In December last year, when the managers of Astana gathered to define the objectives of this season, Miguel Ángel López knew that he would be the 'kingpin of racks' for the Giro d'Italia. Since then, the Colombian cyclist's calendar has been focused on getting ready physically to fight for the overall classification of the 'Corsa Rosa'.
The boyacense season began in mid-February, with his participation in two one-day races, in Spain: the Cycling Tour of the Region of Murcia and the classic Jaén Paraiso Interior. And then he said 'present' at the Vuelta a Andalucía, where he finished third overall, 15 seconds behind Dutch Wout Poels.
At the end of his careers in Spanish territory, 'Superman' left for Italy, where he first participated in the Strade Bianche —although he couldn't finish it because of a puncture— and then in the Tyrrhenian-Adriatic. However, there are doubts about his physical condition after this last competition, since he could not keep up with the title contenders in several stages.
A month after his last appearance, the Colombian cyclist has already finalized details for what will be the Tour of the Alps, his last race before facing the Giro d'Italia, which will start on May 6, in Budapest (Hungary), and will finish on the 29th of the same month in Verona.
Through social networks, the organization was responsible for confirming the presence of the Boyacense corridor along with other references from the international squad. Mikel Landa, Chris Froome, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Richie Porte, Thibaut Pinot, Romain Bardet, Wilco Kelderman, Hugh Carthy and Pavel Sivakov are other 'capos' who will be on Italian roads.
“Many top cyclists are preparing to head to the Euroregion in the 45th edition of the Tour of the Alps, from 18 to 22 April. The race remains true to its “cliché” distinction as an exciting and spectacular race, thanks to its challenging and short stages,” the statement reads.
“The roads of the Tyrol-South Tyrol Euregion of Trentino will host a five-day borderless challenge, thus opening the stage racing season after the spring campaign of the northern classics,” they added.
Due to the characteristics of its course, this race is particularly suitable for climbing cyclists. The short days, together with a large number of mountain passes, represent an important examination considering participation in the Giro d'Italia 2022, which, as in previous editions, will prioritize ascents and high finals.
The first stage, for example, will have a 160.9 kilometre route, the longest of this edition, between the towns of Cles and San Martino di Castrozza. The runners will face a second-class port (Passo Brocon) and a third-class port (Passo Gobbera). After this last climb, they will face a couple of levels before reaching the finish line.
Superman Lopez already knows what it's like to get on the podium in the Tour of the Alps. In the 2018 edition, the Pesca-born Boyacá finished third in the overall standings behind Italian Domenico Pozzovivo and Frenchman Pinot, who lifted the title. However, it should be recalled that the first Colombian to appear there was Nelson 'Cacaíto' Rodríguez, who also finished third in 1996.
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