Colombians in Colorado. Mucho strong.

26. Aug, 2011 6 Comments

EPM in Colorado.

With over half the US Pro Cycling Challenge over, a quick look at the team competition is a victory for Colombia. Chapeau — or in this case, a sombrero vueltiao.

Virtual unknowns for most American cycling fans, the EPM team currently owns third place ahead of ProTour powerhouses Radio Shack and Leopard Trek. Not bad for a wild card mystery squad.

The Gobernacion de Antioquia team of DS Santiago Botero created a sensation at the recent Tour of Utah and has kept up their aggressive style in the Rockies of Colorado. With a miniscule operating budget and lacking even arm warmers and vests, the squad holds down sixth place in the team competition.

Again, that’s quite an accomplish when you’re riding strong enough to rank higher than Liquigas, HTC-Highroad or Rabobank.

A few eyebrows were raised when not one, but two Colombian teams made it onto the US Pro Cycling Challenge invitation list. Several American riders wondered aloud why a popular and successful outfit like Kelly Benefit was shut out while two South American squads made the big show.

Twisted Spoke is guessing that nobody is surprised any longer.

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  • Theoldmtneer

    Infantino is the man, 1st up Independance Pass and 4 seconds back in the Vail ITT with a vented helmet and a bike out of the box……

    • http://www.atwistedspoke.com TwistedSpoke

      He is the man. They're doing a great job and I have to say the Colombians bring the spice to this race. Matt

  • http://www.fuerzasoler.com FanDeSoler

    AGREED! – these teams add so much to these races. Rather than let the big-name teams control the race by clogging up the front, the Colombian teams make them work for it. Bravo Colombiano!

    P.S. re: "bring the spice" – Colombian food is probably the least spicy I've ever tasted…quite drab, actually.

    • http://www.atwistedspoke.com TwistedSpoke

      FDS, thanks for the precision on Colombian food. That's a surprise! I've been to Peru but not Colombia. Botero said the Antioquia region is like the Pays Basque as far as terrain. SOunds like a place I should go to one day. Matt

  • http://cynthialou.com Cynthia

    Indeed! It's interesting to see the Columbians represented so strongly here. Thank you for providing the well-rounded perspective of EPM and Gobernacion de Antioquia!

    • http://www.lagrecaarts.com/category/Techtips Kristopher LaGreca

      You know that\’s why I do, baby! I get the fascinating crumbs the pros chose to ignore. Matt