Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Rigoberto Urán (Cannondale-Drapac), Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Sergio Henao (Team Sky) have all been named in Colombia’s squad for the World Championships in Bergen.
Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) has also been named among a very strong looking team and is likely to be the country’s best hope at a medal in the road race.
Gaviria hasn’t raced since the Hammer Series, but will hope he can carry some form into the Worlds and get over the tough climbs of the Bergen course to try and contest the victory.
The 23-year-old rider will be accompanied by Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac), Nairo Quintana and Carlos Betancur (Movistar Team), Sergio and Sebastian Henao (Team Sky), Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) and Jarlinson Pantano (Trek-Segafredo).
The president of the Colombian Federation, Jorge Ovidio, announced that there is a possibility of taking the winner of the Vuelta a Colombia to the 2018 World Championships. “I hope the coaches understand that it would be a very important award and a big motivation, to take the winner of the race to the World Championships.”
Ovidio also announced that the most important Colombian race has been inscribed to be part of the UCI America Tour 2018 in the 2.1 category and it is awaiting the calendar confirmation for next year. “I have spoken with the UCI President Cookson to let us organise the race between the 6th and the 11th of February, ideal dates for us.”
