The Clásico RCN (Spanish for RCN Classic) is an annual cycling road race that takes place over many stages through different regions of Colombia during October. It is organized by the Colombian Cycling Federation.[1]
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | October |
| Region | Colombia |
| English name | RCN Classic |
| Local name(s) | Clásico RCN (in Spanish) |
| Discipline | Road race |
| Competition | UCI |
| Type | Stage race |
| History | |
| First edition | 1961 |
| Editions | 63 (as of 2023) |
| First winner |  Rubén Darío Gómez (COL) |
| Most wins | Rafael Antonio Niño (COL) (5 wins) |
| Most recent | Aldemar Reyes (COL) |
The event is sponsored by Radio Cadena Nacional, which is one of the oldest and largest radio networks in Colombia, and by a network of Colombian business in Medellín "Empresas Públicas de Medellín".[2] The Clásico RCN and the Vuelta a Colombia are the most important stage races in Colombia.[3][4][5]
History edit
The first event was held in 1961 and was won by Rubén Darío Gómez. Many well-known Colombian cyclists have won the event, including Martín Emilio Rodríguez, Fabio Parra, Luis Herrera and Rafael Antonio Niño.
During the 1980s, the Clásico RCN held several "open" events in which professional cycling teams from Europe came and competed in the race.[6] It has been written that the reason for this was for Elite professionals in Europe to get altitude training in the early season in Colombia.[7] Some of the teams competing in the Clásico RCN during the eighties included Peugeot–Shell–Michelin, Renault–Elf–Gitane, Sem–France Loire, La Vie Claire, Zor and Reynolds[6] which resulted in stage wins by Pascal Simon, Laurent Fignon, Bernard Hinault, Charly Mottet and Martial Gayant.[8] In the 1992 edition of the Clásico RCN, the Carrera Jeans–Vagabond and Festina cycling teams competed where Sean Kelly, Claudio Chiappucci, Thomas Wegmüller won stages of the event.[9]
In the history of the event, there has been two times when the overall winner was later disqualified for doping. This happened in 1971 when Álvaro Pachón Morales was disqualified, and the win was given to Rafael Antonio Niño, and also in 1991 when Pablo Emilio Wilches Tumbia was disqualified with the win going to Fabio Hernán Rodríguez Hernández.[10] There was a tragic accident in the 1985 edition of the race when Jorge Iván Ramírez fell during a stage and died later.[11]
Although the Clásico RCN now occurs in October, past events have taken place in March, April, May and August. It began as a two-day event, but its duration and distance were increased and, in 2000, it consisted of ten stages.
Past winners edit
References edit
- ^ "Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo" (in Spanish). Ciclismode Colombia. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
- ^ "2000 Clásico RCN". Cyclingnews. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
- ^ "Clásico RCN". cyclingnews bike zone. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
- ^ "Colombian 2002 Road Calendar". rivals.net – daily peloton.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
- ^ "05 Orbitel is go". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
- ^ a b "Compendio General del Clásico RCN". Archived from the original on 2009-10-26. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
- ^ Rendell, Matt (2002). Kings of the Mountains. Aurum Press. ISBN 1-85410-837-9.
- ^ "Las Glorias de los ochenta engalanaron el recorrido del Clásico RCN". Clásico RCN. Archived from the original on 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
- ^ "En los noventa, la television Hega para darle lustro al Clásico". Clásico RCN. Archived from the original on 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
- ^ "Palmares del Clásico RCN". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
- ^ "Tragedia Ciclista". Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
External links edit
