Nairo Quintana shines in Ecuador on his return to the road with Richard Carapaz

This Sunday, the capital of Ecuador, Quito, was the scene of the second edition of the "Giro de Italia Ride Like a Pro", a cycling event that brought together some 2,000 professional and amateur cyclists to ride through the streets and surroundings of the city. The Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana was the undisputed star of the day, conquering the hearts of participants and spectators.

Nairo Quintana, recognized champion of the 2014 Giro d'Italia, took on the challenge of the longest ride of the day, a 140-kilometer route that took participants through the most emblematic points of Quito and its surroundings, including the famous Mitad del Mundo monument. The route was divided into three distances: 90, 45 and 140 kilometers, all starting and finishing at the Bicentennial Park, located in the north of the city. The cyclists proudly wore the distinctive pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia, adding a special touch to the event.

Read also

Profile & Route Glasgow World Championships Men's Elite Road Race 2023

The festive atmosphere was present in the Bicentennial Park, where a leisure area was set up for spectators and participants, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and passion for cycling. The passion and determination of the cyclists filled the city with energy as they enthusiastically pedaled through the streets of Quito.

In an exciting meeting, Nairo Quintana coincided with another Ecuadorian cycling great, Richard Carapaz, champion of the 2019 Giro d'Italia. Carapaz is currently in Ecuador to recover from an injury that kept him out of the last Tour de France. The presence of both cyclists added a touch of excitement and admiration to the day.

Read also

Peter Sagan confirmed for final World Championships, joined by Slovakian national champion Matus Stocek

A day before the route, both Nairo Quintana and Richard Carapaz offered a free talk for fans, moderated by journalist Mario Sabato. This meeting was a unique opportunity for the fans to meet two of the most outstanding stars of world cycling and listen to their experiences and advice.

Nairo Quintana's participation in the event made him the godfather of this second edition of the "Giro de Italia Ride Like a Pro" in Quito. The previous year, the guest star was the renowned Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, champion of the Giro d'Italia in 2015. The presence of these international cycling figures demonstrates the importance and attractiveness of this event in the cycling community.

Read also

PREVIEW | Tour de Pologne 2023 stage 3 - 15% climb to decide important GC day

The "Giro de Italia Ride Like a Pro" in Quito has proven to be a special occasion to unite cyclists of different levels and backgrounds, celebrating the shared passion for cycling and the competitive spirit. The success of this second edition leaves an exciting expectation for future editions and consolidates Quito as a prominent destination on the world cycling calendar. The city continues to open its arms to cyclists and fans, while celebrating the magic of cycling with true champions like Nairo Quintana.

Read also

PREVIEW | Tour de l'Ain 2023 stage 1 - Marit, Stewart and Bouhanni among favourites for opening sprint stage

PREVIEW | Tour de l'Ain 2023 - Hugh Carthy the big favourite for the overall classification