Luis Herrera is the first cyclist from South America to ever win a Grand Tour. The Vuelta champion says he is diagnosed with skin cancer and the main reason is sun exposure.
Colombian rider, Herrera, 56, won the Vuelta a Espana in 1987 and since then, his career hasn’t seen any significant obstacle until now. The multi-title winner admitted that his face and arms cancer spots were most likely caused by the lack of precautions taken to protect his skin in the ‘80s.
Herrera also said the first moment he thought something was wrong with his skin, was when he noticed a large stain that had appeared on his forearm. Then, he immediately went to the dermatologist who after a biopsy told him he had skin cancer.
Feeling better
“I’m feeling good. I’m well, but I’m taking great care of my arms and my face,” Herrera told Colombia’s Blu Radio. “Maybe at the time we didn’t take precautions to apply sunblock because there was no time. Sometimes we were sweating a lot,” he added.
According to his doctor, Dr Luque, the former champion had already had invasive cancers before. He admitted Herrera now needs to undergo all the necessary treatments for his skin cancer. Mostly due to the nature of this type of cancer that makes the lesions reappear.
Finally, Herrera warned cyclists as the people that spend a great amount of time exposed to sun rays, to take care of their skin. He believes people should always focus on protecting themselves from the sun as much as possible. “If you don’t look after yourself, no-one will look after you,” he said.
