That, to me, is the key word here. Process. Manzana Postobon is a small team. The team picked and helped develop some of the very best cyclists racing today. But it took time. Sometimes a it takes a long time for the fruits of that labor to be visible. So my question to you is, does the sponsor understand, realistically, what the team can, and perhaps can't accomplish in high-level races in Europe at this point?

They do understand. They do. We've educated them about the growth that is needed in the sport, and how the process works. So we've always made sure that everyone's feet are firmly planted on the ground. For example, it would be downright silly of us to say that we are going for the GC at the Vuelta, and we want to win five stages. Impossible. Just silly. But we can outline realistic goals, and let everyone know what is possible, and still dream big.

Which brings up something I've noticed among Colombian cycling fans. And much of the press. Some of them are well informed, know the history of the sport, and yet fail to realize what is, and is not possible for certain riders and certain teams. Perhaps it's not about managing expectations, but simply educating people about the realities of the sport.

Yes. Absolutely. That's something we've always known, and something we've worked on, educating the public. In part because cycling is once again gaining popularity in Colombia, and with that comes a new audience. So that's part of our charter, to educate fans about the sport. About the different roles that riders within a race have, about the different types of races, and what kind of rider they are suited for. That type of thing.

Which makes me think of something you as a team have done, which is to focus and work on disciplines and aspects of racing that Colombian teams have sort of ignored in the past. Time trials, cross winds, sprinting, as well as having interest in the kind of races that take place in Belgium, versus solely mountain stages.

Yes, because we want to develop Colombian cyclists that are more complete. For example, something as simple as descending. We know that if you can't descend well, you can't win. So we are aware of what a rider's strength is, we don't ignore that, but we make sure they work on other areas. On the flats, for example. And that's something that we start with them from the start, from when they are very young. That's something that we've always liked about working with young riders. They can learn. The older riders get, the harder it is to reset their hard drive, if you will. So that's one thing that I've always felt we have going for us.

Forgive me for jumping ahead a good bit. But if you and I speak a day or a week after the Vuelta is over, what will you consider to have been a successful race for the team. What does a good Vuelta a España look like for Manzana Postobon?

That we fought and did everything we could on every stage. That we fought for the young rider's classification, maybe for the mountains classification. And more importantly, to be protagonists. To be part of the race, and to play a part in some stages. That, to me, would be a real success. To be sure that we are seen, and to make it known that we are there. Yes, we are a small team. We are a young team, but we give it all, and have no regrets in the end. And I'm confident that we'll do that in Spain. For our team, for our sponsor, and for all of Colombia. Because we know that we represent our sponsors, but also our country. And we are very proud of that.