On January 10, 2024, with the opening of the official season of Team GW Erco Shimano, the fruits of a novel project that focuses on young Colombian cycling talent began to be reaped.
The 1-2 of Alejandro Osorio and Diego Pescador in the traditional Manizales Fair circuit was the beginning of a series of victories and significant achievements that have propelled the team to the top of the UCI America ranking, with a total of 251 points.
The successful harvest began in the capital of Caldense, but the sum to reach first place in the international ranking took shape with the wonderful presentation in the Vuelta al Táchira, where Alejandro Osorio – the most winning cyclist so far this year – managed to win a victory in the eighth stage, and Brandon Rojas the title of best youngster with an appreciable 14th place in the general classification. Andrés Pinzón finished sixth.
The National Championship and the Tour Colombia ended up ratifying the stellar moment of the entire team: Alejandro Osorio and Brandon Rojas achieved a historic golden double in the elite and sub-23 long-distance events, while in the resurgence of the most important stage race America, ‘Pony’ Osorio became the first cyclist from continental teams to win a stage victory.
“I think the main thing we have in Colombia is young talent. We are bringing young cyclists to Europe. For example, Pescador is from that litter that started at the age of 17, like Colorado and Guatibonza who is already in the UAE Team Emirates. It’s about believing in all these guys and having people support us,” said general manager Luis Alfonso Cely, who is enjoying the best start to the season in the history of the project sponsored by HA Bicicletas, the Shimano and Erco components company. clean energy company that has its first experience in the world of cycling.
In total, Team GW Erco Shimano added five victories (Manizales, Táchira, Nacional (x2) and Tour Colombia) and three podiums (Manizales, Tuta and CRI Nacional Sub-23). In addition, the under-23 titles, points and team podium were achieved in Táchira.
A fantastic month. A first cycle that has closed and that opens the way to new challenges on the national calendar and the international tour in Italy.
Ranking UCI América
