David Montalvo: I think my destiny is to pedal | Other Sports | sports

With eight years in cycling, the 2021 season brings the best performance for Diego Montalvo (Saitel), after winning the mountain classification in the Tour of Ecuador, the first modality defined before the final circuit in Quito, this Wednesday.

The carchense cyclist started at age 15, but account that returned from “retirement” and that is now gaining momentum in his career.

The lack of support and equipment to register meant that in In 2016 I decided to get away from the sport of pedal, He tried to join the military, but did not pass the medical examinations, then he had “a new opportunity” and this 2021 obtains a coveted title between the platoon.

“It was not my personal goal to win the mountain because I was looking for the general classification, unfortunately it could not be achieved, but still I am satisfied with the performance”Said the cyclist from El Ángel, in Carchi.

The Goat won the seventh stage, on the route between Tulcán and Cayambe, a day in which he managed to take off from the peloton and define the sprint with Lenín Montenegro (Movistar Team Ecuador).

“With the team we had planned this day in Cayambe and we were able to get it. We tried it in the sixth stage, but in the end it did not reach us. I am calm with the mountain classification, because it is a very valuable shirt, “said the 23-year-old.

Today Montalvo savors success, but between 2016 and 2018 he had to look for other activities, complete their academic training and even change their professional projection.

“For the lack of support I was retired for two years, I went to the sub-23 category and there were no teams, then you think about what to do with your life. I tried to join the army but it didn’t happen, I think my destiny was to pedal”, He counts between smiles.

Montalvo highlights the performance of his squad, “a team that is showing progress” and that in addition to the mountain title adds the leadership of the sub-23 with Anderson Irua. “They are two t-shirts, two classifications for a young team, looking to grow”, He indicated.

As the team’s achievements stand out, the Goat lament the losses of Benjamín Quinteros and Steven Haro, which could not be qualified by Saitel for this test, after having run the season in the Spanish amateurisno. Haro could only be qualified by his federation and leads the Vuelta with Team Pichincha, of Sports Concentration.

“The team arrived reduced, we lacked cyclists who could contribute with experience and with whom we could have fought the general, but a great job was done. I think this victory leaves us calm, “he said.

As a few seasons ago, his future is uncertain again, waiting to “talk” with the leadership of Saitel.

“This is my second year with the team, I look forward to a meeting to see what can be had next year. The team has given me the opportunity to show myself and we hope I can continue like this ”, concluded the now best climber in national cycling. (D)