Rigoberto Uran, Fernando Gaviria, and Nairo Quintana lent their support to the upcoming Colombia Oro y Paz race, which will hold its inaugural edition in February 2018.
Oro y Paz stage race will enter the UCI calendar with 2.1 categorisation and will therefore feature WorldTour and Pro-Continental teams.
Team Sky, Movistar, , Quick-Step Floors, and EF Education First-Drapac will be the four WorldTour teams at the new Colombian race.
Pro Continental teams committed include Manzana Postobón, Israel Cycling Academy, UnitedHealthcare, Androni-Sidermec, Euskadi-Murias, Burgos-BH, Holowesko-Citadel, and CCC Sprandi Polkowice.
The Continental teams will be: Team Iluminate, Trevigiani-Hemus, Coldeportes-Zenu, Medellín Inder, Bicicletas Strongman, GW Shimano, EPM, and Orgullo Antioqueño. The final four teams will be national squads from Colombia, Italy, Argentina, and Russia.
“I’m very happy because it is a very important event,” Uran said. “As I’ve said, it is an event that Colombia needed, a race where we could participate because until now we only have the possibility of racing in Colombia in the national championship, and now we will have international teams that come to participate. It is important to show the infrastructure of Colombia and be able to share with the people.”
Quintana added: “It’s a source of pride that the country will host such a big race, and not only with the participation of us Colombians but also with international riders. It will give great pride to showcase ourselves in front of the world.”
