Columbian cycling icon Rigoberto Urán, has made the decision to call time on his 19-seasons long career. Thoughts of retirement for the EF Education Easy-Post rider surfaced in November 2023. He changed his course after teasing a two-year contract with his team in recent weeks but has finally come to a conclusion.

The man who holds the record for stage wins in each of the Grand Tours, confirmed news of his retirement in an interview after the Tour Columbia. He finished fourth and received loud cheers from the crowd standing on the podium. But then he confirmed it was time to walk away when he said, “the time has come.”

Rigoberto Urán bids goodbye to cycling

Urán’s heartfelt words captured the essence of his remarkable journey, as he expressed heartfelt thanks for the opportunities and experiences that cycling had brought him. While facing the bittersweet reality of retirement, he recognized the immense influence the sport had on his life. It wasn’t just a job for Urán, but a passion that dictated every aspect of his being. For over two decades, he lived and breathed cycling, driven by a tireless work ethic and unwavering determination.

“As a cyclist, I believe the time has come to say we have reached the end. It has taken me a long time to come to this decision. It is something I have thought long and hard about. The truth is that it is scary. Cycling has given me everything in life,” said Urán.

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This is a journey that started in 2006 and with multiple teams like Quick-Step, Team Sky, Urán was a force to reckon with since the start. His greatest moment perhaps is the stage win at Vuelta a España 2022, where he completed the full set of Grand Tour Stage wins. He came second in 2017 Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in 2013 and 2014.

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An Olympic silver medalist, Urán was a fan favorite and loved outside the track for his charming persona. His post-race interviews were always memorable, filled with words familiar to his region of Antioquia.

The fear of life after retirement

To pull the curtains on a cycling career so fulfilling is difficult, as Urán described in his interviews. For him, this season is all about enjoying the final ride and not worrying about anything else. It’s a celebration of a 20 years cycling journey, for all the people who stood by him, a heartfelt thank you.

He is now scheduled to race in the O Gran Camiño a few weeks later and expressed his desire to participate in several other races. The foot is on the pedal and he has eyes set on Paris-Nice, the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de France.

Even though he is worried about life after retirement, the cycling legend has multiple businesses set up under his name. They include restaurants, a clothing line and his popular sportive ‘Go Rigo Go.’ He is revered by everyone back home and his popularity has grown multitudes recently, courtesy of a show based on his life.

It was a career not showered with accolades but immense love and respect from people. He will forever live in the hearts of people, and that is his legacy.

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