Rider Profile
Rigoberto Urán has transformed himself from a consistent performer to one of the world’s elite tour climbers and one-day contenders during his first two years with Team Sky. Time in the white jersey at the Tour de France in 2011 provided a platform for the Colombian to step up last season, placing seventh overall at the Giro d’Italia and claiming the young rider’s white jersey at the finish.
2012 also marked the season where Urán translated potential into top-of-the-podium finishes, winning a stage at the Volta a Catalunya and ending the season with a win at Gran Piemonte. Two podium finishes at Il Lombardia, as well as a top five at Liege-Bastogne-Liege hint at a man who could take Team Sky’s first monument.
Q & A
Who inspired you to start cycling?
My father.First bike:
It was blue.First cycling club:
Urrao Cycling Club (now named The Rigoberto Urán Cycling Corporation in his honour)Childhood hero:
No heroesWhat do you love most about cycling?
I feel lucky to be able to make a living from the main passion in my life. Every day I enjoy it to the max, whether that's training or racing.What has cycling taught you?
Everything. It's been my university. It's shown me how to live with other people, how to work as a team.Previous teams:
2006 Team Tenax Salmilano; 2007 Unibet.com; 2008-2010 Caisse d'Epargne.Favourite race:
The one-day races, especially Il Lombardia.
Favourite ride:
I'll always remember my first win at the 2007 Tour de Suisse.If you weren't a rider, what would you be?
A student, but it's hard to imagine my life outside cycling.Interests away from cycling:
Being a cyclist is not living in the real world and my life will only really begin once I've finished cycling.Favourite film:
ComediesFavourite music:
I can't pick one because music is an intrinsic part of my life. I always have it on.Who makes you laugh the most on Team Sky?
We're an incredibly serious team and no joking goes on at all (laughs).
Career Highlights
2007
Colombian Time Trial Championships - 2nd; Euskal Bizikleta - 1st stage two (b); Tour de Suisse - 1st stage seven
2008
Volta a Catalunya - 2nd overall; Tour of Germany - 2nd stage three; Tour de Pologne - 3rd stage one (TTT); Il Lombardia - 3rd
2009
Tour de Romandie - 5th overall, 2nd stage three
2010
Giro d'Italia - 7th stage (TT); Tour de Suisse - 2nd stage three; Vuelta a España - 5th stage 11
2011
Volta a Catalunya - 5th overall; Liege-Bastogne-Liege - 5th; GP de Quebec - 3rd; Tour de France - 4th stage four and four days in young riders jersey
2012
Giro d'Italia - 7th overall (1st Young Rider); Gran Piemonte - 1st; Volta a Catalunya - 1st Stage 4, 5th overall; Olympic Games Road Race - 2nd; Il Lombardia - 3rd
