Colombia Bound: Aevolo to start Tour Colombia 2.1, biggest race invite to date

 

Aevolo is beyond thrilled to kick off its 2019 season at the Tour Colombia 2.1, the biggest event in the team’s participation history. The six-day UCI race starts in Medellín on February 12 and concludes with a mountain top finish on Alto de las Palmas. The team will take the start alongside six World Tour teams, seven Pro Continental teams, 12 continental teams and three national teams. 

 

“It’s always an amazing opportunity to race against the best in the world but to have it be our first race of 2019 makes it even more exciting,” Aevolo Team Director Mike Creed said. “We’ll be realistic with our goals but that doesn’t mean we’re just going to sit back either.”

 

Six Aevolo riders will make the trip to Colombia, including Alex Hoehn, reigning U23 road champion. 

 

“Ever since Creed told us we had a chance of going, it’s the only thing I think about,” Hoehn said. “It really shows how far this team has come. We were invited, not just because our jerseys look the coolest, but because we have shown we can compete against some of the best in the world. It means everything to the team. We don’t get many chances like this, so we are going to take advantage of it, go down there and show them what we are made of.”

 

Joining Hoehn is Luis Villalobos, Fernando Islas, and new signings Cade Bickmore, Gabriel Rojas and Riley Sheehan.

 

“I am really excited to start of my season down in Colombia with the team and this being my first pro race,” Sheehan said. “Looking at the course profiles and the team that's coming down I think it should be a good race. I have quite a bit of nerves coming into it, but I think the motivation to train and excitement has been much bigger. As a new rider, I really hope to find my spot or role on the team at this race. It will be a big leap from junior racing, but after having a great time at our training camp early in the year I think we will work together very well.”