In addition to the French doubleheader – Classic Sud Ardeche and La Drome Classic – Colombia-Coldeportes’ Escarabajos will take part in another one-day event in the weekend, GP Lugano.

An individual time trial between 1950 and 1979, won by the likes of Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, and Ercole Baldini, the Gran Premio di Lugano has been organised in the past 34 years as a one-day race with a challenging terrain, suited to fast puncheurs. In the past seasons, the race used a difficult and selective circuit, which will be run five times, for a total 194,9 km, also at this years’ edition. From the top of the last hill there will be less than 5 km to the finish, where the riders with an extra kick can give it all for the victory.
 
Sports Director Valerio Tebaldi will lead a strong and well-rounded line-up, with former Colombian National Champion Miguel Angel Rubiano, coming off the Vuelta a Andalucia, motivated to make an impact on Sunday’s race. Runner-up at the Tour de San Luis earlier in the season, Rodolfo Torres will also be in contention for the one-day event, encouraged by his 15th place in the last mountain stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia. 

“Miguel is in good condition after Andalucia, and will be our man in case the race comes down to a reduced sprint," Sports Director Tebaldi explained. "But we are not short of options, with Torres, Carlos Julian Quintero and Edward Diaz looking sharp at the moment. We feel in good position to make a solid display.”

Originally in the Lugano’s line-up was also Cayetano Sarmiento, who was later scratched due to the loss of his mother Marina, and will travel to Colombia in the next few hours.

Line-up:

Alex Cano, Edward Diaz, Fabio Duarte, Daniel Martinez, Sebastian Molano, Carlos Quintero, Miguel Angel Rubiano, Rodolfo Torres