I could not believe the news that was reaching me and that is why I contacted yesterday afternoon, January 1, with my good friend Jorge Blanco Teleña (Cangas de Onís) who confirmed the bad omens. “Guti” Navarro had passed away, at 44 years of age, a benchmark for cyclocross and mountain biking in the autonomous community. A person closely linked to the world of sport, both at a competitive level – he had a brilliant track record in World Cups and also in Masters category Europeans – and with regard to the organization of events.
I met “Guti” Navarro years ago, when the specialty of duathlon began to become a sensation in our beloved region of Eastern Asturias. The same was in charge of everything when it concerned the organization of the event, in collaboration with local clubs, who put on the sports equipment to demonstrate on the bike and the asphalt that he was one of the best in those pedaling and running races. The last time we met was in the Arriondas duathlon (2019) where he won, how could it be otherwise. Always willing to facilitate the work of the press.
For all this, I will remember him as an athlete like the top of a pine tree. Although short on words, he was much loved among the great cycling “family” and some of his feats have gone down in history for their fair-play, such as the one that occurred in Puente Viesgo (Cantabria), back in 2015, when he gave up – after reaching it – the victory to Ismael Esteban, who was in the lead of the test with the bike on his shoulder due to a breakdown. An unforgettable anecdote that highlighted the enormous human greatness of the athlete from Gijón. A true Champion, with a capital letter.
Let the earth be mild. Rest in peace, Guti.
