A year ago, before the general quarantine across the world, Sergio Andrés Higuita confirmed his status as a world elite cyclistThe Antioquian, born in the heart of the Castilla neighborhood of Medellín – one of the most popular areas of the city, where the legendary goalkeeper of the Colombian national team, René Higuita, was also born (they are not related, they are the same only for the neighborhood and the surname) – showed his skills among the strongest of the Colombian expedition, shining on the Tunja circuit until he won the tricolour jersey of national champion and, subsequently, the victory of Colombia Tour which ended in Bogotá on February 16.
City Climber
Higuita, who he had never won a race in his country, in fact, inaugurated his palmares in the two most important events and, in turn, became the first Colombian cyclist to achieve the prestigious double. In the highlands of the Cundiboyacense region (halfway between Cundinamarca and Boyaca), the cyclist forged on the asphalt of the city and far from the countless stories of the countryside, he realized the dream he always chased, since his debut in the Ramguiflex Risaltex and 4-72 teams. However, the harsh reality of the pandemic, which worsened a month after his victories, did not leave the talented rider of the EF Pro Cycling time to savor the taste of victory.
Covid and stop
He just had time to show off his Italian flag at Paris-Nice and captivate the cycling world with a splendid performance (best young rider and podium with German Schachmann and Belgian Benoot). Then came the quarantine and the competitive vacuum. A five-month trance plagued by uncertainty, with the only certainty of having the support of his team and training on the rollers which included participation in some virtual races.
The first Tour
The rebirth came at the Dauphiné and his first participation in the Tour de France, ended in the 15th stage due to the (unintentional) carelessness of Bob Jungels, during the stage that ended at the Grand Colombier. Then, although he still had the signs of the accident, he took part in the Imola World Championships, represented the country and finished his season in the Flèche Wallonne.
Debut in the UAE
2020 has passed, but the pandemic has continued. The Italian flag will remain on his chest, and the Tour Colombia will retain him as its last winner. He was preparing for the national championship in Pereira, but plans changed. Will open the year at UAE Tour with Daniel Arroyave and Rigoberto Urán.
«With the postponement of the national championships plans have changed completelyBut we already have the experience of what we went through last year (with the pandemic) and we know how to prepare ourselves physically and mentally.UAE The Tour is a very important race, we are going to give our best with very good preparation", said the 23-year-old Colombian, who will have to tackle, before the Tour de France and the Olympics, prestigious races such as Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo, the Basque Country and the Ardennes Classics: Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
Tokyo is calling
«I think we have a clear opportunity to be champions in these OlympicsColombia has always done very well on the road, with Rigo (Rigoberto Uran, silver in London 2012, ed.) and Sergio Luis (Henao, ed.) who was unlucky enough to fall, but had done everything perfectly. We also have a great opportunity in Tokyo", underlined Higuita, who will go to the Tour to support his leader and friend Rigoberto Uran.
«The team will give me the opportunity to go looking for stages, which is what I wantBut I'll also be there for Rigo for whatever he needs," said Sergio. The rider who dreams of giving the country its first Olympic road gold medal.
