If you thought Colombian fans only go crazy for their 'home' stars then think again. Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso flew in on Thursday as guests at the Colombia Oro y Paz race and have been mobbed by the public and the media ever since.
The Colombian Cycling Federation had hoped to have Polartec-Kometa, the new Continental squad managed by Basso under the umbrella of the Contador Foundation, at the inaugural edition of the Oro y Paz, but they already had commitments at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Keen to get in early next time, the federation's president has proclaimed Polartec-Kometa as the first team on the start line in 2019.
Contador hasn't slowed down since retirement, travelling the world to fulfil a long list of sponsorship and ambassadorial commitments, along with investing much more of his time into his Foundation.
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"Now it's pure enjoyment," he said. "The truth is I feel super fortunate for all this I'm able to enjoy."
Contador looked visibly shocked in Buga after stage 3 when he tried to make his way away from the podium area, only for a crowd of fans to charge in his direction. The selfies and interviews have barely stopped, and indeed the race put on a half-hour press conference with him and Basso on Friday evening.
"It's amazing the affection everyone's shown me since I arrived. Wherever I've gone in the world I've always been treated well by Colombians, as if I were one of their own, so I'm thrilled to be able to come here and get to know them," said Contador.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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