Martín Emilio 'Cochise' Rodríguez, the Colombian cycling monster who turns 80 today

The history of Colombian cycling has been written slowly, but very solidly since coffee growers began to show themselves in different competitions, starting in the same country when the famous Vuelta a Colombia was born in 1951, the year in which Efraín 'El Zipa' Forero opened the competition with a historic victory.

Although the national round was not the opening to the creation of competitions in the country, it was there that the fame of many riders who were outstanding in other departmental and interdepartmental races would finally take off.

Other cyclists were pedaling outside Colombia, being great references at the start of the Vuelta al Táchira in 1966 in Venezuela, when paisa Martín Emilio 'Cochise' Rodríguez, who already enjoyed a good reputation in the national squad after coming to win, won the title, but also being one of the main references given that Colombia swept away in the first edition of the most important race in the neighboring country.

'Cochise' would later be the owner of two more editions of Táchira in 1968 and 1971, when other Colombians had won it in the editions that were not there. However, 1970 marks a historic moment for national pedalism when Martín managed to take the hour record at the age of 28 at the Agustín Melgar velodrome in Mexico City.

At that time he said about how he got the legendary title, after almost failing in the attempt:

He achieved the record after pedaling for 47 kilometers, 563 meters and 24 centimeters beating Mongens Frey Jensen from Denmark who had won this victory the previous year with 39 meters and 45 centimeters shorter than the Colombian.

The track would be a terrain in which he would follow his path of victories later becoming South American champion, Pan American and Bolivarian champion, but it would be in 71 the year in which he would strike a certain blow to the status of Colombian cycling when he became world champion in the 4000 meters individual pursuit in Italy.

His road cycling journey not only continued to be written in a great way when it became known that the one born in Medellín, Antioquia was going to be exhibited at the Giro d'Italia in 1973, because in addition to what it meant to have the star cyclist in one of the great tours, on June 6 of that year 'Cochise' would win the first victory of stage for Colombia in a great round such as Corsa Rosa.

At that time cycling was clearly dominated by Europeans who at that time saw how Belgian Eddy Merckx took all the competitions. Martín Emilio filled the hearts of Colombians with pride who were already ecstatic to see how the stellar world champion left Colombia's name high on Italian roads and before the giants of the time in cycling.

That same year he would be champion of the Camaiore City Grand Prix in Italy and the Baracchi Trophy. Two years later he would repeat the great feat of winning stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia.

Martín also participated in the Tour de France in 1975, finishing in the general standings in 27th place, being the last year in which he would be seen competing in a European grand tour.

Martín Emilio 'Cochise' Rodríguez has been the inspiration of many of the country's cyclists who found in him the spark to give the first pedal stroke in order to be professionals, to the point that Colombia today becomes one of the world powers in this sport.

Today on its 80th birthday, Colombian cycling remembers the exploits of a great one who continues to pedal today to help the youngest cyclists who aspire to make their own path in pedal sport.

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