Giro d'Italia logo

BOGOTÁ, Dec 22 (CP) - During a visit to his native country, the Colombian Mauricio Ardila said that Dutch team Rabobank signed him because they needed a cyclist to concentrate on the Giro d'Italia. Ardila, who received a special mentioning at the 'Day of excellence' of the Colombian cycling federation for his performance during the 2005 season, told Colombian television channel RCN: "Rabobank needed a rider for the Giro. They have Denis Menchov for the Vuelta a España and the Tour de France. They needed someone to focus on the Giro and remembered by performance in the Vuelta a España." The cyclist, who rode for Davitamon-Lotto, signed a contract with Rabobank for two seasons, after his good performance at the 2005 editions of the Giro and the Vuelta. During the Day of excellence, Phonak rider Santiago Botero was handed the award of best International Elite rider, for his victory in the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland and his second place in the French Dauphiné Libéré.

© Jonathan Roorda