Duarte wins Montañés, mulls offers

Colombian all-rounder Fabio Duarte (Colombia es Pasión-Café de Colombia) says he’s mulling offers from elite pro teams after winning the U23 Circuito Montañés race in northern Spain this week.

Duarte, winner of the U23 world title in Varese in 2008, won the climb-laden stage-race across northern Spain 1:14 ahead of Carlos Oyarzún (Froiz-Chile), with Higinio Fernández (Caja Rural) taking third.

Duarte, who also held the race leader’s jersey in the Vuelta a Asturias pro race earlier this season, says he’s not suffering from a shortage of interest from the top European teams.

“I have various offers from the best elite teams in the world – seven to be exact – and they’re very interesting,” Duarte said. “I want to race the Giro d’Italia. My desire is to go back to Italy to jump into major cycling. That’s my objective and I need to choose the best.”

The Circuito Montañés, won last year by American Tejay Van Garderen, is one of the most demanding espoirs stage races on the calendar.

FILED UNDER: News / Race Report / Road TAGS: Fabio Duarte