Will Botero be back?

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Colombian Santiago Botero (ex T-Mobile) admitted that he longed to have been able to participate in the 2006 Tour de France, adding at the same time that the conflicts of interests that exist in cycling could spell its death. Botero will not race in Europe due to his new squad, Colombian Continental UNE-Orbitel's inability to participate in the Tour de France or the Vuelta a España. Nevertheless, he's not worried over being in a non-ProTour squad.

Botero indicated to the local press that he will study whether or not he can return to the European peloton at the end of this season. "Only if there are possibilities and interesting proposals to return," he noted. "What I know clearly is that I will race in the Olympic Games in Beijing."

His main goals for 2007 are centred on the Vuelta a Colombia, the national championships and the World Championships. Botero continues training hard to successfully confront the abrupt changes of the local races after such a long time competing in Europe.