The Argentine Who Reached the Summit of World Cycling

For anyone who has ever gotten on a bicycle to ride casually and enjoy the sport, the Tour de France is a distant, almost unattainable world.

For a professional cyclist, however, it represents the absolute pinnacle of the sport. And for Maximiliano Richeze, one of the most outstanding Argentine athletes in history, it was a dream he managed to turn into reality.

Gold medalist at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games the same year in which he delivered his best performance in the legendary race, finishing fourth in stage 21 (with the finish on the Champs-Élysées) the rider born in Bella Vista passed through Córdoba and reminisced about the race he completed on four occasions.

“The Tour de France is the most important race in the world. It’s the one every cyclist dreams of riding when they turn professional,” Richeze explained about the event, in which only 180 riders make up the peloton each year—the best in the world. “Just being on the start list is very difficult, and for us South Americans, it has always been a special dream,” he added.

The Argentine, who has been living in Italy for many years and was raised in a family deeply connected to cycling, grew up watching the Tour on television.

“I grew up watching the Tour de France and dreaming of being able to race it. Luckily, I was able to fulfill that dream and be present in several editions,” recalled the former cyclist, who competed professionally between 2006 and 2022.

Now retired from competition, he also highlighted the importance of L’Etape Argentina by Tour de France coming to the country: “Having the Tour here is something very positive for everyone who has always wanted to experience it up close,” he emphasized after completing the course that the event will feature, in its two distances (64 kilometers and 134 kilometers, on March 22).

Throughout his career, “Maxi” Richeze experienced unforgettable moments, but one stands out above the rest.

“The Tour de France that gave me the most emotions was the one in 2019. That year I was able to race as the Argentine champion, wearing the national colors,” he said. And he added: “For me, it was incredibly emotional to represent my country in the biggest race in the world.”

But the Argentine flag was once again the protagonist at another key moment in his sporting life: his official farewell from professional cycling, last January.

On that occasion, colleagues and teammates formed a guard of honor for him, in a scene filled with symbolism. “It was very emotional it was exactly what I needed to close that chapter of my life,” said the 42-year-old former athlete.

“Doing it in Argentina, in front of so many people friends, family, and riders with whom I shared years in the peloton

Career highlights. Maxi Richeze achieved important victories such as the Argentine Road Championship (2019), gold medals at the Pan American Games (Track, 2015; Road, 2019). A sprinter and lead-out man, he is considered one of the best in the world in that specialty.

was very special. That recognition, especially from my peers, allowed me to close my career in peace,” he recalled.

“Maxi” Richeze and His Cycling School

Based in northern Italy, where he lives most of the year, Richeze is now focused on giving back to cycling everything it gave him. “I started a cycling school to pass on the experience I gained. I try to help young riders with things I lacked when I was young and to develop them not only as athletes, but also as people,” he explained.

His connection with Argentina remains strong. “For me, it would be a dream to bring that project to our country,” he said, confirming that talks are already well advanced: “We are working with Jorge Chica and the FACPyR (Argentine Federation of Track and Road Cycling) on a project to create a cycling school here, because there is a real need to work much more with the grassroots and young riders.”

Asked about the growth of recreational cycling in the country and the difficulties of making the leap to high performance, Richeze was clear in expressing his view: “It’s a sport that requires a lot of sacrifice, training, and patience. Results don’t come overnight.”

He also highlighted a structural issue that affects not only cycling: “It’s an expensive sport and a lot of support is needed, especially for young riders, so they can train without worrying about equipment or travel.”

When it came time to make a final assessment, the rider who competed in four Tours de France, eight Giro d’Italia, and four Vuelta a España appearances left no doubts.

“I don’t feel like there’s anything left unfinished. I gave a lot to cycling, and cycling gave me so much in return,” he said calmly.

And he concluded: “I retired at peace, knowing that I gave everything.”

The Route of L’Etape Argentina by Tour de France

March 22 will be the day when the peloton crosses the mountain ranges and rides through the geography of Córdoba. Last Tuesday, however, “Maxi” Richeze had the opportunity to ride the course and shared his impressions for those who will take part in the event, in either of the two distances.

“It’s a fairly demanding circuit. You have to be well prepared because it’s a mixed route, with constant ups and downs. There’s a fairly long climb followed by a ‘technical’ descent. It’s a very fun circuit, with 1,800 meters of elevation gain on the longer route, so for those choosing that distance, I recommend having a solid training base,” the expert explained.

He also pointed out which section seemed the toughest: “I think it’s the climb at El Cuadrado (Camino del Cuadrado). In Argentina, we’re not very used to that type of climb, and it could be more than an hour of sustained effort. My recommendation for that climb is to start at a steady pace, because otherwise it can become very difficult later on.”

Source: La Voz del Interior