Colombian cyclist Rigoberto Urán confirmed this Sunday that the 2024 season will be his last as a professional. The Antioquian made a statement in a video and the EF Education Easy Post team shared the important decision that Rigoberto Urán made for the future.
“Today, Rigoberto Urán officially announced that the 2024 season is his last. For the past nine years, Rigo has been our leader and inspiration. The captain’s chair at the front of our team bus was his,” reads his team’s post on the social network ‘X’.
The video begins with an introduction in which Rigo cuts to the chase and refers to the determination he has made regarding his future as a cyclist. “Making this decision is very difficult, the truth also gives a lot of scare. Cycling has given me everything in life, I am also aware that all life has a cycle and there are things that are over.
“I am only grateful to the team, to all the people who have always supported me during those 20 years. There have been many coaches and teammates who have always been there to help me,” says the 37-year-old rider.
Urán is then interviewed for more than an hour about his career, his decision and how he will live this year. As expected, from the start, he told the main reasons for ending his adventure as soon as the 2024 season ends.
“There are several reasons, the first is the family. You miss many special moments with your children. When you are an athlete you think it is a sin not to do it. For example, you are in a meeting with friends and you say I’m leaving because tomorrow I have to train. You’re eating, I can’t eat that much because I’m overweight. Going on vacation in December and having to take your bike with you. The age is another cause, the performance in the races is already very difficult for me, there is a very strong generation”, he said forcefully.
The cyclist born in Urrao was one of the stars of the Tour Colombia 2024, which left Rodrigo Contreras as the winner. Urán rode with an EF Edcuation-EasyPost team full of stars such as Richard Carapaz, Esteban Chaves and Andrea Piccolo. Rigo’ struggled in the mountains, was smart on the flat and finished fourth overall, 50 seconds behind the champion.
His best performance was in stage four when he finished third, behind Alejandro Osorio and Contreras.
Source: Caracol Sports