17 Ott Diego Arias climbs onto the podium at Popobike: a second place that feels like a lost victory
Chronicle of the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Team, ISB SPORT Ambassador
Despite the season having ended, the Metallurgica Veneta MTB rider was the star in Mexico, dominating the Popobike race until the final 10 kilometers. A bittersweet second place, just 6 seconds behind the winner, capped a race filled with heart and determination.
October 27, 2025, Metepec (MEX) – The Metallurgica Veneta professional MTB team’s season officially concluded with the Roc Marathon, but the allure of the Popobike convinced Diego Arias to return to the starting line, giving the team one last intense thrill in an international event.
The 20th edition of Popobike, held on the slopes of the majestic Popocatépetl volcano, solidified its position as the most important mountain biking event in Puebla and all of Mexico, bringing together more than 2,000 cyclists from across the country, ready to compete on the 65- and 35-kilometer courses.
In the main race, Diego Arias demonstrated great courage and determination, finishing in a commendable second place, just 6 seconds behind the winner, the young Mexican Ricardo Santiago García. The Colombian cyclist, already the winner of the 2024 edition, rode like a lion, attacking on the highest section of the course, at more than 3,000 meters above sea level.
“I felt very good, despite some discomfort from the altitude,” Arias declared immediately after crossing the finish line. “On the descent, I managed to create a gap, and that’s when I felt confident. I had victory within my grasp.”
However, fate had a cruel surprise in store for the champion. Just 10 kilometers from the finish line, a flat tire jeopardized his lead. “It was difficult to repair the tire because the CO2 cartridge wasn’t working properly. I basically had to finish the race with a flat tire, trying to stay on the winner’s wheel. Unfortunately, on the final cyclocross section, the tire almost came off the rim. I had no choice but to settle for second place.”
Despite the disappointment of losing such a dramatic victory, Arias highlighted the positive experience: “I’m still happy. The cycling atmosphere here is fantastic. Popobike is a great race, a sign that mountain biking is gaining popularity in Mexico. I hope to return next year.”
This podium finish marks the end of a chapter for Diego Arias at Popobike, where he finished fourth in his debut in 2014 and second in his second appearance in 2018.
With this final adrenaline rush, the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team bids farewell to 2025 and looks ahead to 2026, a year that will bring several changes to the team’s structure and new projects.