"European cycling is different to what we're used to" - Sergio Higuita tries to ease Colombian cycling after recent difficulties
Cycling
Colombia has been having a few rough months when it comes to cycling, with the amount of riders travelling to Europe lessening, and the cases of Miguel Ángel López and Nairo Quintana worsening the nation's look on the sport.
"We need to stay calm. I think people are anxious at the moment because they want Colombian cycling to keep achieving like it has done in recent years," Higuita said told Cyclingnews. "But we have to look at countries like France, for example, where they haven't won the Tour de France for many years. Meanwhile, Slovenia is a country that didn't have a big history, but it's very successful now.
A natural phase, Higuita says. The BORA - hansgrohe was one of the most recent stars to have been scouted in Colombia and signed by the main World Tour teams where he's so far achieved plenty success. Like him many other riders appeared over the last decade including Quintana, López, Egan Bernal, Rigobert Uran, Esteban Chaves and many more.
However as of late, not as many young talents have made the move: "It means that the general level of world cycling is very high now, so you need to have a bit of patience. The most important thing in Colombia is that we keep on developing young cyclists. That's the key."
Whilst the presence of Miguel Ángel López may now bring more exposure to the Colombian field, the distance and logistical problems always provide an immediate obstacle for riders looking to develop their life in Europe.
"It's complicated because European cycling is different to what we're used to. In one way, it's a bit easier these days, because European teams want more and more Colombian riders. But it's also very difficult at the same time because they want young Colombian riders to arrive in Europe and perform at a very high level immediately," Higuita argues.
Read also
"WorldTour teams are now signing very young riders, who are maybe skipping under-23 level altogether, and that doesn't necessarily suit Colombian riders. For riders like Egan, Dani and me, when we came to Europe first, we raced at Continental or ProContinental level before going to the WorldTour," the 25-year old continues.
"I think it's something WorldTour managers need to think about, like Jonathan Vaughters did with me, for example. He had me ride for six months with Euskaltel to adapt to European racing before I moved on to EF. I think an adaptation period like that is necessary for Colombian riders, because we're coming into a new culture, and that's not easy."
Higuita is currently racing the Vuelta a San Juan where he will look to be one of the main contenders for the overall classification win. Today's stage finishes up the Alto Colorado where the climbers will have their best opportunity to test their early-season form.
Read also
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
Loading
🇦🇷 #VueltaSJ2023 📝 REPORT: Vuelta a San Juan: @HiguitSergio remains in a promising position in the GC Read more here 👉 bit.ly/3DcEjWU 📸: @sprintcycling
Write a comment