In 2014 Rigoberto Uran will change his Sky jersey for an Omega Pharma-Quick Step tunic as he is seeking more personal opportunities in the stage races. However, the talented Colombian still hasn't decided whether he will do the Giro d'Italia or the Tour de France.
Rigoberto Uran proved that his a potential grand tour winner when he finished 2nd behind a dominant Vincenzo Nibali in the 2013 Giro d'Italia. The Colombian took his own opportunity when team captain Bradley Wiggins was forced out of the race and made sure that Sky was in the mix in a race that could have been a real disaster for the ambitious British team.
With Chris Froome being the world's dominant stage racer and Richie Porte emerging as a future grand tour winner, Uran faced a situation where he would have few personal opportunities at Team Sky. He made the decision to join Omega Pharma-Quick Step, with the Belgian team being keen to have an impact in GCs in future stage races.
When the contract was announced, it was claimed that Uran would lead the Belgian team in the Tour de France but since then, the race schedule has been less clear. Uran has played with the thought of doing the Giro and Thomas De Gendt recently said that he planned to ride the Italian grand tour in support of his Colombian captain.
The idea of sending Uran to the Giro could have been spurred on by Mark Cavendish's plans for the Tour. La Grande Boucle starts with three stages in England and the first stage finishes near Cavendish's mother's home in Harrogate. This could prompt the team to focus solely on the sprints in France this summer.
This would see Uran return to the Giro whose mountainous course suits the Colombian well. However, manager Patrick Lefevere recently said that Cavendish can't expect to be the sole leader in future grand tours and that Uran and the British sprinter have to learn how to share the responsibility.
Nothing appears to be guaranteed yet and Uran has confirmed to La Vanguardia that he still hasn't made up his mind. He plans to make a decision in the near future.
"We have not decided my 2014 schedule yet," he said. "The Giro? The Tour de France? The choice is difficult. I will make a decision at the first team training camp where we will plan the first part of the season."
Uran had a fine 2013 season. In addition to his 2nd place and stage win at the Giro, he was 2nd on a stage in the Vuelta a Espana. He was in contention for the rainbow jersey and had made the decisive selection in the road race in Florence but crashed out of the group in heartbreaking fashion.
"We have not decided on my program in 2014. tour? Tour de France ? The choice is difficult. Anyway I will decide during the first training camp with the team and there will agree the first part of my season. "
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