Rigoberto Uran thoroughly about his retirement as a professional cyclist and what he lacked to get

Rigoberto Urán dialogue for AM850 cycling And he gave details of how he lived his last year of competition, referred to the time of retirement and told us about his new life as an entrepreneur. He also confessed what he lacked to get in his career as a professional cyclist and what was his most special moment after competing above a bicycle.

How does Rigo feel in this new stage of his life?

“Very good, we had been programming it for a long time, I can tell you that 2 years ago, we already had a date and we were also preparing familiar and business, then let’s say there was a route to do. I am happy, I finished my sports career a little tired, saturated with the bicycle, I have been riding very little, I have been sharing much longer with the family, with the company and the fact of being able to get up late, not to go out to train, eat Whatever you want, to be able to drink a beer, a wine or whatever, what I know, transnochar, I think I needed, I had been in a discipline line, fulfilling training schedules and routines. It is also that the results were very scarce, that also took us to say here we arrived and we will not continue. At this time I can say that I am a retired athlete who so far has had a great time in this last month, enjoying knowing places, with a long time at home so I can say that a wonder. ”

His last stage as a cyclist, the decision of the retirement and his new life of entrepreneur

“We for what was the year 2023 and 2024 made a contract with the team, for that time Richard Carapaz had already arrived, so he was going to supply and improve my position in the team, my results were not the best, I It cost a lot and there was a little discouraged because I trained and took care of me, but when the races arrived I was not able to obtain the same results, I had a hard time maintaining the shape, the weight, then the effort was much greater for which I did not It was profitable. The team told me that he wanted between 2023 and 2024 but more than anything to support young cyclists, results were not going to demand, obviously the contract changes notoriously because they are not going to pay you the same as five years ago and there began a Enjoy the bicycle, without so much commitment, my calendar changed a lot, it was more to share with the new generations, with the young people who were hiring in the team and already came a program from the team, from my family and from my business’ Go Rigo Go ‘(…) “We have seen many athletes who have retired and had mental, economical problems, it is really difficult to leave a sport when it has given you so many important things, when it has transformed your life and when it has done you Better person, it is difficult to leave it and surely I don’t know what will give me, but as I say we had prepared, my time is now busier with more meetings, more work than I did before, because before my life was very focused on training And rest, now I have my agenda a little more full and that does not give you much time to think, then I have been busy and say that it is a lot to create a company for when you retire to be able to entertain yourself. ”

How did you live its last year of competition and retirement?

“Particularly last year it was a very complex year for me because I did not end the way I wanted to finish, I finished my sports career in an ambulance because I fell into Spain and they had to take me to the clinic, I had a very fissure Little and there ended my career in Europe. What I thought was to finish the return, to get to Madrid, a recognition, but it could not be The memory remained, because obviously the way I ended up in an ambulance, one is not desired to any cyclist, it was something terrible, but since we had already been prepared, we already knew what we wanted to do, because it was difficult, but I did not stay with that moment, but with every year I competed, it was planned well with my family, with the team and with a whole group of people around me “(…)” It was simply something that happened, something that you have no idea, you You get out of hand, a fall can have anyone, it was also a very simple fall in which we were going down, the rear wheel was a little and I fell, I had a strong pain for which I decide to stop and now, obviously, obviously It was an end that did not expect it, nor did anyone expect it, but I think things go through something, let’s say it was a little sad, but the truth being sincere I did not pay much attention, this happened like this, we finished our career and Only thanks to all the people and teams that helped me, because there were many teams and friends to know, the legacy I left in Europe, the classmates who through me arrived in teams to Europe, that is what remained with me, We must adapt to the situation, this happened, what to weigh, what sadness, but well, we continued forward, I was also with a newborn son, which was very great for me, that everything had been super good with my family, then He was paid so much attention, but not so much, but yes, I didn’t remember and I finished my sports career in that ambulance. ”

What was your greatest joy competing above a bicycle?

“A very special moment is when you are on the podium of a Tour de France, it is something spectacular, it is something very nice, very special, to meet there because the tour is the race that all cyclists dream and see you there on the podium, in The Champs Elyseos, with the arch of triumph, that moment for me was very very special. ”

What was missing in his career as a cyclist?

“In the return to Spain I always wanted to make a podium and my best result was a sixth place in the general classification, it was a career in which I tried for many years to make a good career and I never succeeded, I won a stage that was very important To be part of that cyclist club that have won stages in the big three, but I really tried several years and I was not able to specify that podium. ”

The panorama of cycling for Colombia in Europe

“It is clear, it is a generation that we already went out of style, Egan Bernal is part of another new generation with Buitrago, Martínez, but those of mine are already leaving it, Nairo is already 35 years old, he is an excellent cyclist, hopefully he can have Good results, but with today’s cycling in Europe it is very difficult because It is that new cyclists such as Buitrago, Martínez or Higuita, can continue in good shape and looking for good results. ”

The message for the Colombian amateur cyclist who is starting his dream

“To all those children who want to be like Rigoberto Uran, I tell them that it is easy because they can improve my record, but if they suddenly want to be like Pogacar I tell you that this is more difficult, complex because Iguaar to Pogacar is difficult, it is a star. But being like Rigoberto Urán yes, it is because it was a cyclist who with a lot That through that I could do very important things such as creating a company, making events, that is what I have left and having a recognition not by cyclist, but per person, it is what I want these boys to do, to have a lot of discipline, patience When facing these processes and hopefully they can arrive, we need more athletes. ”

His new facet as a football investor

“Recently with Carlos Vives we bought some strength actions, a Colombian team that has very good bases, more than one thousand five hundred children here in their schools, a team that comes growing, at this time we are in the first division of Colombian football And we arrived at a sport that we had never been, we are also sponsors with our ‘Go Rigo Go’ uniforms, we characterize ourselves by making cycling uniforms and now we are doing it with football teams, we are investors and we hope that this project will continue to grow and that the team can have good players to export them to other leagues. ”

The message for the Colombian fan who accompanied him for so long

“Thank you for all these years that have supported me in my sports career, thanks for everything they contributed in my life, for support in all my ventures, confidence in us in our brands, simply tell you thank you and you have to support to continue supporting Colombian cyclists and new talents that come. ”

How do you see Carapaz for what is coming?

“It is a corridor that has a lot This year the team points a lot too, I don’t know his calendar, but surely he will get very good results. ”