Team Colombia has greeted the International Cycling Union (UCI) confirmation that it is to retain its Professional Continental status in 2013, by announcing the signing of Leonardo Duque. The combative 32-year-old from Cali, Colombia, has spent the last seven years of his nine year career with French team Cofidis; he finally gets to ride for a team from his own country, where he will be one of the most experienced.
Duque’s nine-year career has netted just eight victories, but numerous podiums and top ten placings, as well as a number of awards for his combativity. His best year to date was 2010, when he won the GP Cholet-Pays de Loire, finished fourth in the GP Ouest France, and seventh in the GP de Montréal; his biggest victory came in 2007 however, when he took the 16th stage of the Vuelta a España.
Having ridden at least one Grand Tour every year since signing with Cofidis in 2006, Duque will undoubtedly be an asset to the young team.
“With Duque, we get a solid all-rounder, who is capable to hold his own on different terrains and situation, but also a professional with a strong knowledge of European and GT racing,” said Team Colombia’s general manager Claudio Corti explained. “It’s not a mystery that debuting in three-week races is one of our 2013 goals, and we feel like Leonardo’s signing is a good step in that direction.”
Entering only its second year of existence, Team Colombia - which currently races as Colombia-Coldeportes - has made no secret of its intention to be awarded a wildcard for one of the three Grand Tours. Having received invitations to Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo and il Lombardia - all organised by Giro d’Italia owner RCS Sport - in 2012, the team will surely be among the favourites to make it into the big race next year.