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]

Clásico RCN
Race details
DateOctober
RegionColombia
English nameRCN Classic
Local name(s)Clásico RCN (in Spanish)
DisciplineRoad race
TypeStage race
History
First edition1961 (1961)
Editions64 (as of 2024)
First winner Rubén Darío Gómez (COL)
Most wins Rafael Antonio Niño (COL) (5 wins)
Most recent Kevin Castillo (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

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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

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Year Country Rider Team
1961   Colombia Rubén Darío Gómez Camisas Jarcano
1962   Colombia Rubén Darío Gómez Camisas Jarcano
1963   Colombia Martín Emilio Rodríguez Antioquia Blue Bell–Wrangler
1964   Colombia Gabriel Buitrago Antioquia–Cuadernos Bolivariana
1965   Colombia Jesús Suárez Cueva Antioquia Suramericana
1966   Colombia Jesús Suárez Cueva Antioquia Suramericana
1967   Colombia Martín Emilio Rodríguez Antioqua Wrangler–Caribú
1968   Colombia Jairo Grijalba Valle–Canada Dry
1969   Colombia Álvaro Pachòn Morales Cundinamarca Relojes Pierce
1970   Colombia Oscar González Pilsen
1971   Colombia Rafael Antonio Niño Singer
1972   Colombia Albeiro Mejía Caribú
1973   Colombia Juan de Dios Morales Singer
1974   Colombia Norberto Cáceres Ferreteria Reina
1975   Colombia Rafael Antonio Niño Banco Cafetero
1976   Colombia José Jiménez Bautista Banco Cafetero
1977   Colombia Rafael Antonio Niño Banco Cafetero
1978   Colombia Rafael Antonio Niño Benotto
1979   Colombia Rafael Antonio Niño Lotería de Boyacá
1980   Colombia Fabio Navarro Perfumeria Janeth
1981   Colombia Manuel Gutiérrez Bicicletas Ositto
1982   Colombia Luis Herrera Freskola
1983   Colombia Luis Herrera Isla de Aquitania
1984   Colombia Luis Herrera Pilas–Varta
1985   Colombia Francisco Rodriguez Zor
1986   Colombia Luis Herrera Café de Colombia
1987   Colombia Fabio Parra Café de Colombia
1988   Colombia Álvaro Mejía Castalia
1989   Colombia Álvaro Mejía Manzana Postobón
1990   Colombia Gustavo Wilches Manzana Postobón
1991   Colombia Fabio Rodríguez Pony Malta-Avianca
1992   Colombia Alberto Camargo Manzana Postobón
1993   Colombia Luis Alberto González Glacial
1994   Colombia Julio César Aguirre Manzana Postobón
1995   Colombia Raúl Montaña ZG Mobili Glacial
1996   Colombia Israel Ochoa Glacial
1997   Colombia Raúl Montaña Caprecone
1998   Colombia Raúl Montaña Aguardiente Nectar
1999   Colombia Jairo Hernández Orbitel
2000   Colombia Juan Diego Ramírez Orbitel
2001   Colombia Juan Diego Ramírez Orbitel
2002   Colombia José Castelblanco Columbia Selle Italia Alc.Cabimas
2003   Colombia José Castelblanco Columbia Selle Italia Alc.Cabimas
2004   Colombia Hernán Buenahora Orbitel
2005   Colombia Libardo Niño Lotería de Boyacá Coordinadora
2006   Colombia Javier Alberto González EPM Orbitel
2007   Colombia Libardo Niño UNE Orbitel
2008   Spain Óscar Sevilla Rock Racing
2009   Colombia Mauricio Ortega UNE–EPM
2010   Colombia Félix Cárdenas GW Shimano–Chec Edec
2011   Colombia Rafael Infantino EPM–UNE
2012   Spain Óscar Sevilla Formesan–Pinturas Bler–IDRD–Bogotá Humana
2013   Colombia Camilo Gómez Coldeportes Claro
2014   Bolivia Óscar Soliz Movistar Team América
2015   Colombia Omar Mendoza Movistar Team América
2016   Spain Óscar Sevilla EPM
2017   Colombia Juan Pablo Suárez EPM
2018   Colombia Alex Cano Coldeportes–Zenú–Sello Rojo
2019   Spain Óscar Sevilla Medellín
2020   Colombia José Tito Hernández Team Medellín
2021   Colombia Fabio Duarte Team Medellín–EPM
2022   Colombia Aldemar Reyes Team Medellín–EPM
2023   Colombia Aldemar Reyes Team Medellín–EPM
2024   Colombia Kevin Castillo Team Sistecredito

References

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  1. ^ "Federacion Colombiana de Ciclismo" (in Spanish). Ciclismode Colombia. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2007-08-06.
  2. ^ "2000 Clásico RCN". Cyclingnews. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  3. ^ "Clásico RCN". cyclingnews bike zone. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  4. ^ "Colombian 2002 Road Calendar". rivals.net – daily peloton.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  5. ^ "05 Orbitel is go". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
  6. ^ a b "Compendio General del Clásico RCN". Archived from the original on 2009-10-26. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  7. ^ Rendell, Matt (2002). Kings of the Mountains. Aurum Press. ISBN 1-85410-837-9.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Palmares del Clásico RCN". Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
  11. ^ "Tragedia Ciclista". Archived from the original on 2008-04-06. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
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