Vuelta al Táchira set to take place in January despite geopolitical turmoil and US invasion

Away from the world of cycling, it was a packed week when it comes to geopolitical news. The USA launched an aerial invasion on Venezuela and captured its leader Nicolas Maduro, who has since been taken to the United States of America for trial. What does that mean to the country's top race, the Vuelta al Táchira? Nothing, apparently, as it will likely still be held in the upcoming weeks. 

Professional cycling races near active combat zones are a topic that has emerged over the past year, although it can be argued that this is a different situation to that which took place at the Tour du Rwanda last year. At that time, the teams would be racing and sleeping in areas only dozens of kilometers away from where the Rwanda-backed M23 movement was conducting acts of war in the nearby Democratic Republic of Congo. 

In Venezuela's case, there isn't currently combat in Caracas, however only days ago American helicopters flew over the capital whilst missiles were aimed at several targets in the country. It is an evolving situation, but although the race and its riders might not be directly threatened by it, there are travel worries for several foreign teams that are set to make the trip to Venezuela. The evolving situation may also, at some point during the race, but it in jeopardy or force a cancelation. 

Race organizer Josmer Cuadros has told ACN that “the Vuelta al Táchira will take place without any modification and from next Wednesday we will have the first foreign teams in San Cristóbal. There is no change in the route of the ten stages and José Gregorio Freites, the sole authority of Tachira sport, is in permanent contact with those in charge of the security operation to carry out the race without any setbacks". 

The race will begin, if all goes to plan, this Friday 9th of January in the city of San Cristobal, and most of it will take place between that and the city of Merida all the way until the 18th of January. It is the first official UCI stage-race of the year.