José Serpa wants to remain active for "about two years" and try to "win the Tour of Colombia" in his home country. It marks a new phase of his career after the Lion of Bucaramanga has competed in Europe for a decade, first with the Androni and with Lampre-Merida in recent seasons.

Two days ago Serpa (1979) wrote that he hd ended "a cycle in my life." on his Facebook page. It was largely interpreted as an announcement of his retirement. However, that was a wrong suggestion. "I will spend time with my family, but continue in cycling. I have been in Europe for many years and now I want to ride here," he tells El Tiempo.

"I put something on social networks about saying goodbye to Europe where I have been riding a lot for several years, but I'm not retiring because I want to ride in Colombia for about two years," the Colombian told the newspaper.

Serpa still has goals to accomplish. "I want to win the Vuelta a Colombia. I have never raced in my country. The goal is to go for the title if I feel good," he said after doing seven Giros, three and one Vuelta.

For weeks, there was speculation that he will join the Orgullo Antioqueno continental team but it has never been officially confirmed and Serpa denies the rumours.