Published on Thursday, May 8, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A "Tico" road cyclist (a term used for a native of Costa Rica), Andrey Amador, claimed victory Tuesday in the Titan Desert of Morocco, a grueling multi-stage race held in the North African desert.

Amador, one of the most celebrated newcomers to the event recently, was crowned the winner during the competition’s 20th anniversary. He seized the lead on day three and maintained control of the race with consistent, powerful performances.

In his debut appearance, Amador finished with a time of 15 hours and 46 minutes. Pilar Fernandez from Spain won the female category with a time of 18 hours and 26 minutes.

The Titan Desert Morocco features a 550-kilometer route, attracting over 500 competitors annually. The six-stage event spans six days, challenging riders with harsh terrain across desert, mountains, and dunes, passing through towns including Merzouga, Ait Ben Said, and Tazlarte.

Amador, long considered a pioneer in Costa Rican cycling, was the country’s flag bearer at the 2011 Pan American Games opening ceremony. That same year, he became the first Costa Rican to compete in the Tour de France.

His international accolades include a dramatic victory in Stage 14 of the 2012 Giro d’Italia, where he broke away during the descent before the final climb. In 2013, he secured an 8th-place overall finish at Tirreno-Adriatico. During the 2016 Giro d’Italia, Amador became the first Costa Rican to lead a Grand Tour.  In 2023, Amador was racing with the American professional team EF Education–EasyPost.

In 2024, Amador announced his retirement from professional team cycling to focus on competing as an independent rider.

In other sports news, the adaptive athlete Amalia Ortuño earned first place at the Wodapalooza Adaptive CrossFit Games in Miami Beach, Florida.

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Have you heard of any Tico cyclists seeking support to compete in international races? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com