If bike races were held in arenas, we would hang Rigo’s jersey from our rafters. Fourteen victories, including stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a España, and the Tour de France, an Olympic medal, and overall podiums at the Giro and the Tour – Rigo always transcended his terrific list of results. He was number one in the hearts of millions of fans, our riders’ reference point, a calm voice in the bus, who showed us how to face up to our hardest days on the bike with a smile and compete at the highest level, while balancing the demands of pro sport with a healthy, sucessful life.

Every day, Rigo has inspired us to be better bike racers and better human beings. Although Rigo endured real hardship when, at just age 14, his father was murdered, Rigo never let bitterness get the better of him and instead sought to pass on every kindness that he was shown, helping young South Americans get their start in the pro ranks and making great friends in the peloton. When our team almost folded the year he’d finished second at the Tour de France, Rigo stuck to his contract, despite being released to seek other teams, and helped usher in a new era with EF Education First.

From now on, we will race to live up to his legacy. We will be his legacy. As he retires, we can’t hang Rigo’s jersey from the rafters of a stadium, but the lessons we learned from Rigo will forever be sewn into EF pink.

It’s been an honor sharing the road with you, Rigo. Gracias.