Things didn’t go well for Colombian-Spanish cycling superstar Oscar Sevilla last Sunday at Gran Fondo Cuidad Musical in Ibagué, Columbia.  The 45 year-old who is still racing at the Continental Pro team level (Team Medellin – EPM) finished second to a suspended EPO doper and was then robbed.

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Sevilla was the guest of honor at the gran fondo for 1000 cyclists and traveled to Ibagué with his family for the weekend cycling festival. 

On Sunday he started late and had to chase the peloton to join the fastest riders up front, including suspended and disgraced Colombian EPO doper Wilmar Paredes.  On the 144 kilometre route Sevilla and Parades eventually dropped their breakaway companions by several minutes, before sprinting for the win.  25 year-old Paredes bested the old man to finish in 3:33:14, with Sevilla behind 1 second.

In Colombia anyone can ride a gran fondo and collect a winners check, including ex-pro cyclists currently suspended by the World Anti Doping Agency.  Paredes payout for winning was 3,000,000 Colombian Pesos or about 700 Euros or 800 US Dollars.  Sevilla’s check was half that amount.

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After the awards ceremony in the afternoon, attended by Sevilla’s good friend Nairo Quintana, Sevilla discovered his car windows had been broken and two suitcases stolen from inside the vehicle.  Immediately, he posted the incident and his frustration on social media, “Unfortunately they just robbed me in Ibague! They broke the windows of my car and took two suitcases,” while specifically tagging the city’s mayor.

Sevilla’s almost three decades long pro racing career started in the 90’s with the Spanish Kelme Costa-Blanca team, before becoming a loyal lieutenant to Tour de France Champion Jan Ulrich at Team Telekom. Since then he has raced for numerous pro teams.  A climber with a pedigree in stage races, Sevilla has finished in the top ten of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España several times.

PHOTOS: Medellin-EPM, Gran Fondo Cuidad Musical 

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