Uran Back Among The Big Hitters

Resurgent Colombian enjoying return to form in the mountains

- Vern Pitt

Coming into July, Rigoberto Urán’s second place at the Giro d’Italia in 2014 seemed a long time ago. That race, where he was beaten to the win by Nairo  Quintana, appeared to signal a high point that he looked destined never to reach again.

Since then his performances in Grand Tours — chiefly the Giro, which he has favoured throughout his career — have been relatively anonymous (14th in 2015 and seventh in 2016) operating at a level below the top names of Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde that he was once cited as a competitor to. At 30 years old it was beginning to seem that the Colombian was fated not to reach those 2014 heights again and certainly not in a field bursting with Grand Tour talents like Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, Fabio Aru and Contador.

But as the Tour starts its decisive final week, Urán finds himself, at the time of writing, fourth overall and just half a minute off the lead. What’s more, Urán  has won his first Grand Tour stage since that 2014 Giro, and has been named by Chris Froome himself as a real threat to his jersey and a “dark horse for Tour victory”. Just as compatriot Quintana has faded, Colombian fans have found a new, old, face to cheer for.