Another pink dream just came true for Team Colombia, as RCS Sport has announced the name of the three wildcard teams completing the field of the 97th Giro d’Italia. For the second year in a row, the team managed by Claudio Cortiwill be at the start of the Corsa Rosa, this year happening in Belfast (Northern Ireland) on May 9th, 2014.
Other selected teams were Neri-Yellow Fluo and Bardiani-CSF.
General Manager Claudio Corti received the news while in Colombia, and expressed his delight for the important vote of confidence granted by RCS Sport: “We were excited of receiving the wildcard 12 months ago, but this time it might be even more thrilling: last year it was our debut, but this time receiving this wildcard means a lot more in comparison, it means that we managed to show the real value of our project, in technical, professional and organizational terms. Reaching the top in the sports world is never easy, but managing to stay there is really the hardest part: now we have one more year of experience and maturation, and we will show what we are really able to do.”
Corti immediately reached to Coldeportes’ president – and Colombian Sports Minister – Andres Botero, who didn’t hide his utter excitement and is already looking forward to see the Escarabajos back in action in Italy: “2013 was a real breakthrough year for Colombian cycling as a whole, and I feel this wildcard nod as an acknowledgement of the role of Colombia in today’s World cycling. Colombia established itself among the top movements in the sport, and this project is a big part of it. I can’t wait to see them at the Giro again!”
Fabio Duarte also expressed his excitement ahead of travelling to Argentina for the Tour de San Luis: “I am very happy, I was very confident this news would come. I believed in our chances for the confidence I have in Claudio Corti, who made a great job in leading this team to the highest level in organizational quality: we owe him a lot, and we need to thank him. We are obviously grateful to Coldeportes and the Colombian Olympic Committee, that made this project come to life in first place, and all the supporters who helped us with the #Colombia4Giro campaign: once again they have been a huge part of this outcome, and I really want them to know it.”
Today, Team Colombia will reach Argentina, where their third season in the pro ranks will start: “Now we have one more motivation to hit the ground running,” Duarte stated.
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.