JOSÉ PATROCINIO JIMÉNEZ

José Patrocinio Jiménez was angry, telling his teammate Edgar Corredor to “stop being an asshole” at the start of the 1983 Tour de France. An overawed Corredor had been asking prominent European riders for their autographs, causing Jiménez to tell him to stop, saying: “We are just as good as them.”



Corredor had good reason to be nervous. That Tour was the first time los escarabajos (meaning ‘the beatles’ – the nickname given to Colombian riders) had competed at the great race together. Amateurs with little knowledge of European tactics, looked down upon by the peloton and even racially discriminated against by fellow riders, the Colombians arrived on a wing and a prayer.



Fortunately they had Jiménez, an explosive rider who took flight when the road kicked up. He took 17th overall, and 2nd in the mountains classification after leading it early on. He even took a 2nd place on a time trial up the Puy de Dôme behind the legendary Spaniard Pedro Delgado.



A precursor to Lucho Herrera’s achievements, his performances were important for the future of Colombian cycling. In dropping Robert Millar on the Col du Tourmalet during one stage, Jiménez had proven that a Colombian could, on the right day, be the greatest climber. It gave belief to his countrymen – and fellow riders – listening on their radios at home.



Patro subsequently turned pro with a Spanish team, taking seventh overall at the Vuelta, before he returned to the now-legendary Café de Colombia squad, where he was road captain during Lucho’s glory years.



With a bulging cabinet of 500 trophies and still living in Boyacá, Jiménez continues to earn his living in cycling, driving photographers around at Colombia’s biggest races. And he’s still great friends with Lucho.