Merino from Matanzas province covered 185 km in a time of 4:18:43, followed by his country fellowman Juan Carlos Arias from Universidad del Deporte team and Canadian Martin Gilbert from Planet Energy team.

The winner informed to Prensa Latina he was very happy with his victory, which he dedicated to his family and to the people who follow him.

Merino, after being away from high performance sport for 4 years, is having a wonderful performance in this competition. He has gotten four second places, one third and one first.

Today s first place gave him his 18th victory in Cycling Tours to Cuba which ties him in the second place with Pedro Pablo Perez. The first cyclist in this kind of competition is Sergio "Pitian" Martinez who achieves 25 victories.

Cuban Arnold Alcolea remained in first place of individual competition with a time of 34:55.04. He was followed by Venezuelan Jose Alarcon from Merida team and Cuban Yenier Lopez from Cuba team.

Merino leads the sprints with 56 points, Yans Carlos leads intermediate sprints with 54 points and Alarcon leads mountain with 28 points.

Cuba goes first in countries

Tomorrow will be held stage 11 which covers 120 km from Cardenas to San Antonio de los Banos.