"At this time there is no one to replace us" - Rigoberto Urán worries about lack of stars in emerging Colombian generation

With the end of Nairo Quintana and Miguel Ángel López' stints at the top level and the lack of new emerging talents, Rigoberto Uran argues that Colombia's future in cycling isn't looking as bright for years to come.

"The reality is that we don't have any good cyclists in Colombia. Many cyclists have gone to Europe and they only last one or two years. They are not able to adapt to the pace of the race and they send them back here," Urán said in an interview with TeleMedellín. Sergio Higuita, Daniel Martínez and Santiago Buitrago were named as the riders who have recently succeeded, but the stream of Colombian talents is stopping the EF Education-EasyPost rider worries. 

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He's mentioned talented riders such as Rodrigo Contreras, Alejandro Osorio, Hernando Bohórquez, Cristian Muñoz and Juan Diego Alba but how they didn't succeed in establishing themselves in the peloton. Often, after struggling to achieve results, the riders return to Colombia to race at Continental level with little hopes of returning to the top level. 

"It is worrying, because at this time there is no one to replace us," Urán concluded. On his side, he regained a good spot at the headline last year as he won a stage at the Vuelta a España. He's been at home in Colombia preparing for the 2023 season which is yet unclear when it will start, following the national championships.

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Startlist Cyclocross World Championships Hoogerheide 2023 - Women/Men Elite, Women/Men Under-23, Women/Men Junior, Mixed Relay