Remainder of Vuelta a Colombia cancelled - Organisers release statement confirming decision after earthquake strikes country
CyclingFriday, 14 August 2026 at 16:00
The Vuelta a Colombia has been ended after a devastating earthquake struck the country, leading to all stakeholders making the decision to end the 76th edition of the race prematurely.
A 7.4 magnitude quake struck the country on Monday and 273 people have been killed while hundreds are still missing as the South American's country's infrastructure and emergency services attend to those injured and affected.
Nine stages were planned, but Wednesday's stage 5 proved the final stage with stage 6 cancelled before organisers announced the cancellation. Diego Camarga was announced winner of the general classification after taking victory during the mountain stage.
“In light of the circumstances that arose during the race and the situation the country is currently facing as a result of the recent earthquake in Colombia," the Colombian Federation said in a statement.
Colombian Cycling Federation releases statement confirming cancellation
"The decision has been made to bring the 2026 Vuelta a Colombia, its 76th edition, to an end."
The route of subsequent stages were interrupted by road access and emergency services availability, the federation said the decision was taken after discussions with road authorities and other parties involved in the race.
The safety of riders, teams, staff, authorities, media and fans were considered among the priorities.
Transport and emergency services need roads open
The road corridor connecting Antioquia, Caldas and Risaralda were among the important factors in the decision and needed to be available for passenger traffic, transport and emergency response following the earthquake.
Camargo had taken the lead on Wednesday as he won a notable 165km mountain stage from Ibagué to Alto El Sifón.
With over 4,600 metres of climbing, and a finish above 4,100 metres, the stage caught attention due to the whopping 78.6-kilometer climb at an average of 4.6-percent gradient to the finish.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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