Vuelta a Cuba four-time winner Cuban Pedro Pablo Perez seeks his fifth victory but his leadership is threatened by Venezuelan Jose Chacon, who is just 1.10 minutes behind him, and is considered a better climber.

Chacon, runner up in the Vuelta a Cuba 2004, may represent the South American country in Beijing; he clocked 42:33 minutes.

Jure Kocjan of Slovenia was displaced to third in the overall individual standings after clocking 4:20 behind Pedro Pablo.

Mexican Gregorio Ladino, so far unbeatable in steep mountain bike climbing, could surprise experts this Tuesday, but his chances to win the tour are not high since he is over four minutes behind.

Todays leg includes two mountain prizes at the Mirador (Lookout, kilometer 133) and at the top of Topes (kilometer 137), plus intermediary finish lines in Cabaiguan (kilometer 29), Banao (67) and Trinidad (119).

(www.cubanews.ain.cu)