Will Rigoberto Uran succeed where others like Usain Bolt before him have failed? In 2018, the eight-time Olympic champion tried his luck in football with the clubs of Dortmund (Germany), Stromsgodset (Norway) and the Central Coast Mariners (Australia)… without success. The 37-year-old Colombian has also given himself this goal of reconversion after cycling: to become a professional footballer.
“I’m going to give everything to become a professional footballer, it’s a dream that I haven’t realized, I want to try and see what happens,” he announced in an interview with El Colombiano, occasion of the nomination of his television series ”Rigo” for the prestigious Emmy Awards ceremony. That’s my goal. I have nothing to lose. I think outside the box but I like to try things. »
“I am leaving this sport at peace with myself”
Before considering joining the Colombian national team one day, why not, the one who finished on the podium of the 2017 Tour de France (2nd) must first recover from his fall (hit in the hip) on the Tour of Spain, the last race of his career. “I have nothing serious,” he always explains to El Colombiano, before reconsidering the decision to retire. I had planned to end my career in Madrid, but I had the encouragement of my family, my team, my friends… So I am leaving this sport at peace with myself. »
Throughout his 20-year career, Rigoberto Uran has carved out a big track record made up of 14 victories (including stage victories on the three Grand Tours and the Grand Prix du Québec) but above all many places on the podiums. He was notably Olympic vice-champion in 2012 and 2nd in the Tour of Italy twice (2013 and 2014).
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