Rigoberto Urán, announced his retirement after the 2024 season. Known for his dedication and commitment to the sport, Urán leaves a legacy of victories and inspiration for future generations of cycling.
On his team’s official page, EF Education-EasyPost, Urán revealed that he had been considering retirement for some time and highlighted: “As a cyclist, I believe the time has come to say: this is the end.” The announcement provoked reactions among cycling fans, marking the end of his almost 23-year career dedicated to the sport.
Although retirement was a natural step, Urán acknowledged that the decision was not easy: “It was a decision that required a lot of thought and reflection on my part. The truth is, it’s scary. Cycling has given me everything in life. Almost 23 years ago, I would get up, drink coffee and get on my bike. I was part of a team that took me to the main competitions in the world.”
Urán’s Victories and Career Retrospective
Urán initially turned professional in 2006 with the Tenax-Salmilano team. He later rode for Unibet.com (2007), Caisse d’Epargne (2008-2010), Sky (2011-2013), Omega-Pharma Quick-Step and Etixx Quick-Step (2014-2015).
In 2016, he joined Jonathan Vaughters’ team, called Cannondale at the time, and since then, he has remained loyal to that team, which is now known as EF Education-EasyPost. During his career, Urán won at least one stage in each of the three grand tours, also achieving notable victories in competitions such as the Volta a Catalunya and Tour de Suisse, and triumphing in 2015 at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec.
Despite these achievements, Urán is perhaps best remembered for his second-place finishes: at the London 2012 Olympic Games, he won a silver medal; five years later he finished second in the Tour de France; and also obtained two runner-up finishes in the Giro d’Italia in 2013 and 2014.
Post-retirement activities
Staying busy will not be a problem for Urán after retirement. As a beloved national figure in Colombia (with millions of followers on Instagram), he has his own clothing brand, owns several restaurants, and hosts a number of Gran Fondo’s. With his charisma and dedication, he will certainly continue to exert a strong presence and influence on the sport he loves so much.
