"As a cyclist, I believe the time has come to say: this is the end" - Rigoberto Urán confirms retirement after 2024 season

Rigoberto Urán will end his professional career in cycling during the 2024 season. This year will be 'Rigo's last in the peloton, he confirmed at the end of the Tour Colombia where he was a tremendously popular figure all week.

“As a cyclist, I believe the time has come to say: this is the end. It took me a long time to come to this decision. It's something I've thought long and hard about," Urán admits. "The truth is, it's scary. Cycling has given me everything in life. For almost 23 years I got up, had breakfast and then got on my bike. I was part of a team that took me to the biggest competitions in the world. Now that is coming to an end.”

With podiums at the Olympic Games, Tour de France and Giro d'Italia - with wins in the latter two, Urán was not only a tremendously successful rider but also an inspiration to the Colombian audience. He was among the first of a new generation that began to show it's colours in the 2010's, and was a headliner as he battled for victories in the Grand Tours against the likes of Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali.

The 37-year old was also a strong classics rider, having in his palmarès classics such as the GP de Québec and Milano-Torino. Over his lengthy career, he's raced for outfits such as Team Sky, (currently named) Soudal - Quick-Step and lastly, EF Education-EasyPost which will the last jersey he will wear as a pro.

However, Urán is certainly not stepping away from the world of cycling as he is a superstar in Colombia, hosting the famous 'Giro de Rigo' cycling events, and also recently having his own show air in his home country 'Rigo'.

“I'm going to try to enjoy it, do my best in the races and ride every race as if it were my last." Which event will be his last? In recent months he's heavily suggested this could be the Olympic Games - where 12 years ago he came excruciatingly close to the gold medal.