Olympic medal poker!

Four Olympic medalists are participating in the fifth edition of La Rioja Bike Race presented by Shimano.

The race ambassador, Carlos Coloma, bronze medalist in Rio de Janeiro in 2016; José Antonio Hermida, race ambassador for the Andalucía Bike Race presented by Shimano, and the Athens 2004 silver medalist; and two former professional footballers, Luis Enrique Martínez and Roberto Solozábal, both gold medalists in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Roberto Solozábal, who’s passionate about mountain biking, as proven by his multiple entries in this type of stage racing, and for his presence in past editions of the Andalucía and La Rioja Bike Race presented by Shimano, returns to the Rioja race — this time with former player and former Futbol Club Barcelona coach, Luis Enrique Martínez.

Luis Enrique makes his debut

Carlos Coloma, Riojan cyclist and race ambassador, will play host to the Athens silver medalist and friend, Jose Antonio Hermida, and to the ex- professional football players, Solozábal and Luis Enrique. The latter, Asturian by birth who has called Barcelona home for many years now, Luis Enrique Martinez, is noted for his love of sports, and of cycling in general. He developed his professional career linked to the Futbol Club Barcelona. He got his start with Sporting de Gijón and then Real Madrid CF, then went international with the Spanish national team and won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. For his part, Roberto Solozábal has played for the Spanish National Football Team on 12 occasions and was captain of that 1992 Olympic team with which he won the gold medal. He is accompanied by his former teammate and fellow gold medalist at La Rioja Bike Race presented by Shimano.