Efrain ‘Zipa’ Forero, who was the first champion Return to Colombia in 1951passed away this Monday in Bogotá confirmed EL TIEMPO.
Forero was one of the pioneers of Colombian cycling, so much so that he was one of those who supported the idea of carrying out the return to Colombia, that was born in the writing of this newspaper.
(James Rodríguez: the scandalous devaluation of the ’10’ of the Colombian National Team)
(Byron Castillo: the confession that complicates his case before Fifa)
his early years
Zipaquirá, Cundinamarca, was born on March 4, 1930, for which he was known as the ‘Indomitable zipa’, a seasoned runner, an excellent climber who always thought of winning.
Efraín Forero was the one who recognized the layout of the first Tour of Colombia, which ended in the country’s capital on January 17, 1951, when it had started ten days earlier at the facilities of TIME located at that time on Avenida Jiménez in the country’s capital.
That competition had a route of 1,254 kilometers and was imposed after more than 45 hours of pedaling. And that same year he won the gold medal on the route of the Bolivarian Gamesyes But that was not his first victory.
Forero always said that on August 3, 1948, the Day of the Martyrs was celebrated in Zipaquirá and, on that occasion, a Double to Colombia, a competition that traveled the road to Bogota, according to the book Los reyes de la Vuelta a Colombia.
The winner was Forero, who outperformed his rivals riding a tourist bike. He beat experienced men and the likes of Eduardo Rozo and Bernando Villaquirán. Perhaps that was the beginning of the great cyclist that he was.
His first title as a cyclist outside the country occurred in 1950, when he was part of the Colombian National Team, which won gold in the team pursuit of the 1950 Central American and Caribbean Games, by defeating Cuba. Forero joined that squad alongside Luis Ortiz, Rozo and Jaime Tarquino.
He married on January 4, 1956 with Ligia Rey, from whose union Ligia Marlen, Doris Amparo and Efrain Alberto.
He was four-time champion of the national route (1950, 1953, 1954 and 1958), but without a doubt the Vuelta title was the race that led him to stardom and for which he became famous.
In 1961 he gave up cycling. He hung up his bicycle and dedicated himself to being one of the salesmen at the Andean beer factory. He returned to cycling when he went to live in Cali, this time as a coach, because in that city he set up an agency for the brewery.
Later, he became a technician. He was in charge of the Singer team, but the squadron was disintegrated in 1977, so the ‘Zipa’ became unemployed again.
He dedicated himself to mechanics and drove a bus that he did not own until 1977, when he was hired as the cycling coach of the Boyaca League.
Pioneer of women’s cycling
He was in charge of giving the opportunity to cyclists like Israel ‘Pinocchio’ Corridor, when he was in charge of the Minobras club team, where he worked until 1983. A year before, he set up the first women’s team in Colombia, after receiving the support of Manuel Arias, owner of a bicycle workshop.
Nelly Alba, the ‘Condorita’ Runner and Luz Mery Tristán they were some of his pupils, who were part of a strong group that was born later with the support of Postobón.
He was the coach of the group in el Women’s Tour de France in 1987, but the group did not continue due to internal problems. According to Forero, the brokers spoke ill of him, but the firm supported him.
Efraín Forero remarried, this time with Rubiela Bermúdez, with whom he had Sandra Yaneth, Francia Jeannine and Efraín Mauricio.
He lived in the Fontibón neighborhood of Bogotá. A couple of years ago he was in poor health, after being infected by covid-19.
goodbye to Efrain Forero and thank you for having been not only the ‘Indomitable zipa’, but also the pioneer of Colombian cycling.
(Piqué, on guard: the sablazo that they would dedicate to him in the new Shakira song)
(Remco Evenepoel receives a gift from a Real Madrid star, video)
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