There are no Colombian riders in the Tour of the Alps’ roll of honor: a statistic that sounds a little odd for a country worldwide renowned for the quality of its climbers.
In 2021, Nairo Quintana finished 7th place overall in the stage race organized by the GS Alto Garda, and his younger compatriot, Miguel Angel Lopez, will be the next to try to change this trend, from April 18th to 22nd.
Team Astana Qazaqstan’s rider took part in the 2018 edition of the Tour of the Alps, conquering the queen stage in Alpe di Pampeago and finishing third in the overall standings. In 2022, the Colombian athlete from the region of Boyaca, included the Tour of the Alps and the Giro d’Italia in his season calendar.
“The TotA is the final step in my preparation for the Giro. I reached the final podium and won a stage at the Tour of the Alps. I can say that this year we will face a very difficult challenge: I have seen the profiles of the stages, the third and fourth stages will be key to the fight for the overall standings, but all the other stages are exhausting and difficult too”.
Two more Italian races characterized the early part of the season of the Colombian rider, Strade Bianche and Tirreno Adriatico.
“I like to compete in Italy, I like these races, these roads. Giro d'Italia is a great race, but, I also like the Tour of the Alps”, said ‘Superman’, Lopez’s nickname in the peloton.
“I think my season started in a good way at the Vuelta a Andalusia, but at the Tirreno-Adriatico things didn’t go as planned: however, all my main goals are ahead in the year. After a short period home with my family, I am ready for the final part of the preparation", commented Lopez. - "Tour of the Alps is an ideal option for preparing and checking my condition before a big event like the Giro d'Italia. On such a route, you can work out on finding the right feelings in the stages’ finals, in order to be 100% ready by the beginning of May".
On the occasion of his debut at the Tour of the Alps, in 2018, the athlete of Pesca was twenty-four years old and he was just approaching the first stage races. Now, Lopez is 28 years old aims to win his first Grand Tour after stepping on the final podium at Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
“I have matured and gained some valuable experience, which helps me in racing. But, at the same time, the job is not done yet, I’m still striving for successes, for victories, and I do not want to stop now”.
The message from ‘Superman’ sounds like a warning for his rivals. Athletes who aspire to grab the green jersey in Lienz – and then to win the ‘Maglia Rosa’ in Verona – will have to deal with a serious contender: Miguel Angel Lopez.
