The roads of Cordoba province told a wonderful story on Sunday – one written in sweat, courage, and two wheels. L’Etape Argentina by Tour de France returned to Argentine soil for the first time in 11 years, and the province rose magnificently to the occasion.
From the shadow of the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium, more than 2,500 riders from 15 nations across three continents rolled out at dawn onto roads that wind through the Sierras Chicas and the Valle de Punilla. The long route – 132.4 kilometres of climbing, suffering, and glory – traversed the iconic Camino del Cuadrado before looping back through Cosquin and onto the Cordoba-Carlos Paz highway. It was a route designed to reveal character, and today, character won.
In the men’s race, Federico Jankunas – just 21 years old – crossed the line in 3:10:26, edging Facundo Perez Costa and Enrique Estevez with a final bike throw in a breathless finale. The margins were razor thin, measured in hundredths of seconds, with finish line fans glued to the drama. Agustin Duran won the Polka Dot KOM jersey, while Jankunas claimed not only the Champion’s Yellow Jersey but also the Green Sprint jersey.
Among the women, the victory carried an even deeper resonance. Carolina Vanesa Maldonado finished in 3:30:24, ahead of Romina Biaglioli and Valeria Rossi. Maldonado – who trains just two hours daily during her lunch break while working full-time at her local municipality – crossed the line in tears. In addition to claiming the Champion’s Yellow Jersey, she also took home the Green Sprint and Polka Dot KOM jerseys, making her triumph a clean sweep. Her story embodies everything the worldwide L’Etape amateur series stands for.
The top three finishers in each category earn the Golden Pass – direct entry to the official L’Etape du Tour amateur race taking place at the Tour de France in July.
Complete 2026 L’Etape Argentina results HERE
Photo Credit: L’Etape, Cadena 3
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