Colombia's northernmost department is about to get its biggest sporting spotlight yet. La Crono de Rigo, the time-trial cycling event founded by former pro rider Rigoberto Uran, will head to La Guajira for the first time on March 5-7, 2027 — and the peninsula's deserts, coastlines and famous winds will make it one of the toughest editions yet.

The announcement came at the Giro de Rigo gathering in Cali, in front of roughly 10,000 cyclists and fans, where La Guajira's governor Jairo Aguilar Deluque joined Uran on stage. The 2027 edition will be the event's fourth, following stops in Pereira (2024), San Andres (2025) and Ibague (2026). Organisers have branded the La Guajira round "La Crono de Rigo Wayuu", a nod to the Indigenous community whose culture defines the region.

This isn't a conventional road race. La Crono de Rigo is built around time trials — typically teams of three riders plus individual and team time trial stages, with overall results decided by combined times. That format rewards strategy and teamwork as much as raw fitness. In La Guajira, riders will also have to handle high temperatures, coastal terrain and the strong winds the peninsula is known for, which should make for genuinely unpredictable racing.

For local authorities, the event is part of a deliberate push to move beyond the region's sun-and-beach image. A promotional campaign called Discover La Guajira was rolled out alongside the announcement, highlighting the department's beaches, desert scenery, mountains and the traditions of its communities. Hotels, restaurants, transport providers and tour operators are all expecting a boost over the competition weekend, as athletes arrive with families and support crews in tow.

Why should a traveller care? Even if you never clip into a set of pedals, the event is a ready-made excuse to see a part of Colombia many visitors skip. March falls in the region's drier stretch, and the combination of desert, Caribbean shoreline and Wayuu culture — weaving, handicrafts, traditional cuisine — makes for a trip that feels far removed from Cartagena or the coffee region. Expect a festive atmosphere, roadside crowds and an easy way to meet locals if you time a visit around the race dates.

If you're a cyclist, the event typically includes amateur categories, so riding it yourself is a realistic goal with enough training — though you'd want to prepare specifically for heat and wind. If you're a spectator, pairing the race weekend with trips to Cabo de la Vela or the flamingo reserves nearby turns a sports trip into a proper holiday.