa Rica. The men's Vuelta carries a UCI rating of 2.2 and is part of the UCI America Tour, which is one of six UCI Continental Circuits sponsored by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the sport's international governing body. For the women's race see; Vuelta Internacional Femenina a Costa Rica.
Doping On 31 January 2018 the UCI announced that they had suspended a number of riders who competed in the 2017 edition of the race, after they tested positive for the third generation blood booster – EPO-CERA. Overall winner Juan Carlos Rojas (Frijoles Los Tierniticos), third place César Rojas Villegas, Leandro Varela, Vladimir Fernandez who won stage 4 of the race, Jose Villalobos, Jason Huertas, Jose Irias, Gabriel Marin, Melvin Mora, Kevin Murillo Solano and Jordy Sandoval.
Past winners
Trophy In 2023, the Vuelta a Costa Rica introduced an official championship trophy for the first time in its history, after more than five decades of competition.
The trophy was designed by Costa Rican designer Jorge Vargas, winner of a national competition organized by the Costa Rican Cycling Federation (FECOCI).
The design incorporates symbolic elements representing the nature of the race and national identity, including a wooden base, a mountain-shaped structure symbolizing climbing stages, and metallic elements in gold and silver representing victory, effort, and perseverance.
References