Miguel Angel Rubiano is an experienced Colombian rider, but has never before driven at Team Colombia. He is now driving for the South American team and after 3 years in Italy, he is very happy about the news that Team Colombia was one of the lucky wildcard receivers.

Rubiano has spent his winter in Colombia, preparing himself for the upcoming season together with his new team. He will be a part of the Team Colombia roster that will take part of the Argentinian race Tour de San Luis. Rubiano is looking forward to attend the race, where he has won a stage and the climber’s classification.

“It’s a race I like, particularly as the weather is very hot – my favourite conditions” – Rubiano explained. “It will be a frantic race since day one, when the wind might splinter the peloton, so teams will have to watch out, as losing a minute year can mess up many riders’ plans. The second stage will bring the first uphill finish: the final climb is not that tough, but there will be dropped riders, and I think a small group finish could be in the cards. I believe the tough top finish in Cerro El Amago will shape the GC, along with the time trial: it is one for specialists, and climbers will have to work hard to limit losses.”

Rubiano has been with Androni - Giocattoli for two years and that has been a success. In his first season with the team, Rubiano won stage 6 of Giro d’Italia. He has settled very well with his new team.

“I am having an easy time blending into the team, as I have known the majority of my teammates since the youth ranks, and we met a number of times in the last few years as well. Work with the new technical staff is pretty smooth as well: I feel very much in tune with General Manager Claudio Corti, someone who really knows how to instil the right determination in his riders.”

“For a Colombian rider –Rubiano said – to compete with our Country’s name and colours on the jersey are really something. It’s a huge motivation, and it adds over to the great support we receive from our fans: in these months, I received a number of messages and talked to a lot of people, who told me how happy they are to see me finally riding in the team representing Colombia all over the world. And I am very happy too: there’s great mood into the team, and being all Colombians and knowing each other for so long really helps in communication and everyday routine. Now I really feel at home.” 

Rubiano is very happy with the wildcard and says it is very important for the team.

“We can’t express in words how important this wildcard is, for both us as a team and the whole Colombian cycling – I mean, it is huge. Our wish is to make a good path up to the Giro and manage to score some valuable results at the Corsa Rosa: I have already won a stage in my career (in Porto Sant’Elpidio, 2012), but raising arms in a Team Colombia jersey would be a completely different story.”

Team Colombia line-up for Tour de San Luis:

Juan Esteban Arango, Edwin Avila, Fabio Duarte, Leonardo Duque, Miguel Angel Rubiano and Juan Pablo Valencia