Vuelta de la Juventud 2015-Teams and riders to follow
The 48th edition of Vuelta de la Juventud kicks off Monday – April 20 – and will showcase the majority of Colombias premier talent over 7 stages that will take the riders from the opening stage in Dosquebradas tackling some tough famed climbs like Alto Boquerón (El Tambo), Concordia, and Alto de Minas, to the final stage into La Estrella on April 27.
The race is regarded as the most pristigious U23 event on the Latin continent, the young up-and coming prospects will tackle hard mountain passes fully equivalent to anything on the European circuit.
Vuelta de la Juventuds Honour Rolls mix an impressive record of history and fine cycling pedegree. Past winners include!
Rafael Antonio Niño (1970), Fabio Parra (1979), Álvaro Mejía (1988), Oliverio Rincón (1989), Iván Parra (1995 and 1997), Mauricio Soler (2004), Fabio Duarte (2005 and 2006), Sergio Luis Henao (2008), Carlos Betancur (2009), Miguel Ángel López (2014)…
The main teams and riders to watch for in this year’s Vuelta de la Juventud:
Antioqueño-Lotería Medellín -IDEA – One contender whose year to date has been anything but quiet is Wilson Cardona. The 19 year old prospect from Libano – Tolima won the Clásica Héroes de la Patria earlier this season and recently finished 12th on GC at Clasica de Anapoima. Cardona will also have a strong and united ANT team behind him. Brayan Sanchez and Oscar Quiroz are two excellent riders capable of delivering on their own hand, and this trio gives Antioqueño squad several cards to play in the overall classification.
GW Shimano-Choyang Envia – Aldemar Reyes has already established himself as one of the leading Colombian prospects of his generation. A. Reyes is well known for his impressive physical capability going uphill and enters this race as one of the biggest favorites for overall glory. Flanked by Jhonatan Ospina and Wildy Sandoval, GW Shimano looks up for the task again this year.
Loteria Boyaca-Raza De Campeones – Team Director Rafael Acevedo, has yet again assembled a formidable team of outstanding talent. Jorge Ivan Gomez, Miguel Florez and Cristian Camilo Cubides all possess tremendous potential, and it wouldn’t be a surprise seeing one of them emerge as the huge revelation of this 2015 edition. A very well rounded squad which should deliver widely across the board.
EPM-TIGO – In John Anderson Rodriguez, the team possesses one of the most all-round Colombian prospects around. At the recent Clasica de Anapoima, Rodriguez, impressed highly and showed exellent form to take third overall on GC. EPM also brings Kevin Rios (Vuelta Porvenir winner back in 2011), who will look to impose his powerful physic on the flat and try to go for a stage-win along the way.
Coldeportes Claro – With Rodrigo Contreras and German Enrique Chaves, Coldeportes Claro lines up with two of the perhaps biggest contenders for the overall crown. While Contreras, already has secured his place on the World Tour in 2016 (With Etixx-Quick Step), Chavez is still looking for a European ride and will do his best to insure his stock-market increases with a solid ride here. Coldeportes also consists off lighting fast Fernando Gaviria, who will be looking to add a stage-win to his tally.
Manzana Postobon – Manzana Postobon – Manzana Postobon – Team director Luis Fernando Saldarriaga is regarded as one of the best and most talented directors around. Manzana Postobon are well know for their internal testing and approach for clean racing… Talented Antioqueño, Juan Filipe Osorio, recently returned to the team after a brief adventure in Italy and will look to build his form for the upcoming Ronde Isard in France. Hernan Aguirre and Ruben Urbano are two capable climbers who can animate things uphill and should try to go for a stage-win. Y. Santofimio and W. Parades adds ammunition to a very, very strong squad.
Movistar Team America – Movistar Team America – Diego Antonio Ochoa leads the squad in its attempt to secure a stage win or two. Yuber Contreras and Luis Miguel Martinez, are the teams hope for a good GC placing and especially Yuber Contreras, are being reported to be in good form.
Jakob Lloreda
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