Talented Colombian climber Santiago Umba heads to Astana Qazaqstan Team

The young Colombian rider Santiago Umba signed his first WorldTour contract with Astana Qazaqstan Team, where he is going to spend the following season. The 20-year-old is not a new face at the big European scene, having raced for Gianni Savio's PRT team for two years, before the team stepped down a level in 2023.

"I am incredibly happy to sign my first contract with the WorldTour team and to become a part of such a big project as Astana Qazaqstan Team. I am sure that Astana is the ideal team for me, and I think that I will be able to make a great progress here. I am ready to work hard, I am ready to gain experience at the highest level in order to become a true professional," said Umba in press release.

Umba got some notable results at U23 level, winning stages at Tour Alsace and Le Tour de Savoie in 2021 and finishing 10th overall at the Giro Next Gen 2023. Alongside, the rider got some valuable experience in the professional races such as Il Lombardia, Tour of the Alps ot Giro dell’Emilia.