Rigoberto Urán Confirms He’ll Retire This Year

Today, Rigoberto Urán (EF Education-EasyPost) announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024 season.

"As a cyclist, I believe the time has come to say: we have reached the end," said Urán in an interview with his team before the Tour Colombia. "It has taken me a long time to come to this decision. It is something I have thought long and hard about. The truth is that it is scary. Cycling has given me everything in life. For almost 23 years, my aim was to get up, eat breakfast, and ride my bike. I was a part of a team that took me to the major races around the world. Now that is going to end."

The three-time Grand Tour runner-up's decision comes weeks after he told Buen Día Colombia that he would end his cycling career after the upcoming Paris Olympics.

"I will keep racing until next year. I'll do the Olympics, and then ciao," said the Colombian, according to Velo.

With this decision settled, Urán's 19-year professional career is punctuated by 14 pro race wins, a silver medal, second overall at the 2017 Tour de France and the 2013 and 2014 Giro d'Italia, and stage wins in the aforementioned Grand Tours.

In addition to his cycling accomplishments, Urán is very successful outside the peloton. He is the inspiration for the highly successful 80-episode telenovela "Rigo" based on his early years, his own clothing brand, gran fondos, restaurants, and millions of Instagram followers.

Before shifting his attention to his business ventures, Urán still plans to give this cycling season his all.

"I'm going to try to enjoy it, give my best in the races, and race every one like it is my last," Rigo said. "This season will be a thank you, a thank you very much. I only have gratitude for the team, for all the people, all the many coaches and many teammates who were always there to help me over the past 20-plus years."