It’s a real small feat. Alejandro Osorio, 25 years old and whose career in Europe has never taken off (two seasons with Caja Rural, a Spanish second division team, and three months with Bahrain-Victorious in 2022), became the 2024 Colombian champion on Sunday, ahead of Sergio Higuita and Egan Bernal. It is the biggest victory for the climber, accustomed to winning in lower level races in his country but who has here his first professional success.
But more than his CV, it was his manner that impressed. Osorio was part of the breakaway of the day, which played with the nerves of the best (5′ lead 70 km from the finish). Tired of waiting, Egan Bernal, Brandon Rivera (Ineos Grenadiers) and Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) came out in threes to plug the hole and get back to 1’25” at the start of the final lap (22 kilometers ) around Tunja. And the Higuita – Bernal duo took advantage of the last meters uphill to swallow everyone up. Except Osorio, the strongest on Sunday.
Belonging to a Colombian continental team, GW Erco Shimano, the new champion will not necessarily show the jersey much in Europe this year. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) finished 26th, in the bulk of the peloton, just ahead of Dani Martinez (Bora-Hansgrohe, 28th), crowned in the time trial on Thursday.
