Colombia es Pasión-Coldeportes aiming for the Tour of California

Colombian outfit Colombia es Pasión-Coldeportes is looking to poarticipate in next year's Tour of California. The president of the UCI, Pat McQuaid, has underlined his support for the team. In a personal conversatiuon with the communications director of the team, Héctor Urrego Caballero, McQuad assured that he will be pleading to have the "red train," as the team from Columbia is affectionately known, included in the 2009 Tour of California.

Caballero is currently in California as a special envoy for Colombia es Pasión-Coldeportes. He is making contact with AEG, the company that runs the Tour of California, and the Tour's director, Andrew Messick. Messick has shown a great interest in adding the Colombian team to the start list next year.

McQuaid emphasized, "I will put all my support behind the participation of Colombia es Pasión-Coldeportes because I want a South American in this race. I understand that Colombia es Pasión-Coldeportes is very interested in coming in 2009. I know them, I know their results, and I will do everything I can so that the team will be present here next year."

The team was naturally delighted by the support of McQuaid and is hoping to be able to mix it up with some of the ProTour teams next year.