First training on distance on the Iseo Lake (Bergamo) for Colombia Coldeportes on Wednesday February 8: the 16 riders, directed by Valerio Tebaldi and Oscar Pellicioli, took chance of some relief from the great cold investing Italy (the temperature was around 4-5 degrees) for a 5-hour bunch ride. “After Donoratico, the weather didn’t allow us to work the way we would have liked to – explained DS Tebaldi -, but still we managed to save condition ahead our second race. From Wednesday, we could start working on our training programs, and will keep doing that up till the Tirreno-Adriatico.”

On Friday February 10^th, the Team will fly to Calabria to take part to in the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria on February 11th and 12^th. DS Valerio Tebaldi’s line-up for the race will feature: Robinson Chalapud, Esteban Chavez, Juan Pablo Forero, Fabio Duarte, Jarlinson Pantano, Victor Hugo Peña, Carlos Quintero, Michael Rodriguez, Jeffry Romero and Juan Pablo Suarez.

Differently from the debut race in Donoratico, the two-day event in Southern Italy will finally present some of the Escarabajos’ favorite terrain, and Claudio Corti’s guys are already looking forward to it. Tebaldi continued: “In Calabria we will find several short climbs: the first stage features an uphill finish that could suit our characteristics – and particularly Fabio Duarte’s ones.”

“Fabio has a pretty good sprint, that could favor him in case a drappel goes for victory in the finale. He is going to be our leader for this races, along with Esteban Chaves,” Tebaldi stated. “As soon as they find the first climbs, I am sure my riders will start feeling into their own and showing their potentiality, despite a 100% condition is still far to reach. I am confident our colors will show up in the lead positions.”

Team’s Accomodation: Hotel Regent, Via del Mercato n. 9 – Reggio Calabria (Italy)

Photo: Fabio Duarte is looking to perform well in Reggio Calabria